Director’s message

Dr. Mitsuo Ochi

Director, Organization of the Leading Graduate Education Program,
President, Hiroshima University

In the process of contributing to the recovery of Hiroshima after the atomic bombing, we have developed as a comprehensive research university with a particular mission, inheriting the spirit of ‘A single unified university, free and pursuing peace’ set forth by its first president, Tatsuo Morito. Through this process, we have accumulated the results of research, both on the impact of radiation on human health, including from radiation medicine, and results from social scientific research on disaster recovery. Since 2004, we have also worked to improve the radiation medical system in Japan as a national hub for radiation disaster emergency medicine.

When the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident occurred in 2011, Hiroshima University dispatched radiation medicine support teams comprising over 1,300 staff members who engaged in various support activities. They utilized accumulated experience and knowledge to the fullest extent for the people of Fukushima.

Reflecting this experience, in 2011 our university established the doctoral program ‘Phoenix Leader Education Program for Renaissance from Radiation Disaster’ . This program aims to develop global leaders who can resolve the global issue of recovery from radiation disasters based on an interdisciplinary academic field that transcends the traditional framework of academic and research disciplines. By combining the collective efforts of our university, which aims to be a world-class comprehensive research university, we intend to establish graduate education programs which serve as global standards to support the safety and security of people around the world. To nurture human resources able to share in our aim, we have developed a graduate student support system that allows our students to fully devote themselves to their studies. We welcome those willing and able to share our dreams and hopes.

Program Director’s message

TSUGA Kazuhiro 
Executive Vice President
(Community Collaboration, Funding and Alumni Associations)

Radiation disasters have a major impact on society, including health damage, environmental pollution, and reputational damage. Recovery from a radiation disaster requires not only knowledge and skills across a wide range of fields, but also human resources who can grasp the essence of a situation from a broad perspective and who possess strong will and leadership skills to confront these challenging issues. Since radiation disasters have an impact on a global scale, cooperation with the international community and international institutions is also indispensable.

The Phoenix Leader Education Program (Hiroshima Initiative) for Renaissance from Radiation Disaster was established through the mobilized efforts of Hiroshima University, an institution which has developed its expertise in radiation disaster response starting with the reconstruction of Hiroshima, the first city to ever be hit by an atomic bomb. Hiroshima University drew on these decades of experience when sending experts, support, and systems of collaboration in response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Students in the program acquire knowledge and skills in a wide range of fields, and also deepen their practical skills through on-site fieldwork in Fukushima and other areas affected by a radiation disaster, as well as internship programs at international institutions. Hiroshima University has devoted maximum effort to building this exceptional research program, the only one of its kind in the world, into an internationally-recognized and world-renowned graduate school program.

It is my sincere hope that the leaders cultivated through this program will inspire and support those affected by disasters and will contribute to the restoration of a safe and secure global society.