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Meeting Speakers from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)
We are honored to have the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) partner so closely with us, especially at time where innovation has been catalyzed. Learn more below about these leaders of today.
Meet Our Confirmed Speaker from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)
Nobumasa Nakashima, PhD,
Dr. Nakashima joined Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in 1992. He spent his career in the international field such as WHO and OECD, not only in the domestic field. He worked as International Planning Director at MHLW since 2014, Director of Office of International Regulatory Affairs at MHLW since 2016, and Senior Director for International Programs and Associate Center Director for Asia Training Center (ATC) at PMDA since 2018. Since 2020, he has been Associate Executive Director (International Programs) and is responsible for enhancing PMDA’s international affairs including cooperation with foreign counterparts and organizations, to advance Agency’s mission of promoting health and safety in Japan.
Yasuhiro Fujiwara, MD, PhD, Chief Executive
Dr. Yasuhiro Fujiwara was previously Director-General, Strategic Planning Bureau of the National Cancer Center, and the Deputy Director of the Hospital (Research), National Cancer Center Hospital. He is a medical oncologist, specializing in breast cancer. Before joining NCCH, he was a deputy director of the Evaluation Division II of PMDEC, later merged with other organization to form PMDA of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Labor between 1997 – 2002, making his current position as Chief Executive his second appointment. Between Jan 2011 to Feb 2013, he was a Deputy Secretary General of Office of Medical Innovation, Cabinet Secretariat of Japan, and led health policy issues regarding life science.
Hiroyuki Arai, PhD, Director of Center for Product Evaluation and Center of Regulatory Science
Dr. Hiroyuki Arai has served as Director of Center for Product Evaluation & Director of Center for Regulatory Science, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) since 2020. Before joining PMDA, he was a professor of Department of Health Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tokyo (2000-2019). He also served as a dean (2016-2018) there. He graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1979 and received his PhD (Biochemistry) in 1984 from the same university. His overseas experience includes the University of Illinois (1984-1986) and Tufts University School of Medicine (1986-1988).
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