International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Governors Visited FMU
— Sharing Insights on Radiation Medicine and Disaster Medicine with the World —
Ambassadors from the Philippines, Chile, Ghana and Thailand who serve on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, visited Fukushima Medical University (FMU) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, accompanied by Ambassador H.E. Mr. Atsushi Kaifu (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna).
This marked the third time that FMU has hosted a visit under the IAEA’s Governors Invitation Program by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), FMU and the IAEA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2012 and launched cooperative projects in the field of human health. Since then, cooperation between FMU and the IAEA has steadily deepened through joint projects in radiation medicine education, radiation disaster medicine, and various other research activities.
This visit aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of FMU’s activities following the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident and Japan’s approaches to the peaceful use of nuclear energy in medicine.
The welcome ceremony was attended by Prof. Seiichi Takenoshita (President and Chief Executive of FMU), Prof. Shunichi Yamashita (Vice President), Prof. Seiji Yasumura (Executive Director of Radiation Medicine Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey), and Prof. Yoshiyuki Suzuki (Chief Professor of Department of Radiation Oncology), and other distinguished guests.
President Takenoshita stated, “I hope the cooperative relationship between FMU and the IAEA will continue to develop.” In response, Ambassador Kaifu remarked, “FMU plays an important role in promoting the medical applications of nuclear energy. Through this visit, I am confident that we will strengthen our commitment to Fukushima.”
In the workshop, Prof. Arifumi Hasegawa, Chief Professor of the Department of Radiation Disaster Medicine, guided participants through the Radiation Disaster Medical Center and explained FMU’s medical response to radiation exposure following the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident.
Prof. Yasumura then introduced the Fukushima Health Management Survey, a long-term program designed to monitor the health of local residents in Fukushima after the disaster.
Prof. Shiga and Prof. Takahashi of the Advanced Clinical Research Center presented the medical application of nuclear energy including the latest research findings on cancer treatments using the radionuclide astatine.
Furthermore, Prof. Suzuki introduced the activities of “the Japanese Network of Cooperation in Radiation Medicine for Rays of Hope”, a network of 16 institutions in Japan participating in the IAEA-led cancer care support initiatives. FMU serves as the liaison office of the network and functions as an anchor centre in the Asia-Pacific region, leading efforts to improve the quality of cancer care in low- and middle- income countries.
During the visit, participants engaged in active discussions on a wide range of the FMU’s initiatives, including radiation medicine, nuclear disaster medical care, health surveys, and nuclear medicine.
FMU is highly regarded for its extensive expertise and knowledge accumulated through the unprecedented triple disaster, as well as for the invaluable contributions it makes to the safety and sustainable development of the international community.
This visit is expected to further strengthen cooperation with the IAEA and continued advancement of international collaboration.
Front row: Ambassador H.E. Ms. Matilda Aku Alomatu Osei-Agyeman (Ghana), Ambassador H.E. Ms. Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo Bernas (Philippines), Ambassador H.E. Mr. Atsushi Kaifu (Japan), FMU President Prof. Seiji Takenoshita, Ambassador H.E. Mr. Alex Wetzig (Chile), Ambassador H.E. Ms. Pattarat Hongtong (Thailand)
Back row: FMU representatives
Japanese version is here.