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| 08/12/09 |
Ministry Taps Kurume Univ. for Cancer Peptide Vaccine R&D |
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has selected the research project for cancer peptide vaccines conducted in a joint effort by industry, academia, and government at the Kurume University School of Medicine as one of the enterprises in its Knowledge Cluster Initiative.
These vaccines attack cancer cells by activating a patient\'s immune system. They have few side effects and are considered a fourth treatment option in addition to surgery, drugs, and radiation. Dr. Kyogo Ito of the medical school said, "The 21st century will be the age of vaccines. We hope to establish a treatment method and offer it to patients throughout the world."
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| 08/12/09 |
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Progress Made on Project to Develop Cars for the Elderly |
A project is now underway to develop automobiles that are easy for the elderly to use. Participating are 35 of the nation's prefectural governments, and the organization promoting the project is chaired by Fukuoka Prefecture Gov. Wataru Aso. The federation of governors will move the discussion forward with the intent of creating a concept car by FY 2010.
According to the National Police Agency, accidents involving automobiles driven by the elderly have doubled over the past 10 years. Gov. Aso says the aim must be to build cars the elderly can use, rather than try to discourage the elderly from driving.
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| 08/12/09 |
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Three Daily Round-Trips from Fukuoka to New Shizuoka Airport |
When the Shizuoka Airport began operation in June 2009, both JAL and ANA began regularly scheduled flights from the Kyushu-Okinawa region. There are three daily round-trip flights from Fukuoka, which can carry an aggregate of 752 passengers. The flight time is about 90 minutes, which is a significant reduction in travel time from the roughly four hours required for the Shinkansen and other airports.
Some say the Shizuoka Airport is inconvenient for business use because it is far from major cities, but officials in both regions hope it will boost sightseeing and promote interaction between local industries.
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| 05/26/09 |
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Fukuoka Prefecture and Kitakyushu Use Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars |
In April 2009, Fukuoka Prefecture and Kitakyushu became the first local governments in Kyushu to add cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells to their fleet for official use. The fuel cells create electricity through a reaction between the hydrogen fuel and the oxygen in the air. That electricity operates the engine, which in turn drives the car. It is hoped these batteries will be a new, environmentally friendly source of energy that reduces CO2 emissions.
Both governments purchased one car each for the use of public employees on official business. Plans call for them to be used at environmental events, where they will be exhibited and visitors will be allowed to ride them. Hydrogen stations for refueling the cars are planned to be built by September in Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu, enabling trials of this type of automobile.
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| 05/26/09 |
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Vietnam Opens New Fukuoka City Consulate General in Fukuoka |
Vietnam opened a consulate in Fukuoka City in April 2009 on the fourth floor of Aqua Hakata. A ceremony and party were held to mark the opening, and it was attended by Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, currently on a visit to Japan, Vietnamese Consul Vu Huy Mung, Fukuoka Prefecture Governor Wataru Aso, and Fukuoka City Mayor Hiroshi Yoshida and local business leaders.
The ties between Fukuoka Prefecture and Vietnam, which has been enjoying economic growth, have grown closer in recent years, and the opening of the consulate is hoped to further strengthen those ties.
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