NEWS RELEASE
July 28, 2026
TWELFTH COHORT OF MANSFIELD-PhRMA RESEARCH SCHOLARS ANNOUNCED
(Washington, D.C.) The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of the twelfth cohort of the Mansfield-PhRMA Research Scholars Program. This international exchange and professional development opportunity brings young and mid-career pharmaceutical researchers from Japan to the United States to learn about translational research, healthcare policy, and regulatory practices through site visits in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston. The twelfth cohort will participate in a two-week study tour in September 2026.
The 2026 Mansfield-PhRMA program will include eight researchers from Japan’s pharmaceutical research community and three observers from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). This program was launched in 2013 and is sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
The twelfth cohort of the Mansfield-PhRMA Research Scholars Program includes:
- ANDO Daisuke, Senior Researcher, Division of Drugs, National Institute of Health Sciences, Japan
- HANAZAWA Ryoichi, Assistant Professor, Data Science Division, Health Science Research and Development Center, Institute of Science Tokyo Hospital
- HARA Rintaro, Specially Appointed Associate Professor, NucleoTIDE and PepTIDE Drug Discovery Center, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Science Tokyo
- INOMATA Takenori, Associate Professor, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine
- KATSUYAMA Eri, Associate Professor, Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Science, Okayama University Medical School, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University
- KUWATSUKA Yachiyo, Clinical Lecturer, Data Center, Department of Advanced Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital
- TAKAMATSU Masamitsu, Research Scientist, Departments of Immunization Research and Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan Institute for Health Security
- UOSAKI Hideki, Professor, Division of Functional Biochemistry, Jichi Medical University
Observers in the Mansfield-PhRMA program are selected and funded by their respective agencies. The 2026 program observers are:
- WAGATSUMA Takanori, Chief, Division of Innovative Research and Development, Department of Basic Research for Medical Innovation, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- TAKIZAWA Hiromi, Inspector, Office of Non-clinical and Clinical Compliance I, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)
- OGURI Yuko, Deputy Director, Bio-industry Division, Commerce and Service Industry Policy Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
The delegation will meet with senior experts in major pharmaceutical research programs, including managers of pharmaceutical research programs in the U.S. government and experts on translating research into commercial opportunities. Upon their return to Japan, the researchers will be expected to share what they learned during the program with their Japanese colleagues and to contribute to Japan’s research and development (R&D) policy reforms in a practical way.
The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes understanding and cooperation in U.S.-Asia relations. The Foundation was established in 1983 to honor Mike Mansfield (1903-2001), a revered public servant, statesman, and diplomat who played a pivotal role in many of the key domestic and international issues of the 20th century as U.S. congressman from Montana, Senate majority leader, and as U.S. ambassador to Japan. Maureen and Mike Mansfield’s values, ideals, and vision for U.S.-Asia relations continue through the Foundation’s exchanges, dialogues, research, and educational programs, which create networks among U.S. and Asian leaders, explore the underlying issues influencing public policies, and increase awareness about the nations and peoples of Asia. The Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C.; Tokyo, Japan; and Missoula, Montana.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), represents the world’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are focused on developing innovative medicines that transform lives and create a healthier world. Together, we are fighting for solutions to ensure patients can access and afford medicines that prevent, treat and cure disease. PhRMA member companies have invested more than $850 billion in the search for new treatments and cures over the last decade, supporting nearly five million jobs in the United States.