Technology related to medicine and medical treatment has advanced rapidly in recent years. This has enabled the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illnesses that were previously untreatable and brought on great benefits to the society. On the other hand, technological advances have also led to emergence of new ethical, legal and social issues. For examples, issues related to prenatal diagnoses and elective abortions as well as end of life care or withholding and termination of life support have been raised and debated in the field of medicine.  Furthermore, many examples can be drawn from the field of public health such as prioritization of immunization for newly emerging infectious diseases. In such an environment, there is a pressing need to examine and address these issues through research and education in the area of medical ethics (education of students, medical researchers, and healthcare practitioners).

Along with the rapid advancement mentioned above, medical technology has also become increasingly complex. In addition, we face other challenges such as a shortage of healthcare professionals. In order to avoid medical errors in such environment, there is a growing need in Japan to secure and enforce medical safety management. Furthermore, there is an increased demand globally for research and education on safe medical practices as well as ways to address medical accidents.

These rapid changes surpass the boundaries of the traditional theoretical framework and force us to reexamine of current public policy. Our laboratory aims to bring together researchers, practitioners and public administrators in a variety of fields to study medical ethics and medical safety issues and to suggest policy improvements. Based on the integrated, inter-disciplinary knowledge we gain, we will suggest training topics, create educational materials, and conduct educational seminars.