The first 3-year term of METIS was launched under the co-chairmanship of Dr. Yasuhisa Sakurai, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo Women’s Medical University, and Mr. Tsutomu Kanai, Chairman of the Board of Hitachi Ltd. The fundamental roles and scheme of activities of METIS were introduced.

The second term, under the co-chairmanship of Dr. Fumihiko Kajiya, Vice President of Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, and Mr. Takashi Wachi, Representative Director & Chairman of Terumo Corporation, focused activities on “Selection of Priority Themes,” “Improvement of Environment and Infrastructure to Facilitate Development” and “Improving the Social Recognition of Medical Devices.” METIS expedited the process of making the medical device industry a part of national policy and established a Citizen’s Forum on Medical Devices.

In the third term, Dr. Kajiya and Mr. Wachi continued as co-chairmen. Among activities to drive a 5-year strategy, METIS led a project to expedite inspection and improve regulations as well as introducing a program of special zones for innovative medical treatment and other programs to develop the infrastructure.