Public Health Services

Sector of Examination and Research

1. Examination Services
   The Sector performs examination services upon requests from administrative agencies such as the Bureau of Public Health, public health centers, and the Special Wards, to protect the health of Tokyo citizens. The services are broad ranging from the examination of pathogens for infectious diseases and food poisoning outbreaks to testing of pharmaceutical products, household products, food, air, and water.
   The results of such examinations form the basis of administrative measures based on relevant laws and regulations, and provide scientific credit to the Metropolitan public health administration.
   
   
2. Research Works
   The Sector conducts research for improving and developing test methodology. We also conduct basic and applied research in public health, and preceding surveys on microorganisms and chemical substances that could be expected to affect health. Research works are systematized into eight disciplines, and further classified into general investigations, research projects, collaboration research, commissioned research, and subscribed research.
   In order to enhance the research works, to improve the creativity of researchers, and to promote greater research effectiveness, the Sector evaluates research works according to general principles of research evaluation. Specifically, a Research Coordination Committee (of committee members in the Institute) and Research Evaluation Council (of councilors outside the Institute) evaluate the researches according to factors such as necessity, efficiency and scientific validity.
   The results of the research works are published in academic conferences in Japan and abroad, academic journals, the annual report of the Institute of Public Health, and research reports.
   
   
3. Training and Quality Assurance
   The Sector provides technical training for technical personnel (public hygiene inspectors, food inspectors, environmental sanitation inspectors, and pharmaceutical safety inspectors) in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Special Wards. We also receive international trainees upon requests from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), etc.
   The main tasks of the quality assurance section are "ensuring the reliability of food hygiene testing" and "investigating quality assurance in private clinical laboratories and Metropolitan/Ward public health centers".
   
   
4. Analysis and Provision of Public Health Information
   The Sector has established a Regional Information Disease Surveillance Center within the Institute according to state order to know the trend of infectious disease incidence in Tokyo. Here it collects and analyzes information on patient and pathogens in collaboration with related agencies such as medical institutions and health centers in Tokyo.
   Such analysis results are published in the "Infectious Diseases Weekly Report, Tokyo" and "Monthly Epidemiological Record, Tokyo", which are sent to health centers and medical institutions. They are also available on the Internet (http://idsc.tokyo-eiken.go.jp).
   Through the establishment of the meeting on Health and Safety Information, it also collects, analyzes, and evaluates public health information, and exports such information on health risks and safety to the Health Bureau and relevant departments.
   In addition to providing administrative agencies with information, it also releases the research works to Tokyo citizens via a Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Health Seminar, and publishes a public information journal (Kurashi no Kenko). It presents a tour inside the institution.
   

Sector of Regional Food and Pharmaceutical Safety Control

1. Food inspection
   Monitoring and guidance are performed based on the Food Sanitation Law and Standards and Labeling Based on the Law Concerning Standardization and Proper Labeling of Agricultural and Forestry Products (the JAS Law) to ensure the safety of foods. Through the set up of a Food Surveillance Mobile Unit, imported food surveillance unit, a HACCP guidance unit, and market surveillance unit, it conducts supervising and inspecting of goods in the following: large-scale food processing plants, food distribution bases, imported/warehouse industries, and hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) plants, and market in the Tama area. As a result, when foods that violate regulations are detected, the Sector moves to quickly recall such foods in collaboration with Health Centers and Food Safety Control Section of Bureau of Public Health. The Sector is prepared to "emergency surveillance" in case hazardous foods are recalled urgently.
   In addition, it conducts preliminary investigations for the collection of basic information in order to prevent food-related accidents before they occur and to establish food regulatory standards.
   
   
2. Pharmaceutical Inspection
   The Sector of Regional Food and Pharmaceutical Safety Control conducts field inspection, sampling, and labeling examinations, based on the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law to guarantee the quality, efficacy and safety of drugs, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices (hereafter, "pharmaceutical products"). It also conducts field inspection under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law to prevent health and hygiene problems caused by poisonous and deleterious substances. When the violations are detected, it orders rapid improvement, suspension of sales, or recalling of products under the regulations, to protect the safety of citizens.
   It mainly conducts licensing, inspection, and guidance for pharmacies and drug retailers, and narcotic retailers. In addition, it conducts inspection and guidance for drug manufactures and importers, poisonous or deleterious substance manufactures, importers and handlers, and psychomimetic and psychostimulant ingredients.