title: The first six years at the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Japan.
abstract: The National Institute for Longevity Sciences (NILS) of Japan opened on July 7, 1995, 15 years after the Science Council of Japan recommended the establishment of the National Center for Aging and Geriatric Illnesses (the provisional name for NILS) in 1980. During the first four years of operation, 8 separate research departments, containing 21 laboratories, were established. NILS has both research departments for biomedical sciences, such as dementia research, molecular genetics, and geriatric research, and also departments of gerontechnology and the care of the elderly, which engage in research directed toward the comprehensive improvement of the health and well- being of the elderly. On July 9, 1995, the day of the opening ceremonies, NILS employed only three staff members, including the director general. At the end of fiscal year 2000 (March 31, 2001), the institute comprised a staff of more than 200 people, including 30 senior science staff and about 50 junior scientists. The Japanese government has recently decided to expand NILS to double its present size by the end of fiscal year 2004 (March 2005).
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Aichi 474-8522, Japan. kitani@nils.go.jp
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitani
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D002017:Budgets; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007564:Japan; D008136:Longevity; D012106:Research