Akihiko Ozaki

• MD PhD
• Specially Appointed Professor at Fukushima Medical University

Abstract Background Little information is available concerning how patient delay may be affected by mass disasters. The main objectives of the present study are to identify whether there was a post-disaster increase in the risk of experiencing patient delay among breast cancer patients in an area affected by the 2011 triple disaster in Fukushima, J...

Background: Minimizing the interval from symptom onset to treatment commencement is essential for a favorable outcome among breast cancer (BC) patients. This study examined whether provider interval (time elapsed from first consultation to treatment initiation) lengthened among BC patients after Japan's 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disast...

Objectives Little is known regarding how natural disasters affect patients with cancer in low-income and middle-income countries. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of the 2015 Nepal earthquake on the admission of patients with cancer at a core medical institution in Kathmandu. Design, setting and participants We considere...

Objective This study investigated payments made by pharmaceutical companies to oncology specialists in Japan, what the payments were for and whether the receipt of such payments contravened any conflict of interest (COI) regulations. Design, setting and participants Payment data to physicians, as reported by all pharmaceutical companies belonging...

Importance Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are important in advancing the quality of medical care. Financial relationships between physicians and pharmaceutical companies may influence clinical practice. In accordance with the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association guidelines for transparency, pharmaceutical company payments to physicia...

Objectives: Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools can enhance the quality and efficiency of medical research, but their improper use may result in plagiarism, academic fraud and unreliable findings. Transparent reporting of GAI use is essential, yet existing guidelines from journals and institutions are inconsistent, with no standardised p...

Background: Contraceptive counseling for cancer patients, especially during periods of treatment-induced amenorrhea, is often overlooked. This can lead to unexpected pregnancies with significant implications for patient care and outcomes. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 38-year-old BRCA2-positive breast cancer patient who experienced an un...

Objectives: While health disparities affecting sexual minority women are well-documented globally, little is known about cancer screening behaviors among sexual minority women in Japan. Following our previous study on breast cancer screening, this study examined cervical cancer screening participation patterns and compared screening behaviors betwe...

Background Maintaining a high participation rate is crucial for effective colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The COVID‐19 pandemic placed a significant burden on healthcare facilities, which hindered CRC screening efforts. However, the effects of the prolonged pandemic on CRC screening remain unclear. Methods We analyzed data from the Japan COVID‐...

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common menstrual disorder that can significantly impact the physical, emotional, and social well-being of affected women. However, PMS remains a neglected problem in Afghanistan, with limited data on its prevalence and impact. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PMS and the more severe premen...

Importance Policies on conflicts of interest (COI) and funding are essential to reduce the risk of bias in the guideline development process. Objective To collate and review the content related to COI and funding policies from guideline development handbooks. Study design and setting We searched PubMed from its inception until September 10, 2021,...

The US (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-accelerated approval pathway facilitates early access to oncology drugs based on surrogate endpoints, with required confirmatory post-marketing trials. However, regulatory decisions vary globally, with some drugs withdrawn in the US remaining approved in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis o...

Conspiracy theories in the health domain can potentially erode trust in public health institutions and experts, resulting in non-compliance with public health guidelines and recommendations. This article aims to uncover and describe the widespread conspiracy theories associated with the pharmaceutical industry in Poland, while characterising the in...

PURPOSE Conflicts of interest (COIs) in medical research can introduce biases affecting research integrity. This study investigated the scale and disclosure of COIs among Japanese authors of cancer clinical trials. METHODS Fifty-eight cancer randomized controlled trials from 2020, involving 226 Japanese authors, were systematically abstracted and...

Prolonged evacuation after disasters increases the risks of diseases and challenges in healthcare access. This study aimed to analyze changes in life expectancy (LE) and years of life lost (YLL) in Fukushima Prefecture after the Great East Japan Earthquake. LE and YLL were calculated based on a dataset of 276,314 deaths in Fukushima Prefecture from...

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals face significant health disparities worldwide, particularly in preventive medicine. In Japan, where breast cancer has the highest incidence rate among women, understanding screening behaviors among LGBTQ individuals is crucial for improving public health outcomes. This study aimed t...

Background Financial conflicts of interest (FCOIs) between pharmaceutical companies and clinical practice guideline (CPG) authors can influence guideline recommendations, posing challenges to patient care. Despite global concerns, limited research exists on FCOI awareness among healthcare professionals in lower‐middle‐income countries like Nepal....

(1) Background: It has been reported that people affected by COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, suffer from various diseases, after infection. One of the most serious problems is the increased risk of developing diabetes after COVID-19 infection. However, a treatment for post-COVID-19 infection diabetes has not yet been establish...

Japan's conditional/time‐limited early approval program, initiated in 2014, aimed to advance regenerative medicine by expediting market access. However, the withdrawal of autologous skeletal myoblast sheets (Heartsheet) due to ineffectiveness raises concerns about the balance between rapid approval and scientific integrity. While the program seeks...

The G7 Hiroshima Summit (May 19-21, 2023) established the "G7 Hiroshima Vision for Fair Access to Medical Countermeasures (MCMs)", which includes vaccines, drugs, and antidotes for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear emergencies. The Summit also led to the creation of the "Medical Countermeasures Delivery Partnership." This initiative a...

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident in 2011 primarily caused indirect adverse effects. Even the indirect adverse effects of radiation/nuclear disasters sometimes lead to death. Japan compensates for disaster-related deaths under the legally enshrined disaster condolence grant system. Studies on disaster-related deaths in area...

In radiological disasters, evacuating institutionalized individuals such as hospitalized patients and nursing home residents presents complex challenges. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident, triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), exposed critical issues in evacuation planning. This case series investigates the e...

An accurate understanding of the population is essential for the development of medical care and social resources. However, the development of transportation networks has increased temporal and spatial fluctuations in the population, making it difficult to accurately forecast medical care demand, especially during disaster recovery. This study exam...

The first Better evidence and RecommendatIons for the next Generation HealTh—BRIGHT symposium was held in Chongqing, China between June 21 and 23, 2024. The symposium did not only showcase the recent progress made by multidisciplinary teams in generating and translating evidence for children's healthcare, guideline development and evaluation, and t...

On January 1, 2024, an earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, causing significant casualties and displacement. The Noto Peninsula has a high aging rate, with 49.5% of its population aged 65 or older. This case study focuses on a 68-year-old woman who developed aspiration pneumonia a...

(1) Background: It has been reported that people affected by COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, suffer from various diseases, after infection. One of the most serious problems is the increased risk of developing diabetes after COVID-19 infection. However, a treatment for post-COVID 19 infection diabetes has not yet been establish...

(1) Background: The development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its associated symptoms is recognized as one of the complications of COVID-19 infection. Polyphenols have so far been extracted from Ficus pumila L. leaves, stems and fruits, and these bioactive compounds exhibit multiple therapeutic activities.; (2) Methods: In this study, w...

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, planning appropriate healthcare resource allocation was crucial. However, accurately estimating medical care demand was challenging due to substantial population fluctuations caused by extensive evacuations, compounded by the inaccuracy of conventional Resident Resister data in this context. This study employs...

Objectives While studies have examined the effects of large-scale disasters on disaster-vulnerable individuals, these analyses may not capture the full impact. This study qualitatively explored the impacts of the March 2011 Fukushima triple disaster on patients with breast cancer and their families, aiming to highlight the importance of incorporati...

Background: Disasters and family cancer experiences both significantly impact well-being, especially in disaster-prone areas like Japan. Disruptions in medical care and increased emotional strain make coping with cancer even more challenging. This study explores how these factors together affect well-being in Japan, highlighting the need for furthe...

Objectives To investigate the details of disaster-related deaths due to the indirect health effects of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident following the Great East-Japan Earthquake in 2011 and serve as a source of reference in the event of similar circumstances in the future. Design A retrospective observational study. Sett...

This position paper highlights the dire impacts of environmental and household air pollution, which were responsible for 6.7 million deaths globally in 2019. These deaths occurred predominantly in low-and middle-income countries, with Afghanistan reporting the highest age-adjusted mortality rate. The situation worsens during large-scale disasters l...

Background: Thyroid ultrasound examinations (TUEs), conducted as part of the Fukushima Health Management Survey (FHMS), were initiated to monitor the health status of residents after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident owing to concerns regarding the increased incidence of thyroid cancer among children, as observed after the Chernoby...

Introduction Relocation after a disaster often has negative health effects on vulnerable people, particularly older adults. However, little is known about the number of repeated evacuations and relocations after disasters among those experienced disaster-related deaths. This case series aimed to summarize the secondary problems and mortality risks...

Background Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a rare type of extranodal lymphoma, the diagnostic process for which presents significant challenges owing to an overlap in clinical and pathological features with those observed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the current literature reveals a paucity of information regarding the ramific...

Definition Cross-cultural psychology evaluates how cultural factors influence people’s behaviour and mental processes. Cross-cultural psychology aims to understand individual differences and commonalities, and to develop an appreciation, respect, and knowledge of cultures distinct from one’s own. Compassion refers to the emotional response of under...

We aimed to validate the Japanese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4-J). People in Japan, especially healthcare workers (HCWs) suffer from high rates of mental health symptoms. The PHQ-4 is an established ultra-brief mental health measure used in various settings, populations and languages. The Japanese version of the PHQ-4 has no...

Introduction and background Non-consensual sex, including rape and sexual assault, has been a global concern and may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, information on this topic is limited. Therefore, our objective was to survey the incidence rate of non-consensual sex among Japanese women aged 15-79 years between April and Sep...

In October 2023, Herat Province in Afghanistan was devastated by three earthquakes, resulting in 1,480 fatalities and 1,950 injuries, affecting approximately 154,000 people. The destruction included over 21,300 buildings, including 40 healthcare facilities, intensifying an existing humanitarian crisis under Taliban rule since August 2021. A compreh...

Introduction The introduction of new drugs often leads to aggressive promotion and potential financial conflicts of interest, which may bias treatment decisions and potentially harm patients. The breast cancer therapeutics market is rapidly evolving globally, and Japan is no exception. This study aimed to analyze trends in pharmaceutical payments t...

Background Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals face significant health disparities worldwide, particularly in preventive medicine. In Japan, where breast cancer has the highest incidence rate among women, understanding screening behaviors among LGBTQ individuals is crucial for improving public health outcomes. Objecti...

Teleradiology is recognized for fostering collaboration between regional and tertiary hospitals. However, its application in gastroenterological diseases remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of teleradiology in improving gastroenterological care. This retrospective study analyzed patients with gastroenterological dise...

Objective This study aimed to examine the extent of mental distress among women undergoing breast cancer screening in areas affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and to clarify the relationships between radiation risk perception, breast cancer anxiety, and mental distress among this population. Meth...

This study aimed to investigate the advantages, disadvantages, working methods, and support needs of physicians practicing teleradiology from home in Japan, as well as to explore challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 physicians (12 radiologists and 3 neurosurgeons) engaged in teleradiology serv...

Background: Health information seeking via the internet among patients with cancer in disaster-affected areas is underresearched. Objective: This study aims not only to assess the extent and means of web-based health information seeking among patients with cancer living in the disaster-affected area of the 2011 Fukushima triple disaster but also t...

Patients undergoing hemodialysis are particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with mortality rates higher than that of the general population. Vaccination reduces the risk of adverse outcomes, with booster doses being particularly beneficial. However, limited data are available on the effectiveness of subsequent vaccinati...

Introduction Vaccination has been implemented as a useful measure to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a tendency for individuals to avoid vaccination due to the possibility of adverse events, making it important to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and their adverse events. This study explored longitudinal advers...

In the medical field, the importance of online reviews is escalating. However, the complexity of responding to these reviews is profound, as such anonymous critiques may encompass not only emotionally distressing content but also potentially malicious criticisms directed at healthcare professionals. While recognizing the vital role of patient feedb...

Self-exercise during hemodialysis reportedly prevents functional decline. This study aimed to assess the effects of exercise on physical function during hemodialysis. From September 2014 to March 2018, 35 elderly dialysis patients participated in an exercise program 3 times a week for 24 weeks during hemodialysis under staff supervision. The Short...

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in 2011, mandatory evacuation orders were issued to residents living near the nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture, including some patients receiving home oxygen therapy. Although the vulnerability of patients with home oxygen therapy (one...

Regulatory authorities must balance ensuring evidence of efficacy and safety of new drugs. Various regulatory pathways, such as the accelerated approval program in the United States (US), allow authorities to quickly approve drugs for severely ill patients by granting market authorization based on surrogate end points and pending confirmatory trial...

The shift of power to the Taliban had negatively affected the mental health of businesswomen due to the current restrictions on women. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the experience of mental health issues among businesswomen in Afghanistan after the Taliban came to power. We examined the mental health challenges they faced, what helped dea...

It is crucial to anticipate nuclear emergency scenarios and implement effective measures. Japan’s climate and topography make it vulnerable to natural disasters; thus, it is necessary to address compounding and cascading disaster scenarios involving the simultaneous occurrence of natural and nuclear disasters. On January 1, 2024, an earthquake hit...

In recent years, Japan has faced a significant demographic crisis, which was further exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. By 2022, the country experienced a 1.5% decrease in population, which is in contrast to other G7 nations, and had the highest rate of excess mortality among Organization for Economic Cooperation and D...

Both public and academic scrutiny of the financial relationships between the medical device industry and the healthcare society occur less frequently than those involving the pharmaceutical industry, and Japan is no exception to these shortcomings. This paper examines the ethical and legal challenges inherent in Japan's medical device industry thro...

Large-scale disasters can severely impact breast cancer care, leading to treatment disruptions and delays. While empirical studies on these effects are limited, patient narratives provide valuable insights. This study explored treatment continuity and medical access among local breast cancer patients affected by the 2011 triple disaster through qua...

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, planning the appropriate allocation of healthcare resources is crucial. However, accurately estimating the medical care demand was challenging due to the substantial population fluctuations caused by extensive evacuations. This study employs mobile spatial statistics using NTT DoCoMo’s mobile phone data to con...

Introduction ChatGPT, a large‐scale language model, is a notable example of AI's potential in health care. However, its effectiveness in clinical settings, especially when compared to human physicians, is not fully understood. This study evaluates ChatGPT's capabilities and limitations in answering questions for Japanese internal medicine specialis...

Background: Conflicts of interest (COIs) of contributors to a guideline project and the funding of that project can influence the development of the guideline. Comprehensive reporting of information on COIs and funding is essential for the transparency and credibility of guidelines. Objective: To develop an extension of the Reporting Items for pra...

There is limited information on whether the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with decreased breast cancer screening uptake and if COVID-19 vaccination was associated with an increase in screening uptake. Our study explored the uptake of breast cancer screening in Japan after the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed its association with the COVID-19 vacci...

Radiation disasters pose distinctive medical challenges, requiring diverse care approaches. Beyond radiation exposure assessment, addressing health impacts due to lifestyle changes, especially among vulnerable populations, is vital. Evacuation orders issued in radiation-affected areas introduce unique healthcare dynamics, with their duration signif...

Background The field of breast cancer care has experienced a rapid influx of new treatments, making it a potential focus for promotional activities by pharmaceutical companies. These financial relationships could turn into significant sources of conflict of interest within the healthcare sector, possibly leading to undue influence on breast cancer...

Introduction There has been a growing concern over the past few years about the effects of disasters and crises on breast cancer screening, an argument that has been further enhanced by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, little is known about how crises might affect the long-term uptake of breast cancer screening progr...

Introduction While prior research showed gender gaps in industry payments for medical professionals in the United States, there are limited data in Japan. So, this study seeks to investigate the potential gender gap in the receipt of pharmaceutical companies (PFCs) across all medical fields in Japan. Based on the results of previous studies, we dev...

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) primarily affects immunosuppressed patients, with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) commonly used for prophylaxis. However, there is insufficient information on PCP occurrence despite TMP-SMX prophylaxis. We encountered a 57-year-old woman with locally advanced breast cancer developing PCP despite prophylactic int...

Background: Non-consensual sex including rape and sexual assault has been a global concern and may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, however the information on this topic is limited. Therefore, our objective was to survey the incidence rate of non-consensual sex among Japanese women aged 15-79 years between April to September 2020, fol...

Introduction Previous studies demonstrated that the surgical productivity regressed in 2020. This study therefore explored whether the COVID-19 pandemic had any significant lasting effect of reducing the surgical productivity in Japan. This is a retrospective observational study which is an extension of the previous ones. Methods The authors analy...

Objective: There is insufficient data on the financial relationships between Japanese neurologists and pharmaceutical companies prior to the advent of new-generation Alzheimer’s disease drugs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the magnitude, prevalence, and trend of the financial relationship between Japanese neurologists and pharmaceutical...

The medical situation during disasters often differs from that at usual times. Disasters can lead to significant mortality that can be difficult to monitor. The types of disaster-related deaths are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted a survey to categorize the disaster-related deaths caused by a radiation disaster. A total of 520 people li...

Introduction The interplay between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals is a critical facet of modern medicine, with financial relationships often influencing clinical practice. This study examines its impact on clinical practice in Japan, particularly in breast cancer treatment. It aims to uncover the prevalence, magnitude, and tr...

On 19 November 2023, Nagoya University Hospital declared that physicians’ educational and research pursuits beyond regular hours would be classified as self-improvement activities rather than work-related tasks.¹ As a result, starting in April 2024, such activities will not be eligible for compensation. Nagoya University, renowned as one of Japan’s...

Predicting the transition of kidney function in chronic kidney disease is difficult as specific symptoms are lacking and often overlooked, and progress occurs due to complicating factors. In this study, we applied time-series cluster analysis and a light gradient boosting machine to predict the trajectories of kidney function in non-dialysis depend...