J-SUPPORT will establish a permanent multicenter clinical research system for supportive, palliative, and psychological care, and will work together with patients and the public.

 The Japan Supportive, Palliative and Psychosocial Oncology Group (J-SUPPORT) was established in 2016 with support from the National Cancer Center Research and Development Fund (Principal Investigator: Yosuke Uchitomi). Since its establishment, J-SUPPORT has aimed to serve as a sustainable hub for multicenter clinical trials and clinical research in supportive care, palliative care, and psycho-oncology. While pursuing scientific excellence, we have developed a strong mentoring system and promoted the development of evidence-based interventions through the active involvement of patients, families, and members of the public (Patient and Public Involvement: PPI).

To date, all 22 research projects approved by J-SUPPORT have successfully obtained competitive research funding.* All completed projects have resulted in published scientific papers.

Furthermore, one of these studies—an olanzapine trial for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting**—has contributed to the development of clinical practice guidelines and ultimately led to insurance coverage in Japan.

In fiscal year 2024, I had the honor of assuming the role of Group Leader.

Building on the achievements and traditions of J-SUPPORT, we have launched a new palliative care research group to further strengthen the evidence base for palliative care and psycho-oncology beyond the period of active cancer treatment. We also aim to establish a research infrastructure for PPI-based intervention studies.

Through these new research groups and research projects, we will further strengthen our networks and collaborative frameworks.

We will also support research ideas initiated by patients and members of the public and develop fundamental educational programs and seminars to foster the next generation of researchers.

I believe that the most important element underpinning our activities is our connection with one another.

When we encounter questions in daily clinical practice—“Why does this happen?” or “Is there a better way?”—and seek to answer them through research, passion alone is not enough. Equally important is the presence of colleagues with whom we can share a common purpose and think, “I want to conduct research together with these people.”

If you share our vision and aspirations after visiting this website, I warmly invite you to join us, connect with one another, and deepen our collaboration.

The mission of the renewed J-SUPPORT is to inherit and build upon the strengths that previous J-SUPPORT staff members have established, while embracing new challenges together with patients, families, and members of the public.

Let us move forward together!

*Data as of September 1, 2026.

**The Lancet Oncology 21(2): 242–249, 2020.

Hiromichi Matsuoka, M.D., Ph.D.

Chair, Japan Supportive, Palliative and Psychosocial Oncology Group, J-SUPPORT

April 2024