Honorary Chair Message
GreetingsIt was in January 1961 that I encountered a child patient, aged 4 years and 3 months, who was to become the first known case of Kawasaki disease. Fifty years have elapsed since then. At the time, I had no choice but to discharge the patient as “diagnosis unknown.” Fortunately, the child suffered no sequela, and is currently enjoying a full and active life as an adult.
Since then, the incidence of Kawasaki disease has continued to grow in Japan. The number of patients to date has reached over 250,000. Why does the number of patients continue to grow? Why can’t we stop this disease? The reason, unfortunately, is that its cause is not known.
At the time I first described the disease, I felt that we were on the threshold of discovering its cause, since its symptoms were extremely clear-cut. Despite the efforts of numerous researchers, however, we are still searching. It is my strong hope that young researchers will be able to identify the root cause of this disease.
Tomisaku Kawasaki
President
Japan Kawasaki Disease Research Center
The first English-language report of 50 patients with Kawasaki Disease (KD) in 1974 by Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki.
"Acute Febrile Muco-Cutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome in Young Children With Unique Digital Desquamation: Clinical Observation of 50 Cases," [Japanese and English translation].
Arerugi [Jpn J Allergology], 1967,16(3):178-222.
Curriculum Vitae
Tomisaku Kawasaki, MD
Present Position:
Director,
Non-profit Organization Japan Kawasaki Disease Research Center
1-1, Sudacho, Kanda, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 101-0041
Personal Information
| Birth Date: February 7, 1925 (86 y/o) | |
| Birth Place: Asakusa, Tokyo | |
| Nationality: Japanese |
Education
| Chiba Medical University Medical School, Chiba Graduated, 1948 |
Training
| Chiba Medical University Medical School, Chiba Graduated, 1948 |
Training
| 1948-1949 | Intern in Pediatrics, Chiba Medical University Hospital |
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Work Experience and Appointments
| 1999 | Director of the Non-profit Organization Japan Kawasaki Disease research Center |
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| 1992 | Chief of Japan Kawasaki Disease Research Center |
| 1990 |
Retired from Japan Red-Cross Medical Center Established Japan Kawasaki Disease Information Center (Japan Kawasaki Disease Research Center from 1992) |
| 1983 | Chief of the Health labor and Welfare Ministry's Research Grant Study Group on Kawasaki Disease |
| 1980 | Chairman of the 1st Kawasaki disease Symposium in the 16th International Academy of Pediatrics (Meeting Chairman: professor Ballabriga, Barcelona) |
| 1974 | Chief of the Health labor and Welfare Ministry's Research Grant Study Group on Kawasaki Disease |
| 1973 | Division Chief of Pediatrics, Japan Red-Cross Medical Center |
| 1968 | Vice Division Chief of Pediatrics, Japan Red-Cross Central Hospital |
| 1957 | Doctorate degree in Medicine |
| 1950 | Resident in Pediatrics, Japan Red-Cross Central Hospital (Japan Red-Cross Medical Center at present) |
| 1949 | Resident in Pediatrics, Chiba Medical University |
Awards and Achievements
| 2010 | Honorary Citizen of Tokyo Metropolitan |
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| 2006 | The First Japanese Society of Pediatric Award |
| 1996 | The 12th Tokyo Metropolitan Culture Award |
| 1995 | Honorary Member of the Japanese Pediatric Society |
| 1994 | Honorary Member of the American Pediatric Society |
| 1991 | The 81st Japanese Academy Award for the establishment of diagnosis of Kawasaki disease and epidemiological study |
| 1990 |
The Asahi Award for the study of Kawasaki disease T. Duckett Jones Memorial Lecture on Kawasaki disease at the American Heart Association Scientific sessions 1989. |
| 1988 | The 40th Health Culture Award |
| 1988 | Japan Medical Association Award for the study of Kawasaki disease |
| 1987 | The 33rd Takeda Medical Award for the discovery and epidemiological and clinical study of Kawasaki disease |
| 1986 | The 4th Behring-Kitazato Award |
