As the word "Evidence-based Medicine (EBM)" has been disseminated, we realized that data that serve as the bases for treatment and prevention had hardly been available in Japan. Evidences are pro-duced by clinical research (typically clinical trials) and epidemiological studies as well as meta-analyses that statistically integrate study results. The insufficiency of evidences in Japan comes from inadequate finan-cial investment necessary to put the ideas of researchers into practice and non-existent infra-structure, namely manpower and systems, to support research activities.
Clinical/epidemiological research consists of a number of processes that require expert knowledge and experience, such as planning, proto-col development, data management/coordination, sta-tistical analysis, and report writing. The mission of Japan Clinical Research Support Unit is, in coopera-tion with other organizations such as Biostatistics / Epidemiology and Preventive Health Sciences of University of Tokyo and Public Health Research Foundation, to support researchers in these aspects of their activities and provide education to researchers and support staff. Unlike the field of basic medical research of which Japan has been maintaining a high standard just as the U.S. and Europe have, we are more than 20 years behind from the western countries in regard to infrastructure development for clinical and epidemiological research. In order to catch up with the West and con-tribute to the well-being of Japanese people without losing the consensus, it is essential to build a network of researchers and support staff, connecting individu-als first and gradually forming a large web (J-CRSU's organization logo symbolizes this process of network building, just like connecting isolated dots to form a line and weaving individual lines to create a solid plane). We will continue our grass-root activities with-out fear of making errors.
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