Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Foundation

The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Foundation (公益財団法人野口英世記念会) is a Japanese public interest incorporated foundation established to commemorate and perpetuate the life and scientific legacy of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, the world-renowned physician-scientist who died of yellow fever in the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) on May 21, 1928, while researching the disease. The foundation was conceived on June 29, 1928, immediately after a memorial service held at the Nihon Kogyo Club in Marunouchi, Tokyo, when attendees resolved to create an organization that would transmit Noguchi's achievements and life to future generations. Its founding proponents included prominent figures such as Kitasato Shibasaburo, Yamakawa Kenjiro, Araki Torasaburo, and Goto Shinpei. The foundation's core mission is carried out through the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum (野口英世記念館), which opened in 1939 in Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture — Noguchi's birthplace — displaying artifacts and materials donated by the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research and by Noguchi's widow, Mary. The museum was recognized as Fukushima Prefecture's first registered museum in 1954. The foundation also maintains and opens Noguchi's birthplace, registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2019. Beyond museum operations, the foundation administers several programs: the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Medical Prize (established 1957), the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Scholarship (begun 1959), and the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Youth Science Award (established 1995). It also conducts outreach, including traveling classes for elementary schools mainly in Fukushima and neighboring regions. In 2013 the foundation transitioned to public interest incorporated foundation status and relocated its headquarters from Shinjuku, Tokyo, to Inawashiro. In 2022 it opened the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Infectious Disease Museum. The foundation remains active in preserving Noguchi's legacy and contributing to science education and public health.

The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Foundation traces its origins to June 29, 1928, when a memorial service for Dr. Hideyo Noguchi was held at the Nihon Kogyo Club in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Noguchi had died on May 21, 1928, in the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) after contracting yellow fever, which he had been researching. After the service, attendees decided to establish the "Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Foundation" (then "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Foundation") to convey the achievements and life of the scientist to future generations. The proponents included Kitasato Shibasaburo (then president of the Japan Medical Association), Yamakawa Kenjiro (former president of Tokyo Imperial University, from Aizu), Araki Torasaburo (then president of Kyoto Imperial University), and Goto Shinpei (former foreign, home, and communications minister, former mayor of Tokyo, from Fukushima Prefecture's Suka Medical School). The foundation decided to preserve Noguchi's birthplace, erect monuments, and establish a memorial museum. It began fundraising with its headquarters in Shinjuku, Tokyo. In 1929, many of Noguchi's personal effects arrived from America, and a "Monument of Perseverance and Birthplace Monument" was erected in front of his birthplace on September 29. More artifacts arrived in 1930. On August 23, 1938, the foundation received authorization as an incorporated foundation from the Minister of Education. Construction began on reinforcing the birthplace and building the museum. On May 21, 1939 — the anniversary of Noguchi's death — the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum opened in Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture, displaying materials and artifacts donated by Mary Noguchi, the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, and others. In 1954, it was recognized as Fukushima Prefecture's first registered museum. The foundation expanded its activities. In 1957, it established the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Medical Prize to contribute to the development of medical research, holding its first award ceremony on November 15. In 1958, it created the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Scholarship program for human resource development, with the first loans beginning in April 1959. In 1961, it started the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Recognition Project to support children and students in Inawashiro. The museum was expanded with a two-story exhibition building in 1978, and a full renovation took place in 2015. In 1962, a memorial essay contest for youth began. In 1963, the museum was expanded. In 1966, the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Hall was completed in Shinjuku, Tokyo. In 1976, events were held in various places to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Noguchi's birth. In 1981, the birthplace was dismantled and repaired, and a protective structure was completed. In 1988, the foundation marked its 50th anniversary; in 1989, the museum marked its 50th anniversary. In 1995, the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Youth Science Award was established. In 1997, the government of Ghana awarded a medal to Dr. Noguchi. In 2004, the new 1,000-yen banknote was issued featuring Dr. Noguchi's portrait. In 2006, the Hideyo Noguchi Shiseikan was completed. In 2009, Noguchi's laboratory and a robot replica were installed at the museum. In 2011, the foundation's headquarters office was moved to Inawashiro, Fukushima. On April 1, 2013, the foundation transitioned to a public interest incorporated foundation and closed its Tokyo headquarters. On April 1, 2015, the museum's new exhibition room renovation was completed. On July 2, 2022, the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Infectious Disease Museum opened. The foundation continues to operate the museum, preserve the birthplace (registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2019), award the medical prize, provide scholarships, and conduct educational outreach, including traveling classes for elementary schools.

• Dr. Hideyo Noguchi dies of yellow fever in the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana).

• After a memorial service at the Nihon Kogyo Club in Tokyo, the establishment of the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Foundation is decided.

• The Monument of Perseverance and Birthplace Monument are erected in front of Noguchi's birthplace.

• The foundation receives authorization as an incorporated foundation from the Minister of Education.

• The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum opens in Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture.

• The museum is recognized as Fukushima Prefecture's first registered museum.

• The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Medical Prize is established; the first award ceremony is held.

• The first Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Scholarship loans begin.

• The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Recognition Project for children and students in Inawashiro begins.

• The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Essay Contest for youth begins.

• The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum expansion is completed.

• The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Hall is completed in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

• Events are held in various places to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Noguchi's birth.

• The new building of the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum is completed.

• The birthplace is dismantled and repaired; a protective structure is completed.

• The 50th anniversary of the foundation's establishment.

• The 50th anniversary of the museum's opening.

• The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Youth Science Award is established.

• The government of Ghana awards a medal to Dr. Noguchi.

• The new 1,000-yen banknote is issued featuring Dr. Noguchi's portrait.

• The Hideyo Noguchi Shiseikan is completed.

• Noguchi's laboratory and a robot replica are installed at the museum.

• The foundation's headquarters office is moved to Inawashiro, Fukushima.

• The foundation transitions to a public interest incorporated foundation and closes its Tokyo headquarters.

A public interest foundation dedicated to preserving and promoting the life and scientific achievements of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, contributing to science education, public health, and regional development.

• Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum

  Museum in Inawashiro, Fukushima, displaying artifacts and materials related to Dr. Hideyo Noguchi.

• Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Infectious Disease Museum

  Museum opened in 2022 dedicated to infectious diseases.

• Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Medical Prize

  Prize established in 1957 to contribute to the development of medical research.

• Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Scholarship

  Scholarship program established in 1958 for human resource development.

• Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Youth Science Award

  Award established in 1995 for youth.

1. 1野口英世記念会とは ｜ 公益財団法人 野口英世記念館noguchihideyo.or.jp
2. 2記念会の成り立ち ｜ 公益財団法人 野口英世記念館noguchihideyo.or.jp
3. 3野口英世記念館について ｜ 公益財団法人 野口英世記念会noguchihideyo.or.jp
4. 4アクセス ｜ 公益財団法人 野口英世記念会noguchihideyo.or.jp
5. 5Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Foundation - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6野口英世記念会 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org