Award Ceremony for the Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize

On January 17, 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba attended the seventh award ceremony for the Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his address:

“This is Prime Minister.

I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the awards under the prestigious Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize today, and I also extend my sincere appreciation to all those involved in the review process.

What underpins the improvement in the quality of medical care is cutting-edge research and development (R&D) efforts. In order to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people, it is important to advance R&D conducive to the world’s highest level of medical care and create new industries that support a society of health and longevity, thereby driving sustainable growth.

Dr. Matsushima, Dr. Yoshie, and Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., all of whom have developed a leukemia medicine, as well as all the other award winners, have made great achievements that go out on the international scene. I express my heartfelt respect for your efforts.

Your accomplishments have once again made me realize the real strength of Japan’s R&D. The Government, for its part, will help foster drug discovery clusters and develop environments to speed up R&D efforts, for example by encouraging the launch of startups, building bridges with universities and other institutions, and attracting private investment.

The development of Japan in the time to come depends on how we can utilize medical care, nursing care and welfare, disaster management, and other fields, along with agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as engines of growth and transform them into industries. In this sense, I believe that your winning of the awards this time is extremely meaningful.

In closing, I would like to extend my best wishes for your continued success. Sincere congratulations.”