On May 11, 2026, Professor Yasutaka Omori visited Astana Medical University and the Research Institute of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection as part of the ongoing international collaboration with the Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine of Hirosaki University, Japan.
The joint research project, implemented within the framework of the current Memorandum on Scientific Cooperation, is aimed at assessing radon safety among the population living in uranium-mining regions of Northern Kazakhstan.
The primary purpose of Professor Yasutaka Omori’s visit was the replacement of CR-39 radon detectors previously installed in the settlements of Aksu and Zavodskoy in the Akmola Region, as well as the continuation of radiation-related research activities. During the visit, the detector replacement plan was coordinated and successfully implemented. As a result of the joint fieldwork conducted between May 11 and May 15, 2026, a total of 57 CR-39 detectors were replaced in the study areas. In addition, the dates of the next mission of Japanese specialists were agreed upon to continue the epidemiological study in the settlement of Saumalkol.
With the participation of Japanese scientist Professor Yasutaka Omori, Director of the Research Institute of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection M.M. Bakhtin, and Chief Researcher D.S. Ibrayeva, discussions were held regarding the SATREPS (Japan) scientific and technical program. The discussions included further cooperation with governmental authorities, as well as strengthening and refining comments and recommendations provided by Japanese experts. Furthermore, the thematic directions of the ISTC project, its expected outcomes, and the distribution of responsibilities among the participating parties in accordance with the competition requirements were reviewed.
As part of the meeting, doctoral students of the 8D05101 – “Biology” educational program at Astana Medical Universitywere congratulated on receiving the FY2026 ERAN Collaborative Researcher Grant of the Environmental Radioactivity Network Center (ERAN, Japan).
The grant recipients were:
• Anel Bolatkyzy Lesbek – 3rd-year doctoral student;
• Elvira Makhambetkyzy Musayeva – 1st-year doctoral student;
• Madina Argynovna Kairullova – 1st-year doctoral student.
During the meeting, Professor Yasutaka Omori congratulated the young researchers on receiving the international grant and emphasized the importance of developing joint scientific projects between Kazakhstan and Japan in the fields of radiation safety, radioecology, and public health protection.
