Shokei Shibata (1849-1910) was the second son of the Owari Clan doctor Shuji Nagasaka, and the adopted son of another Owari Clan doctor, Sokei Shibata (1794-1868). His own elder brother, Sekitai Nagasaka (1845-1924), was also a doctor, but was also a well-known Sinologist and literary man. It is highly likely that the conventional portrait of Shokei attributes to him. Shokei’s first son was Keita, Keita's son was Shoji, Shokei's second son was Yuji, and his son was Minao. All of these people were prominent members of the family. Shokei's acquaintances in the pharmaceutical field included Zenan Kumazawa (1845-1906), Teizo Iimori (1851-1916), Junichiro Shimoyama (1853-1912), Keizo Tanba (1854-1927), Gendo Ooi ( 1855-1930), and Tokichiro Niwa (1856-1930). He also co-authored and co-translated many books with his friends. Shokei is buried at Koukokuji Temple in Tokyo. Shimoyama's tomb is located at Josenji Temple in Tokyo, and the epitaph was composed by Shokei's brother Sekitai, who was skilled at Chinese calligraphy. Shimoyama's statues are located at the University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, and Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture. There remains an autographed letter written by Shokei, who had a close friendship with Tanba. Tanba's statue is at the Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, and his tomb is at the Tama Cemetery. Many of his relics have recently been donated to the Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences by several of his descendants. A statue of Ooi, the coiner of the term pharmacognosy, is in Edogawabashi Park, and his tomb is at Manpukuji Temple.

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Objective: This paper describes transitions in drug development in Japan over the past 20 years since the beginning of the 21st century by surveying drugs approved in Japan, doing so with a focus on new drugs originating in Japan (domestic-origin drugs). Methods: A survey was conducted using the List of Approved New Drugs of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) to identify drugs containing new active ingredients (new drugs). For periods when the PMDA did not publish information, the authors used the Prescription Drug Package Insert XML and New Drug Application Review Report Database ─ New Drugs in Japan created by the Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center (JAPIC). Next, the domestic and overseas origins of the new drugs were investigated by referencing approval review reports, interview forms, and other documents of each company, and the modalities were then classified. Results and Discussion: The number of domestic-origin drugs in Japan had been decreasing since the 1990s, but this trend reversed in the 2010s. While small-molecule drugs still account for the majority of approvals, the number of macromolecule biopharmaceuticals of domestic-origin drugs, including antibody drugs, has been gradually increasing since 2005. In recent years, expensive biotech drugs, especially cancer therapy drugs, have dominated the pharmaceutical sales rankings, and new blockbuster drugs that target a large number of patients are becoming a thing of the past. The number of domestically produced macromolecule biopharmaceuticals, where Japan lagged behind, has been gradually increasing. The 20 years since 2001 can be described as a period of shift from small-molecule chemical pharmaceuticals to macromolecule biopharmaceuticals and multimodalities.

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Purpose: Based on the history of pharmaceutical sciences, the authors developed English writing learning materials for undergraduate students and examined the usefulness of these materials. Method: Two different types of learning materials were prepared by extracting and reorganizing the sentences from a book on the history of pharmaceutical sciences, Molecules That Changed the World, written by K. C. Nicolaou and T. Montagnon. Results: These materials were successfully used to illustrate and practice English writing techniques. The questionnaire survey completed following use of the materials clearly showed that students had an interest in the history of pharmaceutical sciences and learned English writing techniques effectively. Conclusion: The history of pharmaceutical sciences, such as antibiotics and vitamins, can attract the interest of a wide range of students and can be effectively used as learning materials for examples and exercises of English writing techniques.

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Purpose: The origin of Passiflora distributed in the Japanese market is generally assumed to be Passiflora incarnata. However, it was reported that P. edulis may be present in some of them. Passiflora incarnata is the species best known as a sedative. It is distributed from Brazil, southern North America, and throughout Central and South America. In Western Europe, it has long been used in herbal medicine. On the other hand, P. edulis is grown as an edible fruit in many countries, with Brazil being the world?s largest producer. It is also listed in the recent Brazilian Pharmacopoeia FB5 (2010) and FB6 (2019) for medicinal purposes. The genus also includes P. alata. In Brazil, P. alata has long been used in phytotherapy as a sedative and anxiolytic. Therefore, in this study, the author investigates the transition in the standards and test methods of Passiflora listed in FB1 (1929) to FB6 (2019). Furthermore, in recent years, since 2000, overseas academic literature on Passiflora has been extracted and information on the phytochemical components and biological activity of P. edulis and P. alata investigated. After this, the author considered the possibility that both species could exhibit the same biological effects as P. incarnata and researched the possibility of substitutes. Method: 1) The author investigated the transition in standards and test methods for Passiflora based on P.edulis and P. alata listed in FB1 (1929) to FB6 (2019). 2) In recent years, since 2000, overseas academic literature on Passiflora, whose root plants are P. incarnata, P. edulis, and P. alata, was extracted. He then examined the differences between the two species, transition due to advances in analytical chemistry techniques, and effects on biological activity in the phytochemical composition of P. edulis and P. alata.

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Purpose: In the Edo period, each clan had a full-time doctor who treated and administered medicine to the family of the clan lord. However, there are many unclear points about the usage situation in each clan: the types of regular medicines, the patient, the amount taken the date of use, and the caregiver. For this study, the author clarifies the actual situation. Method: In order to elucidate the abovementioned points, it was decided to decipher and analyze the OIEKATA OYAKUCHO. This literature (i.e. Feudal Lord Medicine Management Book) was discovered in the area ruled by the Mino Naegi Clan. Results : In the Mino Naegi Clan, regular medicines were properly managed according to this medicine management book. The contents described are the name of doctor on duty, the names of the drugs used, the purpose of use, the amount taken, and the date of use. Conclusion: The Mino Naegi Clan used five types of regular medicines, one of which is a pediatric medicine. The medicine management book was written in 1831, but records from before that time are also recorded. The records reported were from 1791 to 1869. In this way, they were recorded by successive generations of doctors over a long period of time, and this exemplifies the level of strictness with which it was handled. Records show not only the feudal lord family, but also the feudal lord’s horses were given medicine. Based on the above facts, the doctor doubled as a pharmacist and a veterinarian. The medicines used were as following: (1) Sokumeitan, (2) Enjutan, (3) Sekiryutan (for children), (4) Kokyutan, and (5) Kiougan (for children).

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There are three reports describing which, what, and how pharmacists did their work in hospital pharmacies in the Meiji Period (Horioka and Tsuruoka: 1971, 1977; Horiguchi: 2008). In this study, the author investigated Tokyo Byoin Yakuzaishi Kyogikai (Tokyo Council of Hospital Pharmacists) during that period. The following books, journals, and materials were used: Yakuzaishi, Yakugaku Zasshi, Farumashia, Chronicle of Japan Pharmaceutical Association (1973), and materials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Archives and National Diet Library Digital Collection. The Tokyo Council of Hospital Pharmacists (TCHP) was founded in 1896 by Dr. Tokichiro Niwa, and was staffed with hospital pharmacists from the city of Tokyo. TCHP hosted events, lectures, and meetings several times a year. Through TCHP, Dr. Niwa created a network of hospital pharmacists and increased their knowledge of modern pharmacy and skills.

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The la Societe franco-japonaise de pharmacie (SFJP) was established in 1972, mainly by international students who studied under Professor Couvovier of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Paris, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. SFJP has promoted exchanges between Japanese and French pharmaceutical researchers and pharmacists, contributing to the advancement and development of science and culture between the two countries. The driving force for this was French pharmaceutical education and research, as well as lectures and discussions on the pharmacist profession. Based on the key words in the lecture titles, the 50 years of activities of the society can be roughly divided into three periods: 1) From 1972, SFJP introduced French pharmacy and hospital pharmacists and drug quality control, and made efforts to improve the pharmacy and medical situation in Japan. 2) From 1999, discussions were held on biopharmaceutical products and clinical application issues, the ideal state of the global pharmaceutical industry, and the establishment of a six-year pharmacy education system with references to the French education system. 3) From 2013, exchanges between Japanese and French researchers became active, and there were lectures and discussions on pharmaceutical research, education, new functions of pharmacists, hospital pharmacist activities.

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