On December 20, 2021, Okayama University was certificated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology　(MEXT) as a one of the core centers for translational research in Japan. MEXT has overseen numbers of projects to support translational research* for more than ten years. (*translational research: researches conducted by either university or research institution with the ultimate goal of implementing a novel therapy that was based on unique basic-research results and unmet medical needs. MEXT has supported institutions throughout the research process, from the discovery and cultivation of research seeds to the stage of development research including non-clinical and clinical studies.) In March 2021, MEXT announced a new project wherein it would support institutions that meet certain requirements as translational research centers with the aim of linking outstanding basic research findings to innovative medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and so on, continuously for the health of nation.

Including Okayama University, eleven institutions were selected from across Japan for the project; they were Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, University of Tsukuba, National Cancer Center Japan, The University of Tokyo, Keio University, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Osaka University, and Kyushu University.

Based on academic research seeds created mainly in Chugoku and Shikoku regions, Okayama University is striving to ensure the well-being of people of all ages and so that contributing to the SDGs through supporting the development of them as practical medical devices, pharmaceuticals and so on in a consistent manner.
　
The list of the translational research centers in Japan and more information is available on the MEXT website.