2023-24 Report With a metropolitan area GDP of about (US) $75 billion and population of about 2.2 million Sendai is the economic and political capital of Japan’s Tohoku region the northeastern portion of the country’s mainland.  Sendai continues to recover from the catastrophic impact of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami Economic growth plummeted in the quake’s immediate aftermath spiked dramatically during the recovery period and has since stabilized Demand for industrial properties and warehouses is driven primarily by the wholesale Amazon Japan set up a call center in Sendai in 2012 About 14 percent of the area’s economy comes from manufacturing including the production of semiconductors and electronic devices The city’s multimodal transportation infrastructure makes it a logistics and distribution hub for the region High-speed rail connects Sendai to Tokyo in 90 minutes Sendai International Airport handled about 6,000 tons of cargo in 2015 and operates direct flights to Seoul the Port of Sendai-Shiogama has reestablished itself as major freight shipping hub handling growing international container traffic from the main Japan-North American routes Prologis operates industrial properties and has available warehouses in Sendai Every connection starts with a conversation Tigerair Taiwan today announced it would launch a new route in July between Kaohsiung and Sendai The service would initially operate three times a week with flight IT-772 departing from Kaohsiung International Airport every Monday the China Airlines subsidiary said in a news release would depart from Sendai on the same days at 7pm Tickets for flights on the new route would go on sale tomorrow at discounted rates on the Tigerair Taiwan Web site The new service would be the airline's 11th international route departing from Kaohsiung Okayama and Okinawa in Japan; Seoul’s Gimpo Airport; Macau; and Da Nang Japan is the most popular destination of Taiwanese travelers about 6 million Taiwanese travelers visited Japan followed by 2.77 million to China and 1.43 million to South Korea May 5 (CNA) Tigerair Taiwan announced on Monday that it will launch a new route in July between Kaohsiung and the Japanese city of Sendai the China Airlines subsidiary said the service will initially operate three times a week will depart from Sendai on the same days at 7 p.m. Tickets for flights on the new route will go on sale Tuesday at discounted rates on the Tigerair Taiwan website The new service will be the airline's 11th international route departing from Kaohsiung about 6.006 million Taiwanese travelers visited Japan according to data from Taiwan's Tourism Administration 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hong Kong Airlines today celebrated its inaugural flight to Sendai providing travellers with convenient access to the Tohoku region just in time for the Christmas holiday season Sendai marks the airline's ninth scheduled destination in Japan with three direct flights per week offering flexible morning departure times to facilitate passengers to explore the region's stunning scenery and rich culture A ceremony was held at the boarding gate before the inaugural flight took off attended by Hong Kong Airlines Chairman Mr Yan Bo and other senior management members as well as senior representatives from the Airport Authority Hong Kong including Mr Ray Li Assistant General Manager of Hub Development Assistant General Manager of Airport & Industry Collaboration Hong Kong Airlines senior management attended the celebration together with representatives from the Hong Kong Tourism Board Japan office Sendai City Department of Culture and Tourism Hong Kong Airlines President Mr Jeff Sun spoke at the ceremony: "The launch of our Sendai route further marks our footprint in the Japanese market and provides convenient options for passengers travelling between Hong Kong and Sendai allowing travellers to easily explore the historical and natural attractions of Tohoku We also look forward to welcoming visitors from Sendai and neighbouring regions to take our flights to Hong Kong to experience the unique festive atmosphere and enjoy our city's renowned culinary Hong Kong Airlines is committed to providing a full range of services including flexible check-in baggage options complimentary in-flight meals as well as comfortable seating to ensure that every passenger enjoys a pleasant journey." Director of Hong Kong Tourism Board (Japan Office) stated: "Statistics show that one in every three Hong Kong residents travels to Japan annually highlighting the strong affinity between the two populations a growing trend shows increasing numbers of Hong Kong travellers exploring destinations outside of the major metropolises such as Tokyo and Osaka This new route will undoubtedly lead to a significant increase in inbound tourism to Sendai Hong Kong Airlines is renowned for its reliability and high-quality service and we wholeheartedly welcome their role in bridging Hong Kong and Sendai providing passengers with a safe and comfortable travel experience." Deputy Director of the Sendai City Department of Culture and Tourism delivered a speech on behalf of the Mayor of Sendai Ms Kazuko Kori highlighting the significance of the route launch He stated: "The resumption of regular air services between Sendai and Hong Kong after 13 years is incredibly exciting news for Sendai and the Tohoku region the number of overnight stays in Miyagi Prefecture by Hong Kong visitors had already reached 23,870 We are confident that this new route will further boost visitor numbers from Hong Kong in the years to come." Japan has been a key market for Hong Kong Airlines Bookings for Christmas and Lunar New Year have already reached 90% prompting the airline to increase services in December to: Sapporo (daily) In addition to strengthening its regional network Hong Kong Airlines will resume services to Gold Coast marking its return to the long-haul international market and further enhancing its global reach Hong Kong Airlines flight schedule* between Hong Kong and Sendai is as follows (All times local): * Flight number and schedule may change without prior notice For high-resolution photos, please download here: https://bitly.cx/PXCc  Hong Kong Airlines is set to elevate passenger's travel experience with a comprehensive suite of service.. Hong Kong Airlines is pleased to announce the latest development of its network expansion with the introduction of a new direct service to Sydney,.. Travel Travel Airlines & Aviation New Products & Services Do not sell or share my personal information: Join us at the Akustika Fair at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre from April 4-6 Meet The Strad team at stand F08 and pick up a free copy of the magazine The Strad Directory Jobs 41 violinists will have the chance to compete at this year’s competition which will be held from 24 May to 8 June 2025 Read more news stories here The contestants for Japan’s 9th Sendai International Music Competition have been decided The competition is held every three years in the violin and piano disciplines 41 violinists have been selected to take part in this year’s competition the preliminary rounds of which will take place from 24 to 26 May 2025 Twelve competitors will progress to the semi-finals Six finalists will be chosen to perform in the final round from 5 to 7 June with a prizewinners’ gala concert on 8 June The first prizewinner will receive JPY3,000,000 (£15,000) as well as concerts with the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and other major orchestras in Japan plus future recital engagements in Japan and production of a CD Cash prizes are available for all place-winners to sixth prize with silver and bronze medals for second and third prize respectively Yuzuko Horigome will serve as the jury chair with Masafumi Hori and Young-Uck Kim as vice-chairs Japanese violinist Lina Nakano won the 2022 competition while US violinist Shannon Lee won second prize at the 2019 edition (no first prize awarded) The violin contestants for 2025 are as follows: Read: Trio Brontë wins the Franz Schubert and Modern Music competition piano trio category Read: Positive self-talk: a key to boosting musicians’ confidence In The Best of Technique you’ll discover the top playing tips of the world’s leading string players and teachers It’s packed full of exercises for students plus examples from the standard repertoire to show you how to integrate the technique into your playing The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s The Canada Council of the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank is 40 years old in 2025 This year’s calendar celebrates some its treasures including four instruments by Antonio Stradivari and priceless works by Montagnana and cellist Joshua Kováč each receive $10,000 Smart will join the School of Music as assistant professor of violin from autumn 2025 After a seven-month hiatus due to nerve injury Hahn will return to the stage with the New York Philharmonic next week The violinist has been appointed artistic director of Clarion Concerts which provides chamber music concerts and experiences in New York’s Hudson Valley The Astatine Trio and Novo Quartet join the scheme from 2025–2027 Ten ensembles will compete for the chance to win the top prize package at this year’s competition from 25 to 31 August Site powered by Webvision Cloud Metrics details Cartilage rarely heals spontaneously once damaged Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease among the elderly; however effective treatment for OA is currently lacking an innovative regenerative technology involving the implantation of healthy chondrocytes Chondrocytes for ACI may potentially be induced from differentiated somatic cells using retrovirus (RV)-mediated transduction of three reprogramming factors (SOX9 the efficiency of the current induction system needs to be improved and the safety issues arising from the genomic integration of the vector DNA have to be addressed termed the replication-defective and persistent Sendai virus vector (SeVdp) to express reprogramming factors for chondrocyte induction Our results showed that the SeVdp-based vector induced chondrocytes more efficiently than the RV vector probably because of robust and rapid expression of the transgenes without any apparent integration of the SeVdp vector The induced chondrocytes formed cartilage-like tissues when injected subcutaneously into mice the SeVdp-based system for inducing chondrocytes may act as a foundation for developing safer and more effective treatments for damaged cartilage ACI has not been widely used in treating OA partially because of the limited availability of healthy cartilage for treating patients with OA an alternative source for obtaining chondrocytes in large amounts needs to be developed for enhancing the applicability of ACI in treating OA The method depends on the forced expression of the reprogramming factors together with the chondrocyte-specific transcription factor SOX9 generating chondrocytes directly from somatic cells This reprogramming system enables the generation of large numbers of chondrocytes from cells readily available in patient tissues improvements in the efficiency of chondrocyte induction and safety of gene transduction are required before applying direct reprogramming of chondrocytes to ACI gene transduction without genomic integration is imperative for the clinical application of chondrocytes generated via direct reprogramming remains stable in cells at a non-permissive temperature (38oC) without chromosomal integration SeVdp vectors not only have excellent transduction efficiency and low cytopathic effects but also express multiple genes stably at high levels from a single vector we used the SeVdp vector to develop a reprogramming system that directly induces chondrocytes from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) This SeVdp-based vector expressed reprogramming factors (SOX9H131A/K398A and c-MYC) more rapidly and at higher levels than the RV vectors Genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis did not detect integration of the SeVdp vector in the genome of the induced chondrocytes Cartilage-like tissues were formed in vivo when SeV-induced chondrocytes were subcutaneously transplanted into mice the SeVdp-based vector for direct reprogramming will boost further improvements in the development of a safe and efficient chondrocyte induction system Sendai-virus-based direct reprogramming system for chondrocytes (a) Structure of the Sendai virus (SeV) vector for inducing chondrocytes Complementary DNAs encoding SOX9H131A/K398A (SOX9m) and c-MYC were inserted into the replication-deficient persistent SeVdp vector as shown (b) Structures of the retrovirus vectors and Sendai virus vector used in this study Experimental schemes for inducing chondrocytes using the retorivirus vectors or the Sendai virus vector are shown (c) Morphological changes of virus-infected MEFs 2 and 15 d after infection with the empty retrovirus vector (RV EV) retrovirus vectors with the direct reprogramming factors (RV S9mKM) or Sendai virus vector with the direct reprogramming factors (SeV S9mKM) (d) Alcian blue staining of the differentiated chondrocytes Rapid and strong expression of the direct reprogramming factors by the Sendai virus vector (a) Immunofluorescence staining of the retrovirus (RV)- or Sendai virus (SeV)-infected cells using an anti-FLAG tag (Sox9H131A/K398A) antibody and an anti-KLF4 antibody (b) Western blotting analysis of Sox9H131A/K398A expression in RV- or SeV-infected cells Quantified data were normalized to GAPDH levels and are shown in the graph on the right (c) Expression levels of the chondrogenic genes in RV- or SeV-infected cells **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; # represents a significant difference versus uninfected cells (No virus) (###p < 0.001) (d) Expression levels of the fibroblast genes in RV- or SeV-infected cells *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; # represents a significant difference versus uninfected cells (##p < 0.01; ###p < 0.001) these results suggest that the strong and rapid expression of reprogramming factors from the SeV vector enables efficient induction of chondrocytes and may prevent dedifferentiation of the induced chondrocytes Three-dimensional pellet culture of SeV-induced chondrocytes (a) Experimental scheme for chondrocyte induction from SeV-infected cells in three-dimensional (3D) pellet culture The right panels show macroscopic observations of the SeV-infected cells on day 10 (b) Expression of chondrogenic genes in the 3D pellet cultured cells *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001 (c) Expression of fibroblast genes in the 3D pellet cultured cells **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001 (d) Expression of the hypertrophic chondrocyte genes in the 3D pellet cultured cells No integration of the SeV vector in induced chondrocytes (a) Experimental scheme for chondrocyte induction and genomic PCR (b) Detection of the SeV NP protein using immunofluorescence staining (left panel) and SeV RNA using RT-qPCR (right panel) in SeV-infected cells (c) PCR analysis of the virus vector-derived sequence (FLAG-tagged Sox9m) in genomic DNA prepared from noninfected The position of the primers used for genomic PCR is shown in red arrows In vivo cartilage formation from SeV-induced chondrocytes (a) Formation of cartilaginous tissues from the transplanted SeV-induced chondrocytes in mice (b) Alcian blue staining of the tissue sections Scale bar: 25 μm (c) Expression of chondrogenic genes in the cartilaginous tissues generated from SeV-induced chondrocytes which ensured the production of a more homogenous population of induced chondrocytes SeV vectors incorporate multiple exogenous genes into a single vector from which the genes are expressed in a relatively constant stoichiometry the levels of transgene expression among the infected cells varied to a lesser extent than those expressed by the RV vectors for which the expression varied widely with the integrated genomic sites the newly developed SeV vector enables the efficient induction of a more homogenous population of chondrocytes in a shorter period of cell culture and is therefore better suited for the scalable production of chondrocytes we did not observe integration of the current SeV vector into the genome of induced chondrocytes at least during the period required for cell culture indicating that the current SeV vector poses little concern for integration into the host genome The incorporation of these technologies into the current vector may lead to the development of an SeV vector that generates chondrocytes free of the SeV vector initially used to induce them the SeV vector-based direct reprogramming system reported in this study not only represents a considerable advancement in generating induced chondrocytes for cell therapy but also provides a solid foundation for further improvements in the scalable production of vector-free chondrocytes MEFs were prepared from C57BL/6J mouse embryos as described previously31 MEFs were cultured at 37℃ in an atmosphere of 5% O2 and 5% CO2 in DMEM containing 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum and 100 µg/mL streptomycin (hereafter referred to as standard medium) The MEFs were seeded in a 24-well plate at a density of 4 × 104 cells/well and were infected with SeV on the next day at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of approximately 1.0 for 24 h at 32℃ in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 The virus-infected cells were then cultured at 37℃ in an atmosphere of 5% O2 and 5% CO2 for 24 h The uninfected cells were removed by culturing in standard medium containing 8 µg/mL blasticidin for 3 d The surviving cells were further cultured at 37℃ in an atmosphere of 5% O2 and 5% CO2 in standard medium without blasticidin The chondrogenic medium was DMEM containing 1% (v/v) fetal bovine serum 50 µg/mL L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (Sigma Phase-contrast images of the cells were acquired using a Nikon ECLIPS TS100 microscope iWAT was isolated from a 5-month-old female mouse and was minced The minced iWAT was dispersed using collagenase (Roche ~ 1.5 units/g tissue) and dispase II (Roche ~ 2.4 units/g tissue) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 10 mM CaCl2 (~ 1 ml/g tissue) at 37℃ for 1 h The dispersed cells were centrifuged at 700 × g for 10 min The SVF cells suspended in standard medium were filtered through a 70 μm strainer and cultured at 37℃ in an atmosphere of 20% O2 and 5% CO2 the hair around the chest of the same female mouse was shaved and the exposed skin was removed and minced The skin tissue was dispersed using collagenase and dispase II and the dispersed cells were filtered and cultured as described for the SVF cells Chondrocytes were induced using the same method as used for MEFs except that the cells were cultured in the presence of 20% O2 instead of 5% O2 The induced chondrocytes were washed with PBS and fixed in methanol at room temperature for 2 min the cells were washed using 0.1 M HCl and stained with Alcian blue staining solution (pH 2.5 Inc.) at room temperature for approximately 60 min The primer sets used for qPCR are listed in Supplementary Table S2 P-values were calculated using the Student’s t-test total RNA was purified from virus-infected cells and used for RT-qPCR The amount of SeV genomic RNA was calculated based on a standard curve constructed using the plasmid DNA vector used for the SeV preparation Chondrocytes were induced by RV or SeV in a 12-well plate (approximately 105 cells/well) for 10 d and lysed using 100 µL of lysis buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl 0.1 M NaCl) containing 50 µg/mL RNase A at 37℃ for 15 min Proteinase K (2 µg) was added and the cells were incubated at 55℃ for 5 h Genomic DNA was extracted using 100 µL of phenol/chloroform and precipitated by adding 100 µL of 2-propanol After centrifugation at 15,500 × g at 4℃ for 7 min The pellet was dissolved in 10 µL of TE (pH 8.0) 10 ng of genomic DNA or 1 ng of the plasmid vector was used as the template To detect the virus vector-derived sequence (Flag-tagged Sox9m-coding gene) PCR was performed using KOD-plus-Neo (TOYOBO) with a two-step cycle (94℃ PCR was performed using a three-step cycle (94℃ The primers used for PCR are listed in Supplementary Table S3 The PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresing on a 1% agarose gel Original images of the gels are shown in Supplementary Fig The animal experiments performed in this study were approved by the Animal Experimental Committee of the University of Tsukuba (approval numbers: 22–488 and 23–312) All experiments were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines MEFs were infected with SeV at an MOI approximately 1.0 in 100 mm plates and uninfected cells were removed by treating with blasticidin (8 µg/mL) for 3 d The virus-infected cells were cultured without blasticidin for 1 d and transplanted subcutaneously into the backs of immunodeficient mice (BALB/cAJc1-nu/nu The mice were euthanized via cervical dislocation under isoflurane anesthesia 3 weeks after transplantation and the grafts were isolated Paraffin sections were prepared from the grafts and stained using Alcian Blue Immunofluorescence staining of paraffin-embedded sections was performed according to standard protocols using anti-COL2A1 or anti-COL1A1 antibody (Santa Cruz Biotechnology) Total RNA was extracted from the grafts and gene expression was analyzed using RT-qPCR The data underlying this article are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request Treatment of deep cartilage defects in the knee with autologous chondrocyte transplantation Generation of hyaline cartilaginous tissue from mouse adult dermal fibroblast culture by defined factors Direct induction of chondrogenic cells from human dermal fibroblast culture by defined factors Engineering critical residues of SOX9 discovers a variant with potent capacity to induce chondrocytes Understanding retroviral life cycle and its genomic RNA packaging Murine leukemia induced by retroviral gene marking Generation of pluripotent stem cells from adult mouse liver and stomach cells LMO2 -associated clonal T cell proliferation in two patients after gene therapy for SCID-X1 Development of defective and persistent Sendai virus vector: A unique gene delivery/expression system ideal for cell reprogramming Direct in vivo reprogramming with Sendai virus vectors improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction Persistent and stable gene expression by a cytoplasmic RNA replicon based on a noncytopathic variant sendai virus Dedifferentiated chondrocytes reexpress the differentiated collagen phenotype when cultured in agarose gels Dose finding with retroviral vectors: Correlation of retroviral vector copy numbers in single cells with gene transfer efficiency in a cell population The nucleocapsid of paramyxoviruses: structure and function of an encapsidated template Murine leukemia virus infection of non-dividing dendritic cells is dependent on nucleoporins The MYC oncogene—The grand orchestrator of cancer growth and immune evasion KLF4 transcription factor in tumorigenesis Endogenous non-retroviral RNA virus elements in mammalian genomes Non-retroviral fossils in vertebrate genomes Reverse-transcribed SARS-CoV-2 RNA can integrate into the genome of cultured human cells and can be expressed in patient-derived tissues Cbfa1 is a positive regulatory factor in chondrocyte maturation Chondrocyte-specific ablation of Osterix leads to impaired endochondral ossification Newly-developed Sendai virus vector for retinal gene transfer: reduction of innate immune response via deletion of all envelope-related genes Utilization of a novel Sendai virus vector in ex vivo gene therapy for hemophilia A Efficient generation of transgene-free human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by temperature-sensitive Sendai virus vectors Simple and effective generation of transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cells using an auto-erasable Sendai virus vector responding to microRNA-302 Sequence- and structure-specific RNA processing by a CRISPR endonuclease An engineered ligand-responsive Csy4 endoribonuclease controls transgene expression from Sendai virus vectors Mouse embryonic fibroblast cell culture and stimulation Download references We thank the other laboratory members for their advice and helpful discussions This work was supported by grants from JSPS KAKENHI grant numbers JP19K07343 and JP22K06878 (AF) The funders had no role in the study design We thank Editage for editing and reviewing the manuscript for English language Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) performed the experiments and analyzed the data managed the project and wrote the first manuscript draft supervised the study and edited the manuscript All the authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript The authors declare no competing interests Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77508-1 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Translational Research newsletter — top stories in biotechnology The Sixth High-Level Meeting of Ministers and Authorities on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015-2030 will take place in Saint Kitts and Nevis on December 5 in parallel with CDEMA’s Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Conference The event will be conducted in a hybrid format to maximize participation from across the Americas and the Caribbean This meeting serves as a crucial milestone between the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework (2023) and the Eighth Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025) Ministers and high-level authorities will gather to assess regional progress and discuss a new regional mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the Regional Action Plan (RAP) proposed by a Voluntary Commission of 16 countries aims to track and promote more effective disaster risk reduction efforts across the region The meeting will also place a spotlight on the outcomes of the Americas and Caribbean Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems Regional Multi-Stakeholder Forum The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and gender-responsive DRR approaches will be key focus areas reflecting the Midterm Review's recommendations for integrated planning as the Americas and the Caribbean remain the second most disaster-prone region globally experiencing one in four of the world's disasters between 2005 and 2023 Economic losses from disasters have amounted to approximately 58% of global impacts disproportionately affecting the region’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS) With the impacts of climate change worsening the need for coordinated regional action has never been more urgent By aligning disaster risk reduction with sustainable development and climate action the meeting aims to address socio-economic challenges such as inequality all of which exacerbate disaster vulnerability It will also reaffirm regional commitments to key strategies such as the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Resilient Prosperity (2024–2034) and contribute to the development of global frameworks that will shape the future of disaster risk governance they will work towards resilient solutions that respond to the evolving disaster landscape while paving the way for discussions at GP2025 Dominican Republic Thank you. If you have 2 minutes, we would benefit from additional feedback (link opens in a new window) Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp The extravagant Momoyama-style architecture combined with the dazzling colorful foliage in the mausoleum of Lord Date Masamune and the three feudal lords of the Masamune clan Another stop you don’t want to miss on your fantastic foliage sightseeing trip is Kamo Shrine where the breathtaking backdrop of leaves shroud the shrine's torii gate Akiu Falls and Joginyorai Temple in Sakunami are also beautiful and enjoying nearby onsen hot springs after watching autumn leaves is also recommended 🚃3-min-walk from the Sendai City Subway Tozai Line "Omachi Nishi-Koen Station" 🚃20-minute walk from Omachi Nishi-koen Station on Sendai Subway Tozai Line 🚌15 minutes from Sendai Station by Loople Sendai bus Elementary and junior high school students(7-15 years) ¥210 https://discoversendai.travel/must-do/highlights-of-autumn-in-sendai/ Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages Meiko Satomura’s remarkable 30-year wrestling career officially came to an end on Tuesday at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo Satomura teamed with Manami to defeat Aja Kong and Sendai Girls Champion Chihiro Hashimoto finishing with her signature Scorpio Rising kick on Kong An impromptu five-on-two match followed at Kong’s request where Satomura and Kong joined forces to face Hashimoto the event was promoted by her own Sendai Girls organization Special video tributes were shown from WWE stars Kairi Sane along with NJPW’s Hiroshi Tanahashi and joshi icon Devil Masami and Kenta Kobashi were present for the emotional sendoff The crowd honored Satomura with streamers and a ten-bell salute she vowed to remain dedicated to the future of professional wrestling through Sendai Girls expressing how fulfilling it was to be surrounded by those who shaped her journey Satomura’s legacy spans decades and continents from her early days in Japan and WCW appearances in the 1990s to her run on the European independent circuit and tenure as both champion and coach in WWE’s NXT UK brand pic.twitter.com/PUUKEwLNh9 The final 10-count gong to mark the end of Meiko Satomura's in-ring career.#SATOMURAfinal #SENJO pic.twitter.com/pioCMbyR7I 今日、引退試合を見届けてくださった皆様、ありがとうございました。30年間で出会ったたくさんの方に囲まれてリングを降りられたこと、本当に幸せです。プロレスの新時代をさらに素晴らしいものにするために、今以上に人生懸けます‼️ありがとうございました。#SENJO # #SATOMURAfinal #里村明衣子 pic.twitter.com/8aLjQ3D42B Follow us on X @WNSource Follow us on Instagram & THREADS LIKE us on Facebook Follow us on BlueSky Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace Public access to information is a key component of UNESCO's commitment to transparency and its accountability. Based on human rights and fundamental freedoms, the 2005 Convention ultimately provides a new framework for informed, transparent and UNESCO’s e-Platform on intercultural dialogue is designed for organizations and individuals to learn from shared knowledge or experiences from infl Established in 2002, the GEM Report is an editorially independent report, hosted and published by UNESCO. To recovery and beyond: The report takes stock of the global progress on the adoption and implementation of legal guarantees on Access to Info Addressing culture as a global public good For almost 75 years, the UNESCO Courier has served as a platform for international debates on issues that concern the entire pla Lifelong learning is key to overcoming global challenges and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. UNESCO's initiatives are closely aligned with the Sendai Framework reflecting its global priorities on Africa and gender as well as priority areas such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and youth Operating at the interface of natural and social sciences UNESCO fosters a global culture of resilience.  As we approach the 10-year milestone of the Sendai Framework the Conference will take stock of UNESCO’s advancements and outline future directions It will hence contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals which are central to UNESCO's Disaster Risk Reduction programme.  The conference will cover four sessions focusing on various aspects:  Please register here for attending the conference in-person Please register here for attending the conference online Fagiano Okayama earned their maiden berth in the J-League top flight Saturday by defeating Vegalta Sendai 2-0 in the final of the four-team promotion playoffs Goals from Rui Sueyoshi and Haruka Motoyama clinched the win at City Light Stadium where hosts Okayama needed only a draw to secure promotion ahead of sixth-placed Sendai Okayama ended the playoffs with two clean sheets after winning 3-0 last weekend at fourth-placed Montedio Yamagata in the semifinals Sendai advanced with a 4-1 win at third-placed V-Varen Nagasaki but could not find a breakthrough in the final "I'm overwhelmed," Okayama manager Takashi Kiyama said I could see the players starting the game without any fear...This promotion is thanks to an accumulation of history by those who worked hard for this club." Sueyoshi handed Okayama a 20th-minute lead when he curled in a superb lob into the far corner from the left side of the box Sendai had a big chance in the 53rd minute when halftime substitute George Onaiwu ran the entire opposing half Okayama doubled the lead in the 61st minute after substitute Lucao shrugged off three Sendai players to feed Motoyama Giant Brazilian Lucao hit the framework twice while Sendai's Masayuki Okuyama had a shot diverted onto the bar late on who went out in the playoffs in 2016 and 2022 join J2 champions Shimizu S-Pulse and runners-up Yokohama FC in the top division next season Football: Urawa to face Inter, River Plate at revamped Club World Cup Football: Retiring Aoyama scores as Hiroshima cruise in ACL2 Football: Long-time journalist, FIFA award winner Kagawa dies at 99 To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible “HELLO INDIE 2025,” will return to Sendai PIT in Miyagi on Sunday with an exciting lineup of performers announced Originally launched in 2014 as a multi-venue circuit event in Sendai “HELLO INDIE” has grown to become a major fixture in Japan’s indie music scene The event has previously featured a diverse range of influential artists Following a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic the 2024 edition of “HELLO INDIE” introduced a “Pay What You Can” model where attendees could choose their own ticket price This donation-based approach will continue for the 2025 festival and attendees can pay via donation boxes or QR codes located at the venue guests will be required to pay for two drinks upon entry The 2025 lineup includes six standout Japanese acts: Ganguu the festival will welcome DO MAKE SAY THINK a renowned post-rock instrumental band from Toronto the band has garnered a devoted international following Their 2017 album Stubborn Persistent Illusions won two Juno Awards for Best Instrumental Album and Best Album Artwork This marks their first visit to Japan in 15 years making their performance at the event a highly anticipated highlight With its diverse lineup and unique approach to ticketing “HELLO INDIE 2025” promises to be an unforgettable experience for indie music fans in Japan Stubborn Persistent Illusions Do Make Say Think HELLO INDIE 2025 will once again feature a joint audition with the music distribution service FRIENDSHIP. following its successful collaboration in 2024 The audition is open to both amateur and professional musicians from all regions offering one lucky group the chance to perform at HELLO INDIE 2025 official pre-sale ticket registration for the event will begin at 8:00 PM on Tuesday access to the venue will be limited to 1,000 attendees with priority given to those who have made a pre-registration and secured tickets if the event reaches capacity 2025 (Sunday)Doors Open: 12:30 PM / Show Starts: 1:00 PMSendai PITTwo-stage setup / Limited to 1,000 attendees TicketsPay What You Can (Attendees set their own ticket price at the venue)There will be a tip box and QR codes for payments at the venue2-drink fee required for entry Official Pre-saleApril 1, 2025 (Tuesday) 8:00 PM – April 27, 2025 (Sunday) 11:59 PMZaiko: https://coolmine.zaiko.io/buy/1yvd:FBo:ca8cd General SaleMay 17, 2025 (Saturday) 10:00 AM –Zaiko: https:/coolmine.zaiko.io/buy/1yvd:FBn:38e5c AuditionHELLO INDIE × FRIENDSHIP. Joint Audition 2025Application PeriodApril 1, 2025 (Tuesday) 8:00 PM – April 20, 2025 (Sunday) 11:59 PMApplication FormFRIENDSHIP. Entry Page: https:/friendship.mu/special/helloindie2025/ NiEW Best Music is a playlist featuring artists leading the music scene and offering alternative styles in our rapidly evolving society the NiEW editorial team proudly curates outstanding music that transcends size Japan has a huge affection for cherry blossoms The flowers have been admired in Japanese culture since ancient times and have ultimately become an integral part of it was once an activity exclusive to the elites but is now an annual tradition that everyone can appreciate a time when people gather to enjoy the beauty of the flowers and celebrate the start of spring there are over a hundred types of wild and domesticated varieties of sakura trees in Japan and the excitement over hanami is strong as ever Read on to find out about all the cherry blossom hotspots in the Muslim-friendly city of Sendai Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region which covers the northeastern part of Japan’s main island of Honshu It takes around 2 hours or less to reach Sendai from Tokyo via the Tohoku Shinkansen Another convenient way to reach Northern Japan is by air Sendai’s cherry blossoms usually bloom one to two weeks later than those in Tokyo If you happened to miss out on cherry blossoms in Tokyo and an international airport equipped with a prayer room making it a convenient destination for Muslim travelers Sendai Masjid / Islamic Cultural Centre of Sendai (ICCS) Access: From Sendai Station take the Sendai International Airport Access Line (approximately 25-35 minutes depending on the service) Sendai has a range of great spots for sakura-viewing many of these places come alive with events and crowds The following are some sakura hotspots worth checking out in Sendai and its suburbs approximately 1,200 cherry trees along the 8-kilometer-long banks of the Shiroishi River start blooming against the backdrop of the snow-capped Zao Mountains The Ogawara Sakura Festival is held on the riverbank of Shiroishigawa Park during cherry blossom viewing season take a train (approximately 35 minutes) to Ogawara Station Funaoka Castle Park is known as one of the top 100 cherry blossom hotspots in Japan The track of the slope car that goes to the Heiwa Kannon Statue on top of the park is surrounded by cherry trees that form a breathtaking flower tunnel during the peak season Passing through feels like entering a pink you will be stunned by views of cherry blossoms along the river and more than 1,300 sakura trees in the park take a train (approximately 30 minutes) to Funaoka Station Funaokajoshi Park Tsutsujigaoka Park is an ideal place for cherry blossom viewing and a fun hanami experience within the city limits of Sendai a big cherry blossom festival is held in the park with stalls and activities to celebrate the blooming of about 350 shidare zakura (weeping cherry trees) and somei yoshino trees The festival dates depend on when the flowers are in bloom visitors can enjoy a view of the beautiful flowers lit up by spotlights and lanterns until 9:00 p.m Just one minute away from nearby Sendai Station is Hotel Metropolitan Sendai where you can dine at the Muslim-friendly Restaurant & Café Serenity Please be aware that bookings must be made at least a week in advance for the Muslim-friendly meal options approximately 13 minutes by foot or 3 minutes by foot from Tsutsujigaoka Station Tsutsujigaoka Park Hotel Metropolitan Sendai The historical Shiwahiko Shrine and Shiogama Shrine share the same grounds and are famous for their rare varieties of cherry blossom trees There are over 300 trees of 40 different varieties in total a type of yaezakura (cherry blossom with multiple layers of petals) Shiogama zakura are considered so valuable that they are designated National Natural Monuments which makes the Shiogama zakura blooms appear fuller than other varieties you can visit Osanko Chaya for some takeout dango rice dumpling options (all are Muslim-friendly except for the soy-sauce dango) or head to the Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market to enjoy their kaisendon seafood bowls Be sure to bring your own halal soy sauce if you need it take a train (approximately 30 minutes) to Hon-Shiogama Station Shiogama Shrine Another cherry blossom hotspot with convenient access is Nishi Park in downtown Sendai This historical park is a go-to for many locals and well-known as a site for nighttime cherry blossom viewing Visitors can admire over 200 lit-up cherry trees comprised of somei yoshino It is also in a neighborhood that has several Muslim-friendly restaurants take the subway (approximately 3 minutes) to Omachi Nishi-koen Station This itinerary starts in the morning at Shiroishigawa-Tsutsumi Hitome Senbonzakura cross the Shibata Senokyo Bridge to get to Funaoka Castle Park Admire the cherry blossom tunnel as you travel to the top of the hill on the slope car head back to Sendai Station and recharge with a bowl of noodles at Dashiro End the day with nighttime cherry blossom viewing at Sendai Tsutsujigaoka Park check out Nishi Park’s eddo-higan and yama-zakura cherry blossom varietals or Shiwahiko Shrine and Shiogama Shrine for the Natural Monument of Shiogama zakura these rare varieties of the flower are no less impressive than the previous day’s sea of cherry blossoms take the JR Tohoku Main Line about 30 minutes to Funaoka Station walk about 17 minutes along the Shiroishigawa-Tsutsumi Hitome Senbonzakura to Shibata Senokyo Bridge and then about 10 minutes to Funaoka Castle Park walk about 15 minutes back to Funaoka Station take the JR Tohoku Main Line about 30 minutes back to Sendai Station walk about 15 minutes to Dashiro for lunch walk about 1 minute from Sendai Station to Hotel Metropolitan Sendai to eat at Restaurant & Café Serenity (at least 1-week advanced notice for Muslim-friendly options) enjoy an evening stroll to see the cherry blossoms lit by colorful paper lanterns at Sendai Tsutsujigaoka Park Night-time cherry blossom viewing has a completely different atmosphere to the daytime take the subway about 3 minutes to Omachi Nishi-koen Station and walk to Nishi Park then change to the JR Senseki Line and travel about 30 minutes to Hon-Shiogama Station walk about 15 minutes to Shiwahiko Shrine and Shiogama Shrine There are many great places for cherry blossom viewing outside of Tokyo and Kyoto Head north to the Tohoku region to enjoy beautiful blossoms and scenery Sendai has many options both within the city and around it It’s the perfect destination for those interested in a less mainstream or more laidback place to add to your cherry blossom-centered Japan itinerary Metrics details Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with extended lifespan and differentiation potential that can recapitulate in vivo characteristics could significantly contribute to basic research they could ensure a stable supply of specific cellular resources we established a technology for extending the lifespan while maintaining differentiation potential termed “rejuvenation,” of hMSCs (rej-hMSCs) using nonintegrative and conditionally removable temperature-sensitive Sendai virus (SeV) vectors and/or HPV E6/E7) were first introduced by the SeV vector into the cells or SV40T conferred markedly improved cell proliferation and cloning ability while maintaining differentiation potential and a normal karyotype An extended lifespan was also demonstrated in other cell types The rejuvenation of long-passaged or aged hMSCs was also confirmed SeV vectors were rapidly removed as a function of cell doubling by increasing the temperature from 35 °C to 37 °C or higher while proliferative ability was maintained the complete removal of SeV vectors was confirmed by qPCR analyses our cell rejuvenation technology could contribute to research and clinical applications by enabling the supply of modified cells without damaging host chromosomes the fact that immortalization vectors generally work by introducing foreign DNA into a host chromosome confers a risk of genomic damage which can lead to a loss of cellular integrity SeV vectors are expected to prolong the lifespans of most cell types which would facilitate the massive proliferation of cells and enable control of the expression of vector-encoded gene(s) under certain conditions because long-term expression using SeV vectors has yet to be established the cell proliferation characteristics of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and other cells transfected with these vectors have not been investigated we examine the rejuvenation of hMSCs using the SeV vector This method can help to overcome shortcomings associated with conventional methods to extend cellular lifespans and enable high cellular differentiation without integrating genes into the host genome we subsequently used MOI of 40 for co-infections of hMSCs with three different vectors suggesting that hTERT is essential for cells to exhibit an extended lifespan without developing major abnormalities The results obtained upon comparing transfection with SeV(Bmi-1 and HPV E6/E7) showed that the addition of HPV E6/E7 had minimal effect on cell proliferation Upon transfection with vectors encoding different combinations of immortalizing factors that include hTERT telomere elongation was observed only in the presence of Bmi-1 and hTERT (Fig and SV40T was judged to be suitable for extending the lifespan of host cells (Fig Biological effects following transfection of SeV(Bmi-1/hTERT/SV40T) and temperature change a Proliferation curves of Bmi-1/hTERT/SV40T-transfected cells: 35 °C culture of hMSC parental cell line 35 °C culture of SeV-infected hMSCs (SeV-hMSCs) and SeV-hMSCs subjected to temperature change from 35 °C to 37 °C The green arrow indicates the point at which the temperature was changed from 35 °C to 37 °C b Transmitted light (BF) and fluorescence (OFP GFP) images of cells transfected with three factors (Bmi-1/hTERT/SV40T) are shown: culture maintained at 35 °C and after temperature change from 35 °C to 37 °C c Transmitted light images of SeV(Bmi-1/hTERT/SV40T)-hMSCs in culture maintained at 35 °C and after temperature change from 35 °C to 37 °C d Changes in telomere length after transfection with Bmi-1/hTERT/SV40T and with and without removing the immortalization factors by temperature change e Representative karyotype image of SeV(Bmi-1/hTERT/SV40T)-infected cells after 90 days of passaging (normal karyotype) Differentiation potential of SeV(Bmi-1/hTERT/SV40T)-infected cells and d chondrocytes differentiated from parental and SeV-hMSCs a Comparison of the colony-forming ability in parental hMSCs and SeV-hMSCs after 14 and 120 days of infection b Representative karyotype image of cloned SeV-hMSCs c Proliferation curve of representative cloned MSCs d Representative images of differentiated cloned SeV-hMSCs (adipocyte differentiation Growth and morphology of a single clone isolated at different cell ages a Red arrows indicate cryopreservation points of hMSCs for single-cell cloning test (hMSCs at early Black arrows indicate points of SeV vector infection (hMSCs at early and cell growth-arrested stages on days 21 b Photographs of SeV vector-infected cells (early- and late-stage hMSCs) and SeV vector-uninfected hMSCs (control) before single-cell cloning c Images of SeV infection test results on mitotic cells (growth arrested-stage hMSCs day 90): cells immediately before SeV infection SeV vector-infected cells (2 weeks after infection date) and SeV vector-uninfected cells cultured for 2 weeks (control) We examined the effect of the SeV vector on adipose- and bone marrow-derived hMSCs in serum-free culture considering their potential use in a clinical context We confirmed that extended lifespans of adipose- and bone marrow-derived hMSCs (hMSC-AT/hMSC-BM) could be achieved in the same way as for umbilical cord-derived hMSCs (Fig We also performed SeV infection of human fibroblasts (HFL-1) human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and rat MSCs and confirmed that similar effects could be conferred on these various cell types (Figs Analyses of SeV-hMSCs following removal of the SeV vector a RT-qPCR results for SeV vector in parental hMSCs (hMSC Free) and SeV-hMSCs cultured at 37 °C after sorting from 37 °C (hMSC GOB sorted 37 °C) or 39/37°C culture (hMSC GOB sorted 39 –37 °C) b Growth curve and accumulative cell number of SeV-hMSCs and SeV-removed hMSCs The temperature was shifted on day 22 and cell sorting of fluorescence-negative cells was performed on day 32 c Representative karyotype image of SeV-removed hMSCs d Telomere length analysis of hMSCs at each stage Each gene was introduced individually into a single vector as we sought to examine the best combination of immortalized genes and optimal balance of gene expression to induce rejuvenation in this study similar efficiency may be achieved by loading three tandemly connected factors in a single SeV vector This work provides the advance of using nonintegrative SeV vectors as conditional immortalization technologies while avoiding the damage to the host chromosome previously associated with introducing genes Another advance provided by this work is that the extended lifespan of cells induced by introducing the three immortalization factors using temperature-sensitive mutant SeV vectors allows the unlimited proliferation of hMSCs but this can be abolished by changing the temperature if required this technique using SeV vectors with three immortalization factors may be effective even in cases where cells from a living organism are highly heterogeneous or only aged cell populations can be obtained the timing of SeV removal is key to obtaining large numbers of valuable cells Conditional rejuvenation using SeV vectors is helpful for efficiently immortalizing living cells without losing their properties or damaging host chromosomes This technique is expected to contribute to basic research and clinical applications as a tool for generating various cell lines including normal and cancer cells with slow proliferation This technique is also expected to help mechanize and automate the process of cell generation and enable the industrialization of regenerative medicine by enabling the mass production of standardized cells with additional functions our study indicates that the combination of hTERT-mediated telomere elongation and SV40T-mediated proliferative potential produced a long-lived cell population with high cell proliferative potential the use of temperature-sensitive SeVs allows the timing of SeV removal to be precisely set removing SeVs from cells with desirably elongated telomeres may allow the selection of cells with particularly strong replicative capacity after SeV removal This would allow the acquisition of a greater number of homogeneous cells and their extracellular vesicles by cloning MSCs and other cells for regenerative medicine This technique would also enable designer cells to be created by chromosome transfer or gene transfer Immortalization genes were then cloned into SeV vectors that had been manufactured to GMP grade by ID Pharma The efficiency of SeV infection was examined at each MOI Infection efficiency differs depending on the cell type and experiments were conducted to identify the MOI that can produce almost 100% infection efficiency The temperature of the culture was changed from 35 °C to 37 °C or higher at the desired time point of each experiment The following commercially available cultured cell lines were obtained: bone marrow-derived MSCs [hMSC-BM; product name: Ultrapure Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (REC) PuREC Corporation] for evaluating the status of infection; cord blood-derived MSCs (product name: Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells; normal ATCC PCS-500-010) for determination of immortalizing factor combination infected mass and cloned cell culture analysis and SeV removal experiments; and adipose-derived hMSCs (hMSC-AT; PromoCell; C-12977) and hMSC-BM (PromoCell; C-12974) for serum-free culture The serum-containing medium for culturing hMSCs was D-MEM (low glucose) and bFGF (20 ng/mL) (Thermo Fisher Cultures) with culture occurring in a 5% CO2 incubator the StemFit for Mesenchymal Stem Cell (AJINOMOTO; A3) medium was used as a serum-free medium Culture dishes were coated with iMatrix-511 silk as culture substrate (Matrixome; 892 091) Ltd.) were cultured in collagen-coated dishes using rat subcutaneous fat-derived mesenchymal hepatocyte growth medium (MSA-GM; Cosmo Bio Co. RCB0521; RIKEN) were cultured in Ham-F12 medium supplemented with 15% heat-inactivated FBS and penicillin–streptomycin (100 units/mL) HUVECs (C-12205; Promocell) were cultured in the medium used for endothelial cells (1001; ScienCell) Relative quantification of telomere length was performed via real-time PCR using genomic DNA as a template Genomic DNA extraction from cells was performed using the Gentra Puregene Kit (Qiagen) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions The primers used for real-time PCR were the telomere primer set and the single-copy reference primer set provided with the Relative Human Telomere Length Quantification qPCR Assay Kit (ScienCell Research Laboratories) PCR reagents were 2× GoldNStart TaqGreen qPCR master mix included in the kit PCR reaction conditions followed the manufacturer’s recommendations PCR reactions and data acquisition were performed using StepOnePlus (Life Technologies Japan) Data analysis was performed with StepOne Software v2.3 Cells were seeded into 96-well plates divided into compartments with a determined cell number per well and cultured in a 5% CO2 incubator at 35 °C until single cells formed colonies Half of the medium was changed every 3 days to avoid disturbing colony formation Commercially available differentiation kits (Promo Cell) were used for MSC differentiation and included the following: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Adipogenic Differentiation Medium 2 (C-28016) for adipocyte differentiation Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteogenic Differentiation Medium (product code C-28013) for osteoblast differentiation Mesenchymal Stem Cell Neurogenic Differentiation Medium (product code C-28015) for neuronal cell differentiation and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Chondrogenic Differentiation Medium (product code C-28012) for chondrogenic differentiation Adipocyte differentiation was confirmed using Lipi-Green (product code LD02; Doujin Chemical) a fluorescent dye that exclusively stains fat droplets Osteoblast differentiation was confirmed by alkaline phosphatase staining Neuronal cell differentiation was confirmed using NeuroFluor NeuO (product code ST-01801; VERITAS) a fluorescent dye that exclusively stains neurons Chondrocyte differentiation was confirmed by Alcian blue staining Chromosome analysis was performed using the quinacrine–Hoechst staining method chromosome slides were immersed in 50 mL of McIlvaine solution (280 mL of 0.1 M citric acid and 220 mL of 0.2 M disodium hydrogen phosphate were mixed and autoclaved) B-2883-25MG; Sigma) was added to 50 mL of McIlvaine solution for 30 min After washing the chromosome specimen slides they were immersed in McIlvaine solution for 5 min and then covered and sealed with cover glass using McIlvaine inclusion solution (1:1 mixture of McIlvaine solution and glycerol) karyotyping was performed using a microscope (AxioImager Z2; ZEISS) and software (Ikaros V5.7.4 CM/V5.4.12; Metasystems) The SeV vector containing SV40T was modified to include BFP and this vector was used for the removal experiment SeV-infected cells were cultured under two temperatures before cell sorting cells were cultured at 39 °C for 1 day and then at 37 °C for 8 days The isolation of SeV-depleted cells and subsequent flow cytometric analysis were performed using a FACS Aria Fusion (BD Biosciences) Harvested cells were cultured at 37 °C for 20 days SuperScript III Reverse Transcriptase (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was used to prepare cDNA Total RNA (1 µg) was used for cDNA synthesis cDNA was diluted to a theoretical total RNA concentration (4 ng/µL) TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was used for qPCR detection TaqMan Assay [20×] Mr04269880_mr (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was used as the primer and probe for Sendai virus detection TaqMan Assay [20×] Hs01060665_g1 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was used as the primer and probe for ACTB detection as an internal control The qPCR reaction was performed using the StepOne Real-Time PCR System and rej-MSCs were stained with allophycocyanin (APC)-conjugated anti-human CD90 antibody (5E10) and isotype control antibody (MOPC-173) (all from BioLegend) in PBS containing 2% FBS All antibodies were used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions Two independent FACS experiments were performed All FACS experiments were performed on CytoFLEX SRT (Beckman Coulter) and the results were analyzed by Kaluza software v2.1 Apoptosis was evaluated using the Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit (15342-54; Nacalai Tesque) which includes an Annexin V-FITC conjugate and propidium iodide (PI) in accordance with the protocol provided by the manufacturer β-gal senescence assay was performed using Senescence Cells Histochemical Staining Kit (CS0030; Sigma) The staining was visualized and captured using an optical microscope In five randomly selected fields of each dish stained and unstained cells were counted to analyze the proportion of SA-b-gal-positive cells All data generated are included within this published report and the associated Supplementary Information files The emerging era of cell engineering: harnessing the modularity of cells to program complex biological function The importance of stem cell senescence in regenerative medicine Senescence of mesenchymal stem cells (review) Strategies to address mesenchymal stem/stromal cell heterogeneity in immunomodulatory profiles to improve cell-based therapies Combined introduction of Bmi-1 and hTERT immortalizes human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells with low risk of transformation Immortalization of cementoblast progenitor cells with Bmi-1 and TERT Successful immortalization of endometrial glandular cells with normal structural and functional characteristics Prevention of senescence progression in reversibly immortalized human ensheathing glia permits their survival after deimmortalization Use of exogenous hTERT to immortalize primary human cells Immortalization of primary human prostate epithelial cells by c-Myc The Bmi-1 oncogene induces telomerase activity and immortalizes human mammary epithelial cells Establishment of three types of immortalized human skin stem cell lines derived from the single donor Efficient immortalization of human dental pulp stem cells with expression of cell cycle regulators with the intact chromosomal condition SV40-induced immortalization of human cells HPV16 E6 and E7 proteins cooperate to immortalize human foreskin keratinocytese EBV immortalization of human B lymphocytes separated from small volumes of cryo-preserved whole blood Chromosomal integration of adenoviral vector DNA in vivo Viral vector systems for gene therapy: a comprehensive literature review of progress and biosafety challenges A cytoplasmic RNA vector derived from nontransmissible Sendai virus with efficient gene transfer and expression Recent advances in conditional cell immortalization technology Song, N., Scholtemeijer, M. & Shah, K. Mesenchymal stem cell immunomodulation: mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 41, 653–664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2020.06.009 (2020) Petrenko, Y. et al. A comparative analysis of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells derived from different sources, with a focus on neuroregenerative potential. Sci. Rep. 10, 4290. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61167-z (2020) Sato, Y. et al. Tumorigenicity assessment of cell therapy products: the need for global consensus and points to consider. Cytotherapy. 21, 1095–1111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcyt.2019.10.001 (2019) Neri, S. Genetic stability of mesenchymal stromal cells for regenerative medicine applications: a fundamental biosafety aspect. Int. J. Mol. Sci. vol. 20 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20102406 (2019) Download references Yuji Nakayama at Tottori University for supporting the cell sorting We also thank Edanz (https://jp.edanz.com/ac) for editing a draft of this manuscript This research was partly performed at the Tottori Bio Frontier managed by Tottori Prefecture This study was supported in part by Research Support Project for Life Science and Drug Discovery (BINDS) from AMED under grant number JP24ama121046 (Y.K.) AMED under grant numbers JP24gm0010010 (Y.K.) and JP24bm1123038 (Y.K and Joint Research of the Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS) (ExCELLS program No Present address: Laboratory of Bioengineering Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences Department of Chromosome Biomedical Engineering The Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems The remaining authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74757-y Please help us improve PreventionWeb by taking this brief survey Your input will allow us to better serve the needs of the DRR community See the survey The ethos of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 the document that galvanised efforts to tackle risk head on The core message of this blueprint for resilience was clear: stop trying to manage disasters after they occur start managing disaster risks by reducing existing ones and refrain from creating new risks Raging disasters related to the climate change crisis are now affecting all countries and people no matter where they are With only five more years to go until 2030 all hands-on-deck is needed to achieve its full implementation of the Sendai Framework The author of the article is the Former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Please note: Content is displayed as last posted by a PreventionWeb community member or editor. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of UNDRR, PreventionWeb, or its sponsors. See our terms of use PreventionWeb is the global knowledge sharing platform for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR) was introduced to reassess and improve the way the world tackles disasters the world has seen a significant rise in the devastation involving natural hazards There is no doubt that the SFDRR offers instrumental insights into understanding disaster risks the SFDRR is only as effective as its execution Resilience cannot just be about managing disasters; it must be about ensuring long-term economic and social stability When this connection is made more consistently the SFDRR will have a far greater chance of achieving meaningful Disasters threaten to steal away precious development gains and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Vulnerable developing countries disproportionately bear the brunt of losses from disasters slowing – or even reversing – progress towards attaining the SDGs "Nothing erodes sustainable development like disasters which can often destroy decades of progress in minutes prevent and reduce risks before they manifest as disasters not only places the Sustainable Development Goals in jeopardy — it affects the most vulnerable people in the world first and worst."UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J In today's interconnected world, risk is increasingly systemic Actions in one system can create or reduce risk for another and the impacts of hazards can cascade across systems To address the challenge of systemic risk we must integrate disaster risk reduction into climate- and disaster-risk-informed policies and programmes and build coherence with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development We need to understand clearly that disasters are a product of the interaction of hazards with the vulnerability and exposure of people and assets as well as the coping capacity of financial We can prevent hazards from becoming disasters by identifying and anticipating these fault lines before a disaster occurs DRR must be fully mainstreamed into the UN's Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks A better understanding of the dynamic nature of risk is essential for accelerating risk-informed action towards the 2030 Agenda by all actors The increasing frequency and scale of shocks calls for better application of risk analytics to guide and underpin national development plans as well as sector-specific plans Next-generation multi-hazard risk tools are needed to better account for and model cascading and systemic risks and framing global development beyond 2030 and makes a clear global commitment to promote a disaster risk- informed approach to sustainable development at the local regional and global levels and accelerate progress on integrating disaster risk reduction into policies The Sendai Framework and the SDGs both reflect interconnected social and economic processes, and Sendai Framework monitoring has been designed to complement reporting on eleven indicators The Sendai Framework promotes social protection systems based on risk-informed early action programmes livelihood advancement programmes and inclusive policies Investment in DRR builds the resilience of households and communities to disasters and prevents backsliding into poverty when disasters strike Sendai Targets A C and E call for reductions in the impacts of disasters on people and in disaster-related economic losses and improvements in DRR strategies – thereby reducing poverty By transforming food systems, the agrifood sector can improve food production and security through comprehensive disaster and climate risk management and planning crop diversification including utilization of drought- and flood-tolerant crop varieties and adoption of water and soil moisture conservation techniques can reduce risks to food security Health must be integrated into disaster risk management to secure human health – including mental health and well-being Increase pandemic preparedness and response to enable early warning and manage diseases of the future Investing in risk-informed health infrastructure and systems can minimize disruptions in access to health services and provide life-saving assistance A holistic approach to reducing risks to the education sector includes DRR in school curricula at all levels Sustainable development programmes should promote safe school environments and a multi-hazard perspective – including conflict and child protection issues – to reduce vulnerability and exposure.  Structural gender inequality is an underlying driver of risk Increase investment in gender-responsive disaster and climate risk management By promoting and using sex-disaggregated data for systematic accounting of disaster losses we can improve risk knowledge for policymaking.  DRR strategies should be mainstreamed into rural and urban development planning wetlands and all other areas prone to droughts and flooding The robust and sustainable management of water resources reduces the impacts of water-related hazards.  Energy development programmes should promote a diverse risk-informed energy mix including retrofitting or rebuilding existing infrastructure They should foster a culture of maintenance to secure safe affordable and clean electricity necessary for resilient societies and economies and continuation of energy provision when hazards strike Risk-informed approaches should be pursued across sectors and policies  Business behaviour needs to adopt risk reduction measures Industries that drive risk creation need to be replaced by those that create jobs and investment decisions and systems – across all sectors health and education – should incorporate principles for resilient infrastructure  and nurture a culture of maintenance for resilient societies Social safety nets must be integrated into livelihood-enhancement programmes to bolster households' and communities' resilience to disasters and displacement – in the design financing and implementation of DRR policies and measures Sectors and agendas should form a coherent way forward particularly among least developed countries landlocked developing countries and small island developing States affected by cycles of disaster and debt Land-use policy and urban planning should mainstream DRR, local DRR strategies should be supported by relevant legislation, infrastructure regulations and risk-informed land-use planning, and multi-hazard urban risk assessments be updated to strengthen resilience – as supported in Making Cities Resilient 2030 D & E all promote more sustainable cities and communities Consumption and production patterns need to be re-orientated to prevent over-extraction of resources and environmental degradation Risk-informed management of existing levels of waste – including technological waste – can help to prevent the creation of new risk Climate change is one of the main drivers of risk It is time to scale up risk-informed climate action to reduce vulnerability and exposure to disasters and evade maladaptation programmes and financing must be integrated and comprehensive disaster and climate risk management must be promoted B and E promote climate action as a means towards reducing disaster deaths and as a component of DRR strategies Sustainable developments needs to include maritime nature-based solutions and risk-informed integrated coastal zone management Stronger multi-hazard and impact-based early warning systems are needed to allow for anticipatory and early action to mitigate the risks of ocean-related hazards such as storm surges and tsunamis We must scale up implementation of and investment in terrestrial nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for DRR and step up efforts to tackle desertification Peaceful and inclusive societies require improved capacity of State structures and social systems to commit to and scale up agile and comprehensive risk governance Institutions must be enabled to prepare for and respond to disasters to reduce humanitarian needs and strengthen trust in government DRR can be built into programming across sectors Stronger risk communication systems can provide timely access to adequate disaster risk information and engage citizens to think about resilience All of society must be engaged in DRR and a culture of risk reduction and resilience developed This requires scaling up capacity-building for data collection and technology transfer DRR financing strategies should be established across sectors for sustainable development and an evidence base for investment in DRR should be established There must be stronger oversight of an overhauled regulatory environment and new and innovative financing models need to be developed The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has released the latest findings from the Sendai Framework Monitor based on 2023 data. The findings underscore both advancements and ongoing challenges in global disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts. These insights are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly those related to poverty reduction the findings highlight that Least Developed Countries (LDCs) account for 26.6% of globally reported disaster mortality despite representing only 12.1% of the reporting countries' population Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) face higher mortality rates per 100,000 population compared to the global average underscoring the disproportionate impact of disasters on these vulnerable regions The head of UNDRR’s Bonn office stating that "A decline in disaster-related mortality parallel to an increase in disaster-affected population point to both an advancement in preparedness capability as well as the need to double down in our efforts to enhance resilience-building and addressing underlying risk drivers especially for countries in special situations." He also emphasized the need for comprehensive approaches to risk management and tailored support and solidarity with countries and communities to effectively address the growing impact of the climate emergency Launched in 2018, the Sendai Framework Monitor is the official reporting tool for countries on their progress in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Countries submit annual data along the 38 main indicators derived from the seven global targets of the Sendai Framework A summary of findings is available as a webpage and as a PDF download below an archaeological dig was undertaken at the Tomizawa site in Sendai as a preliminary inspection for the construction of an elementary school It had been long known as the site of a prehistoric settlement but no one expected to find what was buried underneath: a fossilized 20,000-year-old forest In favor of this unique archaeological site like no other the construction project was immediately dropped and moved elsewhere the Sendai City Tomizawa Site Museum—commonly known as the Underground Forest Museum—was founded to protect the site the forest is made up of spruce trees of a previously unknown species and takes up about 800 square meters of the subterranean space you can also find the remains of a campfire as well as deer dung and such Unearthed artifacts such as arrowheads and stoneware are exhibited on the upper floor and visitors are encouraged to touch one of the tree roots found at the site Outside the museum is a recreation of an Ice Age forest consisting of colder-climate trees similar to the Tomizawa spruce The Tomizawa site is said to be the only place in the world where such an old fossilized forest was found alongside human settlement remains spanning centuries from the Neolithic period to the Middle Ages and beyond On a corner of the Ardmeanach peninsula on the Isle of Mull a 50 million-year-old fossil tree hides in the coastal cliffs This sandstone tree trunk is a relic from a long-past era when England had a more tropical climate mysterious stone altars are hidden among wild woods in central Italy This Catskills museum preserves stumps from the earliest known fossil forest on Earth This captivating Bronze Age timber circle spent centuries concealed by the tides The eerie remnants of an ancient forest were hidden under the sand for centuries A preserved stretch of ancient fossilized trees with an impressive gem collection to boot The petrified remains of 150-million-year-old trees can be seen in and among the houses of the local villagers HK Express Airways has launched its direct Hong Kong to Sendai route, operating four times a week to the Japanese destination. The route was announced in September 2024. we’re dedicated to providing affordable fares and a variety of value-added services to meet our customers’ needs,” said HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao “Recognised as the world’s fastest-growing airline in 2024 we are excited to continue our growth journey with the launch of our first new destination in 2025: Sendai This expansion reflects our commitment to providing more travel options and connecting our passengers to new and exciting places we’ve increased our weekly flights between Hong Kong and Japan to nearly 170 flights to and from Hong Kong Our customers can now embrace the spirit of ‘Live More’ and choose to travel from a wide range of major cities in Japan with ease.” the airline relaunched its Hiroshima route following increasing demand for Japanese destinations “The central government has recently introduced a visa exemption policy for Japanese travellers and Japan has announced that it will ease visa restrictions for Chinese citizens,” Mao added “This can foster cultural exchange between the two countries and help boost local tourism the Cathay Group is expected to operate passenger services to 100 destinations worldwide we’re excited to attract more travellers from the mainland and abroad to Sendai It’s the perfect gateway to explore the surrounding cities and discover new travel adventures in Tohoku!” Experts from around the world met in Sendai on 8 March 2025 to explore how emerging and disruptive technologies can reshape disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience-building The ‘Leveraging Emerging and Disruptive Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Bridging Science, Technology, Academia, and Private Sector Nexus’ workshop, on the sidelines of the World Bosai Forum brought together national and local governments and financial institutions to overcome barriers and identify opportunities in integrating innovations such as AI and advanced analytics into DRR strategies.  The workshop emerged from to the Sendai Framework’s midterm review which called on the DRR community to address persistent gaps in applying scientific and technological advances in disaster resilience efforts.  there’s a pressing need to ensure that countries can access and use emerging technologies effectively Interagency Cooperation and Partnerships at UNDRR remarked during his opening remarks.  Mr Mohanty emphasised that while new tools are being rapidly developed countries face challenges related to affordability may introduce new risks if not managed with care.  A highlight of the event was the roundtable discussion featuring speakers from Bangladesh Japan’s private sector and academia.  noted how the country has drastically reduced disaster-related deaths—from over 100,000 in 1991 to near zero in 2024—yet struggles to scale satellite-based flood monitoring and data-sharing mechanisms He said the Bangladesh needs a national technology policy that integrates AI and blockchain along with more investment and public-private partnerships.  Alejandro IV of the Philippines outlined his country’s efforts such as the GeoRisk platform and IoT-enabled early warning systems but it must be paired with good governance inclusive policies and international collaboration Sendai City showcased successful collaboration through initiatives like BOSAI-TECH—a public-private-academic platform fostering DRR innovation and technology commercialisation Director at Sendai’s Disaster-Resilient and Environmentally Friendly City Promotion Office explained that local partnerships have yielded practical tools like evacuation guidance drones and voice-enhanced disaster alerts.  Speakers representing private sector participants discussed the financial and regulatory environments needed to bring DRR technologies to scale Yoshiki Hiruma of the Development Bank of Japan shared insights into DRR-linked financing that rewards clients with reduced loan rates for resilience-building initiatives He noted that risk financing must embrace a challenge mindset to support DRR innovation.  stressed the importance of mutual understanding and trust between governments and private weather service providers – particularly in countries where state meteorological services dominate the sector He offered the inclusive platform approach of Japan’s Meteorological Service Act as a model of such trust.  Participants from academia stressed the need for adaptive governance and robust dialogue.   Professor Rajib Shaw of Keio University called for more systematic evaluation of successful DRR tech collaborations and piloting through initiatives like the upcoming Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) DRR Innovation Hub He pointed out that governments and technology developers operate at different speeds and experimentation in order to bridge that divide.  Professor Kimio Takeya of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Tohoku University said that while proven technologies remain essential for national governments they must be extended with emerging tools that offer new ways to improve operations He cited JICA’s Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) programme – which funds international research on disaster risk reduction – as a model for innovation grounded in collaboration.  Mr Mohanty said that UNDRR will facilitate Global Partnership on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies for Disaster Resilience which will foster long-term collaboration and ensure that the next wave of DRR innovation is inclusive He remarked that the workshop had spotlighted the urgent need for a dedicated knowledge resource – one that captures good practices and deepens understanding of how emerging technologies are shaping the current DRR landscape.   Such a tool could bridge persistent gaps and drive more effective widespread integration of innovation into disaster risk reduction efforts.  Read the full summary report on the workshop Today's print edition Home Delivery Fourteen years after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami disaster public housing complexes are seeing more residents who are older and people who weren’t hit by the disaster moving in Residents in such housing complexes in Sendai are working with volunteers to run a children’s cafeteria and organize other events to provide opportunities for people of different generations to strengthen ties within their community.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); at the Tsubamesawa public housing complex in Sendai’s Miyagino Ward comprising some 50 households the head of the residents’ association who was visiting her In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Animal welfare is a relatively new concept in Japan and one restaurant in Sendai that opened last month is determined to raise awareness of it by using animal products sourced from cruelty-free environments “I hope to make the restaurant a place to connect producers who value animal welfare with consumers and I want to spread animal welfare from Sendai 11.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Animal welfare refers to the idea of improving an animal's quality of life so that it may live comfortably The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan hosted a national training workshop on the Sendai Framework Monitoring for Disaster Risk Reduction on 14-15 August 2024 The two-day workshop aimed to enhance governance in disaster risk reduction raise awareness of the importance of monitoring the implementation of the Sendai Framework and provide a deeper understanding of the need for disaggregated data on disaster losses to support informed decision-making regarding programs and resources allocated to risk reduction held at the headquarters of the National Center for Security and Crisis Management included a presentation of the Sendai Framework in addition to a detailed explanation of the monitoring of the framework and its importance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals The 38 indicators adopted to measure progress towards achieving the seven global targets of the framework were also reviewed participants moved to the Kempinski Hotel Amman where a hands-on training on the Sendai Framework Monitor was conducted The training focused on how to enter data related to each of the seven global targets of the framework The workshop concluded with a working session on the next steps where it was emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between all stakeholders to enhance Jordan’s capacity to face and mitigate disasters The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 represents a critical shift from disaster management to risk management and establishes resilience building as a common denominator for the 2030 Agenda Reported disasters continue to increase due to both improved reporting and increased exposure and vulnerability it should be recognized that there are significant gaps in the collection of missing data at the national level with data being collected for compensation purposes rather than informing the science-policy interface.Strong accountability is one of the cornerstones of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction supports Member States in reporting on the achievement of the seven global targets of the Sendai Framework using the Sendai Framework Monitor which is also the sole reporting tool to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs in New York on 11 indicators under the Sustainable Development Goals Office for Disaster Risk Reduction will hold an Asia-Pacific ministerial conference in the city of Sendai in autumn 2027 Such a meeting will be held in Japan for the first time agency and the Japanese government will formally agree on the event soon.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The Asia-Pacific ministerial conference is held roughly every two years allowing countries in the region to share findings and challenges about disaster prevention and response so that they may reduce damage from disasters Over 7,000 people from more than 40 countries including those from government bodies and research institutes According to the city government of Sendai the 2027 conference is expected to review the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction The city government also aims to share lessons learned from the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the state of recovery in the affected areas Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report KAGOSHIMA--The long losing streak continued for Kyushu residents trying to shut down the Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture operated by Kyushu Electric Power Co 21 rejected the request for a temporary injunction filed by 3,036 plaintiffs with many residing in the Kyushu prefectures of Kagoshima The number of plaintiffs gradually expanded as 12 separate groups filed lawsuits beginning in May 2012 and lasting until July 2019 The main points of the lawsuit were the safety of the Sendai plant amid the risks of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as well as whether evacuation plans for host communities were feasible Some of the plaintiffs submitted a separate lawsuit in 2014 seeking a temporary injunction but the Kagoshima District Court rejected it a year later The Miyazaki branch of the Fukuoka High Court also rejected an appeal Another group of plaintiffs filed an administrative lawsuit calling on the central government to rescind an approval to change reactor installation at the Sendai plant but in 2019 the Fukuoka District Court rejected the lawsuit Plaintiffs have appealed the case to the Fukuoka High Court Court: Denial of same-sex unions unconstitutional in nature 6 more victims sue over ‘agonies’ from forced sterilizations Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission driving a taxi is becoming an increasingly popular job In the nine months between April last year — the start of fiscal 2024 — and December a total of 350 people became cab drivers in the city a figure that is 3.5 times the number of new starters in the whole of fiscal 2021 when the number plunged amid the COVID-19 pandemic.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Several factors have contributed to the renewed interest in driving cabs one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region A shopping street was decorated with vibrant streamers and bamboo ornaments and tanzaku wish strips written by residents were displayed throughout the area Many of this year's wishes focused on supporting recovery efforts for the Noto Peninsula earthquake drawing visitors who stopped to admire them The Sendai area itself experienced severe devastation from the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11 The annual festival is celebrated around the seventh day of the seventh month according to the Japanese lunisolar calendar approximately 3,000 streamers in colors like blue and pink were on display with more than 250 of them exceeding 3 meters in length embellished with wish strips and folded cranes Among the wish strips written by elementary and junior high school students were messages such as "Unite our hearts toward reconstruction" and "Let's keep raising awareness [of the earthquake] among future generations to protect lives."  (Read the article in Japanese.)Author: The Sankei Shimbun You must be logged in to post a comment. ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Volume 8 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.806785 The reprogramming of cells into induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) which are faster and safer to generate than induced pluripotent stem cells holds tremendous promise for fundamental and frontier research as well as personalized cell-based therapies for neurological diseases reprogramming cells with viral vectors increases the risk of tumor development due to vector and transgene integration in the host cell genome the Sendai virus (SeV) provides an alternative integration-free reprogramming method that removes the danger of genetic alterations and enhances the prospects of iNSCs from bench to bedside Since pigs are among the most successful large animal models in biomedical research porcine iNSCs (piNSCs) may serve as a disease model for both veterinary and human medicine we report the successful generation of piNSC lines from pig fibroblasts by employing the SeV These piNSCs can be expanded for up to 40 passages in a monolayer culture and produce neurospheres in a suspension culture These piNSCs express high levels of NSC markers (PAX6 and VIMENTIN) and proliferation markers (KI67) using quantitative immunostaining and western blot analysis as they are capable of producing neurons and glia as demonstrated by their expressions of TUJ1 During the reprogramming of piNSCs with the SeV no induced pluripotent stem cells developed and the established piNSCs did not express OCT4 the use of the SeV can reprogram porcine somatic cells without first going through an intermediate pluripotent state Our research produced piNSCs using SeV methods in novel easily accessible large animal cell culture models for evaluating the efficacy of iNSC-based clinical translation in human medicine our piNSCs are potentially applicable in disease modeling in pigs and regenerative therapies in veterinary medicine the generation of piNSCs using the SeV has not been explored yet we generated piNSC lines from pig fibroblasts by utilizing an integration-free SeV approach The piNSCs displayed typical features of NSCs We anticipate that piNSCs will serve as novel easily accessible large animal cell culture models for evaluating the efficacy of iNSC-based clinical translation This pig model will allow us to assess the ultimate feasibility of personalized cell-based therapies our piNSCs might be useful for disease modeling in pigs this discovery is beneficial for veterinary medicine and possibly translation to human medicine The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the Faculty of Veterinary Science reviewed and approved the experimental animal used in this study (Approval ID: MUVS-2015-49) All chemical compounds and cell culture reagents were acquired from Sigma-Aldrich (St All cells were incubated in a humidified 5% CO2 incubator at 37°C The PTFs (passages 3) were seeded on 6-well plates at a density of 1 × 104 cells/cm2 1 day before viral transduction to achieve approximately 60%−70% confluency at the time of transduction The PTFs were transfected with SeV at a multiplicity of infection of 5 in an FM for 24 h the culture medium containing the SeV was removed and replaced with a new FM the medium was switched to the iNSC medium (iNSCM) comprising DMEM/F-12 and a neurobasal medium at a ratio of 1:1 supplemented with 2% B-27 supplement 20 ng/mL human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; R&D Systems) and 10 ng/mL human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) the cells were dissociated with a 0.25% trypsin- ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution and replaced on a Matrigel-coated plate in piNSCM the appearance of epithelium-like colonies was monitored Colonies with epithelium-like morphology were large enough to be collected around days 16–21 and were transferred onto an in vitro fertilization one-well dish for expansion Sub-culturing at a 1:5 ratio with Versene® Solution was performed every 2–3 days for further experiments Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into porcine induced neural stem cell (piNSC) lines using an integration-free Sendai virus (SeV) (A) Schematic diagram illustrating the piNSC generation timeframe (B) Phase-contrast image of porcine tail fibroblasts (PTFs) treated with SeV transfection overnight (C) Phase-contrast image of an emerging piNSC-like colony 21 days after transfection (Passage 0; P0) The arrow indicates the extent to which the area of the cell in (C) was magnified in the high-resolution image (D) (D) High-resolution image of the cells in the inset in (C) (E) Phase-contrast image of piNSC-like colonies after first passage (P1) which are positive for early NSC markers PAX6/NESTIN [(F) which were positive for PAX6/NESTIN and SOX2 would be propagated to establish self-renewing piNSC lines Morphology of iNSCs at P5 when cultured in a Matrigel-coated dish (H) and the formation of neurospheres when maintained in a suspension culture (I) piNSC-derived neurons showed typical neuronal morphology (J) The formation of neurospheres was investigated for iNSCs by resuspending 10,000 cells per well in iNSCM in 96-well plates covered with poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) a fresh medium was added to the suspension cultures Neurospheres were counted using a light microscope seven days after the suspension and collected for further study To induce spontaneous neuronal differentiation piNSCs (P20) were dissociated and re-plated into a 6-well dish or a 24-well plate with Matrigel-coated at a density of 2 × 104 cells per cm2 in the neuronal differentiation medium (the piNSCM without bFGF and hEGF) The media was replaced every 2 days for 14 days Phase-contrast image analysis was performed daily to monitor cell differentiation in each well At days 0 (proliferating piNSCs) and 14 (neuronal differentiation) the cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for immunofluorescence analysis and manually detached for western blot analysis The cells were seeded at a density of 1 × 104 cells per well in a 96-well plate and maintained for two days in an iNSCM Cell proliferation was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay at various time points during culture (at 12 10 μl of the CCK-8 reagent was applied to live cells in 96-well plates and suspension NSCs (100 μl/well) were incubated for 3 h at 37°C with 5% CO2 The absorbance at 450 nm was used to determine the number of cells The CCK8 standard curve was used to quantify the number of viable cells according to the Dojindo CCK-8 procedure cells were seeded in 96-well plates at 2.5 × 104 The wells containing only media (without cells) were used to determine the background 10 μl of CCK8 was added to each well and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 3 h The CCK8 standard curve was established by plotting the number of cells vs The coverslips were mounted on glass slides with an antifade mounting medium with DAPI (Vectashield and visualized using a Leica DMi8 inverted fluorescence microscope equipped with a Leica DFC7000 camera and the TCS SP8 confocal microscope equipped with a DFC3000G camera (Leica Microsystems at least 40 z-stacks with 0.6–0.7 m intervals were acquired All images were analyzed using the Leica Application Suite X (LAS X) imaging or ImageJ (NIH USA) software to detect single fluorescence intensity measurements The images were measured in 20 randomly selected fields on each slide at a magnification of ×200 At least three slides were scanned for each group to determine the expression of these markers (n = 3 independent experiments) Data are presented as the mean fluorescence intensity value ± SEM after background signal subtraction The percentage of positive cells per total number was based on the number of fluorescence marker-positive cells and DAPI-positive cell numbers measured by DAPI nuclear staining using ImageJ List of antibodies used for immunofluorescence and western blot analysis The chemiluminescent detection was achieved using peroxide/luminol-S (ProteinSimple) The chemiluminescent images of separated proteins in the capillary were acquired with Compass Simple Western version 5.0.1 software (Build 0911 Protein Simple) that automatically measured the area (chemiluminescence intensity) The results are shown as electropherograms reflecting the peak of the chemiluminescence intensity and as a lane view from the chemiluminescence signal detected in the capillary The relative density was calculated by dividing the peak area of the protein of interest by the peak area of β-actin The karyotype analysis followed a previously described procedure with minor modifications (40) piNSC lines (P20) were cultured in a 6 cm culture dish at approximately 70% confluence and treated with a 5 μg/mL Colcemid solution (KaryoMAX™ Solution) for 1 h at 37°C The cells were gently dissociated using Versene® Solution and then treated for 15 min at 37°C with a hypotonic solution (75 M KCL) They were treated three times in a cold fixing solution (1:3 acetic acid to methanol concentration) The fixed cells were transferred to cool microscope slides and maintained at 37°C overnight The slides were stained with Giemsa solution after soaking in a 0.05% trypsin EDTA solution at 37°C The images of 50 metaphases were captured by a Nikon Eclipse Ni with DS-Ri2 camera (Nikon Instruments Japan) and analyzed by LUCIA Cytogenetics (Nikon Instruments Primers used for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction Each experiment was conducted a minimum of three times The quantitative results were expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) The data was analyzed statistically using one-way analysis of variance for comparisons of more than two groups and the student's t-test for comparisons of the two groups Tukey's test was employed as a post hoc multiple comparison test for differences All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version 25 software (IBM Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05 We used a pig tail to generate PTFs and iNSCs in this investigation The generation of piNSCs was established in three replicates based on their indefinite self-renewal potential and multipotency differentiation for further analysis Each experiment involving two piNSC lines was performed at least three times Characterization of porcine induced neural stem cell (piNSC) lines the piNSCs had a neuroepithelial morphology and expressed the cell proliferation marker KI67 (green) as well as neural stem cell markers including PAX6 (green) but not the pluripotency marker OCT4 (green) (B) The population cell doubling time of piNSC lines (C) Quantitative evaluation of cell proliferation and neural stem cell markers in piNSC lines Means with different lowercase letters are significantly different at P < 0.05 Characterization of porcine induced neural stem cell (piNSC) lines (continuous) (A) Karyotype analysis of the piNSC lines showed a normal karyotype (B) Western blot images of neural stem cell expressions (PAX6 and NESTIN) and quantification of the western blot results β-actin was used as an internal control Expression of exogenous and endogenous factors (A) Expression of exogenous factors (hOCT4 Sendai virus (SeV) RNA and endogenous factors (pOCT4 and pNANOG) was analyzed between 37 and 39°C for viral inactivation (B) Fold change of SeV RNA expression in PTF and piNSCs at 37 and 39°C as determined by real time-PCR Both piNSC lines were able to form neurospheres (3D) in suspension cultures with similar efficiency, which were homogeneous in size and shape on day 7 (Figures 5A,B). Additionally, immunofluorescence labeling revealed that the neurospheres expressed NSC markers (PAX6, SOX2, VIMENTIN) and a proliferation marker (KI67) (Figure 5C) piNSCs display neural progenitor features that can be obtained from the PTFs by SeV reprogramming Neurosphere formation of porcine induced neural stem cell (piNSC) lines (A) Phase-contrast image of neurospheres on day 7 (C) Immunofluorescence staining of neurospheres exhibits the expression of the cell proliferation marker KI67 (red) as well as neural stem cell markers The scale bars in (A) and (C) represent 100 μm our data indicate that piNSCs have the capacity for multipotent neuronal differentiation In vitro differentiation potential of porcine induced neural stem cell (piNSC) lines (A) Phase-contrast image of neural differentiation derived from piNSC lines on day 7 and day 14 of differentiation (B) Neural differentiated from piNSC lines expressed immature neuronal marker (TUJ1 (C) Quantitative analysis of neurons and astrocytes derived from piNSC lines and GFAP were measured in 20 images per marker in each cell line under identical optical settings (D) The VSMUi002-E piNSC line exhibited myelin basic protein (MBP) which is predominantly expressed in oligodendrocytes The scale bars in (A) and (B) represent 20 and 50 μm Western blot analysis of neural differentiation derived from porcine induced neural stem cell (piNSC) lines Western blot images of immature neuronal (TUJ1) mature neuronal (MAP2) and astrocyte (GFAP) expression and quantification of the western blot results SeV expression was significantly decreased after the temperature change Using the non-integration SeV for reprogramming we effectively produced piNSC lines without going through an intermediate pluripotent stage this is the first attempt to use the SeV to directly reprogram somatic cells into NSCs in a porcine species These piNSCs may provide an intriguing tool for determining the ultimate feasibility of disease modeling in pigs and cell-based regenerative treatment for human medicine this finding is useful for veterinary medicine and the prospect of human medical translation The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author The animal study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Faculty of Veterinary Science WC and SR were responsible for funding acquisition including the establishment and characterization of piNSCs RR was responsible for the initial cell reprogramming process LS was responsible for the molecular analysis JF and SR contributed to the review and editing of the final manuscript All authors approved the final version submitted for publication This research has received funding support from the NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development Research and Innovation [Grant number B05F630046] and Mahidol University [Basic Research Fund: fiscal year 2021] The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher We would like to express our gratitude to the following experts and institutions for their contributions: Thanks to Prof Kamthorn Pruksananonda and Pranee Numchaisrika from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for the equipment provision and technical assistance we would like to thank Sirikron Pamonsupornvichit for doing the karyotype analysis and Wipawee Pavarajarn for assisting with the cell reprogramming process we would like to thank Supath Tantivitayamas and Onvara Ritudomphol from Histocenter Thailand Co. for providing a Leica DMi8 inverted fluorescent microscope equipped with a Leica DFC7000 camera Utarat Imsaard from Hollywood International Ltd for providing a DS-Ri2 camera and the LUCIA Cytogenetics System and Nawapol Udpuay and staff of Mahidol University-Frontier Research Facility (MU-FRF) for providing the flow cytometry machine and Jess automated western blotting we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the MoZWE and their staff for providing laboratory space and technical help The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.806785/full#supplementary-material Induction of pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic and adult fibroblast cultures by defined factors Research and therapy with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): social Generation and expansion of highly pure motor neuron progenitors from human pluripotent stem cells PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text Effects of the post-spinal cord injury microenvironment on the differentiation capacity of human neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells Generation of serotonin neurons from human pluripotent stem cells Neural differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells follows developmental principles but with variable potency Highly efficient neural conversion of human ES and iPS cells by dual inhibition of SMAD signaling Virtual karyotyping reveals greater chromosomal stability in neural cells derived by transdifferentiation than those from stem cells Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into neural stem cells by defined factors Direct reprogramming of Sertoli cells into multipotent neural stem cells by defined factors Direct conversion of mouse fibroblasts to self-renewing Direct reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts to neural progenitors Direct conversion of fibroblasts into stably expandable neural stem cells Expandable and rapidly differentiating human induced neural stem cell lines for multiple tissue engineering applications Direct reprogramming of mouse and human fibroblasts into multipotent neural stem cells with a single factor Tumourigenicity and immunogenicity of induced neural stem cell grafts versus induced pluripotent stem cell grafts in syngeneic mouse brain Induced neural stem cells generated from rat fibroblasts Generation of integration-free and region-specific neural progenitors from primate fibroblasts Generation of integration-free neural progenitor cells from cells in human urine Robust and reproducible generation of induced neural stem cells from human somatic cells by defined factors Generation of integration-free induced neural stem cells from mouse fibroblasts Transdifferentiation-induced neural stem cells promote recovery of middle cerebral artery stroke rats Induced neural stem cells achieve long-term survival and functional integration in the adult mouse brain PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Generation of pig induced pluripotent stem cells using an extended pluripotent stem cell culture system Exogenous LIN28 Is required for the maintenance of self-renewal and pluripotency in presumptive porcine-induced pluripotent stem cells Pathologic analysis of the brain from Streptococcus suis type 2 experimentally infected pigs Nonsuppurative encephalitis in piglets after experimental inoculation of Japanese encephalitis flavivirus isolated from pigs Direct reprogramming of porcine fibroblasts to neural progenitor cells Efficient exogenous DNA-free reprogramming with suicide gene vectors Conversion of human fibroblasts to stably self-renewing neural stem cells with a single zinc-finger transcription factor Dopaminergic precursors differentiated from human blood-derived induced neural stem cells improve symptoms of a mouse Parkinson's disease model Development of Sendai virus vectors and their potential applications in gene therapy and regenerative medicine Efficient induction of transgene-free human pluripotent stem cells using a vector based on Sendai virus an RNA virus that does not integrate into the host genome Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from human terminally differentiated circulating T cells Generation of two human iPSC lines (MDCUi001-A and MDCUi001-B) from dermal fibroblasts of a Thai patient with X-linked osteogenesis imperfecta using integration-free Sendai virus Generating primary fibroblast cultures from mouse ear and tail tissues PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Automated Western immunoblotting detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies Rabbit induced pluripotent stem cells retain capability of in vitro cardiac differentiation Conversion of adult human peripheral blood mononuclear cells into induced neural stem cell by using episomal vectors Direct conversion of mouse fibroblasts into induced neural stem cells Derivation of adult human fibroblasts and their direct conversion into expandable neural progenitor cells Corrigendum: non integrative strategy decreases chromosome instability and improves endogenous pluripotency genes reactivation in porcine induced pluripotent-like stem cells Identification of embryonic neural plate border stem cells and their generation by direct reprogramming from adult human blood cells Induction of neural progenitor-like cells from human fibroblasts via a genetic material-free approach Single-factor SOX2 mediates direct neural reprogramming of human mesenchymal stem cells via transfection of in vitro transcribed mRNA Concise review: application of in vitro transcribed messenger RNA for cellular engineering and reprogramming: progress and challenges Pharmacological reprogramming of fibroblasts into neural stem cells by signaling-directed transcriptional activation A combination of small molecules directly reprograms mouse fibroblasts into neural stem cells Chemical reprogramming and transdifferentiation PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Causes of genome instability: the effect of low dose chemical exposures in modern society Generation of induced pluripotent stem cell lines from Tibetan miniature pig Derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells from pig somatic cells Take the shortcut - direct conversion of somatic cells into induced neural stem cells and their biomedical applications Ferreira JN and Rungarunlert S (2022) Generation of Porcine Induced Neural Stem Cells Using the Sendai Virus Received: 01 November 2021; Accepted: 13 December 2021; Published: 12 January 2022 Copyright © 2022 Chakritbudsabong, Sariya, Jantahiran, Chaisilp, Chaiwattanarungruengpaisan, Rungsiwiwut, Ferreira and Rungarunlert. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Sasitorn Rungarunlert, c2FzaXRvcm4ucnVuQG1haGlkb2wuZWR1 Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish 2-3 October 2024 – A national training workshop on the Sendai Framework Monitor for Disaster Risk Reduction was held in Cairo organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in collaboration with relevant Egyptian national authorities The two-day training aimed to enhance national authorities’ understanding of the importance of disaster risk reduction governance and establishing sound institutional arrangements to support risk reduction efforts at the national level in addition to deepening awareness of the importance of monitoring the implementation of the Sendai Framework and training relevant authorities in the periodic reporting process on the use of the Sendai Framework Monitor The training deepened understanding of the need for disaggregated data on disaster losses to enhance meaningful analysis that guides decision-making on programs and resources for risk reduction the Sendai Framework Monitor focuses on accurate data collection and analysis to enhance effective policy- and decision-making in the areas of disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.  Assistant Secretary-General of the Cabinet for Crisis and Disaster Affairs opened the workshop with a speech in which he welcomed the participants and stressed the importance of intensifying national efforts to govern disaster risk reduction and coordinate policies between all vital sectors Chief of UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States expressed the office’s commitment to supporting Egypt in its efforts to achieve the targets of the Sendai Framework referring to the long and fruitful partnership with Egypt.  “Our office supports Arab countries in establishing a disaster loss database and periodically entering data into the Sendai Framework Monitor in line with global monitoring deadlines which aim to feed global analyses and reports including the Global Sustainable Development Report and the UN Secretary-General’s report on disaster risk reduction.” The workshop included several training sessions and presentations that addressed the importance of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction the process of defining terms and indicators the links to the Sustainable Development Goals and the time frame for the monitoring process as well as how to record data related to losses and damages resulting from disasters including the mechanism for entering data into the monitoring system The sessions also addressed the various global targets of the Sendai Framework and reporting on progress made towards achieving them This training is part of the ongoing efforts of the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States in implementing and monitoring the Sendai Framework and promoting sustainable development in the region the workshop stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between different government agencies in addition to developing national strategies for disaster risk reduction to ensure better preparedness for disasters and enhance resilience in the future Oulun kaupungin verkkomedia – lämpimällä sydämellä Oulusta The Sendai delegation in Oulu included the city's political leadership and officials as well as representatives of Tohoku University Hospital Recently the cities renewed their cooperation agreement for another five years aiming to elevate collaboration to a broader Oulu University Hospital and Tohoku University Hospital also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) underscoring their commitment to joint progress The aim of the Sendai City delegation’s visit to Oulu was to strengthen cooperation between the cities and renew the cooperation agreement between Sendai and Oulu cities for the next five-year period Sendai’s Vice Mayor Shinichi Takahashi and Mayor of Oulu Ari Alatossava signed the agreement at a formal ceremony held at Oulu City Hall on Tuesday as the partnership has consistently yielded tangible benefits over two decades “This is already the fourth cooperation agreement between the cities” Senior Advisor in Business Oulu for Japan International Affairs we’ve completed many concrete projects across various sectors the Oulu Game Lab and Global Lab Sendai have worked together on educational initiatives in the game industry We’ve also jointly showcased Oulu- and Sendai-based game companies at the Tokyo Game Show and facilitated similar collaborations for ICT companies at trade fairs” Lots of Japanese company headquarters are located in Tokyo metropolitan area which means that the decision making for international business is not done in Sendai for many cases “Typical matchmaking between Oulu-based companies and Sendai-based companies is not a viable solution for us to foster cooperation across industries we focus on business clusters and entire ecosystems across industries which has proven to work and thus delivers tangible results” Uchida envisions the renewed agreement enabling deeper cluster- and ecosystem-based cooperation “Local municipalities must play a role in driving this growth making ecosystem collaboration key between Oulu and Sendai” The partnership will leverage the strengths of both cities to explore new opportunities in ICT Startup collaboration is particularly focused on health and life sciences and Polar Bear Pitching events complementing Sendai’s startup ecosystem and Sendai for Startups Oulu University Hospital and Tohoku University Hospital have also shared innovations through platforms like OYS Testlab and Tohoku’s Open Bed Lab adopting best practices to enhance their piloting services,” Uchida explains The renewal of the MoU between the two hospitals marks another milestone “Signing an official document like MoU is not a quick process I’ve been working on building collaboration between the two hospitals since 2016 OYS and OuluHealth delegation visited Tohoku University Hospital in Sendai and last June Oulu hosted an Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine conference in which key people from Tohoku University Hospital attended It was a perfect opportunity to set up a meeting between Oulu and Tohoku university hospitals and the decision to renew the MoU was made” Japan and Finland face similar challenges in healthcare such as aging populations and shrinking workforces These issues have brought Oulu and Sendai’s university hospitals closer together the Memorandum of Understanding between two hospitals was updated for the next five years Oulu University Hospital Director Miia Turpeinen highlighted the value of their cooperation “The first MOU cooperation document between Oulu and Tohoku University Hospitals was signed in 2020 we’ve learned from their practical experiences but our collaboration goes beyond our shared experiences” “We need modern solutions and technologies to address our shared challenges in healthcare Our goal is to support companies in developing innovations that benefit both hospitals the two university hospitals aim to modernize operations and drive meaningful improvements for the future of healthcare” The partnership has provided Finnish companies with valuable connections in Japan while experts from Tohoku Hospital have lent their expertise to Oulu-based initiatives Plans are underway to establish an exchange program for professionals focusing on areas like cleft patient treatment where OYS holds national responsibility in Finland “This program would allow our professionals to learn new techniques and improve care quality in Finland” When asked about the broader benefits of international partnerships “OYS currently has no other similar international partnerships but new collaborations are in the pipeline Our Sendai connections will be instrumental in developing these.” The renewed cooperation agreements promise to elevate collaboration between Oulu and Sendai to new heights With plans in motion and concrete progress visible this partnership exemplifies how long-term cooperation can drive meaningful outcomes across sectors munoulu@ouka.fi Postiosoite: Mun Oulu / Oulun kaupungin viestintä Toimituksen yhteystiedot Palaute ja juttuvinkit The first ‘Tourism Resilience Summit’ in APAC was held in Sendai City one of the devastated areas by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and adopted ‘Sendai Statement.’ The Summit was led by Japan Tourism Agency in cooperation with UN Tourism to discuss resiliences of tourism destinations and tourism operators in preparation for possibly coming natural hazards or crises like COVID-19.  and UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)  Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) stressed at a ministerial meeting that how important tourism resilience is amid a variety of crises occur worldwide explaining that UN General Assembly in February this year designated 2027 as the international sustainable resilience year.  She also added that efforts for tourism resilience is an investment to the future UN Tourism Zoritsa Urosevic talks about tourism resilience they shared an idea that natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the vulnerability of the tourism sector to external pressures As tourism is expected to grow substantially in both scale and influence they recognized that tourism resilience is of utmost importance in the world for SDGs efforts They also shared knowledge and experiences from each of the countries Japan introduced tourism crisis managements in each region and new tourism destination developments with lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake such as ‘Michinoku Shiokaze Trail,’ a wide-area tourism route in Tokoku.  ‘Sendai Statement’ states that it is important to prepare in advance ensure the effective function of response systems and collect and communicate accurate information to prevent and minimize the impacts of crises and disasters caused by natural hazards The expected initiatives before a crisis are to anticipate and evaluate risks based on the geographical conditions and characteristics of the tourism industry in each region and also to identify stakeholders( roles in advance to establish coordination systems.  potential risks should be informed to tourists and the spread of misinformation after the events should be prevented and controlled simulations and capacity building of both individuals and organizations for crises should be improved.  the statement says that it is essential to absorb the Impacts of crises and disasters caused by natural hazards and recover through adaptation and transformation The expected initiatives are to apply insights gained from past experiences to develop a tourism strategy to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors and to develop and promote tourism products throughout the entire community in line with the future vision.  improvement of tourism resilience is a common challenge globally but we have not shared knowledge and experiences accumulated by each of the countries,” Tetsuo Saito “We will take concrete steps to make Japan a leader in tourism resilience and will increase the number of participating countries in the second and subsequent summits while letting the world know that this is a meaningful initiative.” Sendai Mayor Kori (left) and Saito expalined about Sendai Statement at a news conference The 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai City in 2015 adopted ‘Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.’  revealed that the city has drawn up a tourism crisis management manual Sendai City will work with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region to further improve tourism resilience and promote its importance both domestically and internationally,” She said “We will make efforts to secure safe travel through training or educational seminars for tourism operators.”  The welcome reception was held in Akiu Onsen before the summit and tourism resiliences workshops for tourism operators were also organized participants visited heritages of the Great East Japan Earthquake to learn how Sendai City has recovered from the disaster.  Welcome reception at 'Sakan' rokan in Akiu Onsen Tourism Resilience Summit board in Sendai Station Excursion to one of the earthquake heritages A guide expained how Arahama Elementary School was dmaaged by the earthquake.