Wakayama Medical University (School of Medicine), supported by the Sakura Science Exchange Program of JST, invited seven researchers (three graduate students, three researchers, and one professor) who are conducting research on proteomic and metabolomic analyses at the field of urology in Chang Gung University (School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Taiwan) for seven days from Feb. 12 to Feb. 18, 2025.

On the Wakayama Medical University side, Profs. EHATA Shogo (pathology), HARA Isao (urology), and SHIGERI Yasushi (chemistry) supported this program. During their stay, they shared and discussed the latest information on biomarkers of urologic-related disease at School of Medicine in Wakayama Medical University. They also visited the university hospital and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences to observe a medical practice that provides safe and high-quality medical cares, and pharmaceutical education. Moreover, they visited Shimadzu company and its foundation memorial museum to learn the latest development of clinical and analytical machines and technology.

On the first day, the group arrived at Kansai International Airport from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport around noon. A welcome party was also held at dinner time.

On the second day, they visited Shimadzu company and its Foundation Memorial Museum. After a brief overview by Mr. OKUYAMA Junji overseas sales unit for China and Taiwan in Shimadzu company, the participants enthusiastically observed the clinical-related machines and analytical instruments. In addition, at the Shimadzu Foundation Memorial Museum, they learned the history of science and technology in modern Japan.

On the third day, they visited the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Wakayama Medical University) and learned the Japanese pharmaceutical education.

On the fourth day, the group visited Yoshino Mt., which is registered as a World Heritage site on the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". They participated in an evening service at Kinpusen-ji, a sacred site of Shugendo, and purified their bodies and minds. Afterwards, they had dinner and overnight stay at a Japanese hotel (so-called ryokan), where they enjoyed Japanese culture.

On the fifth day, after breakfast, the group returned to Wakayama using JR train and explored Wakayama city.

On the sixth day, they visited the university hospital that has specific functions in Wakayama Prefecture, as follows. The hospital's roles include provision of advanced medical care, development and evaluation of advanced medical technology, training in advanced medical care, and advanced medical safety management system. In the afternoon, they moved to School of Medicine, where a seminar on Wakayama Medical University (Japan)-Chang Gung University (Taiwan) Medical Research Symposium was performed. Active discussions were held mainly on urological biomarkers and pathogenesis of related diseases.

On the seventh day, they moved to Kansai International Airport and returned to Taiwan by an afternoon flight.