Welcome to the international website of WJOG!
We are constantly exploring new research opportunities.

Message from the Chairman

The West Japan Oncology Group (WJOG; the Group) was established in 2000 to conduct clinical studies on lung cancer. Since then, WJOG has added a gastrointestinal cancer group in 2007 and a breast cancer group in 2009. In 2021, the Group established a basket group to conduct clinical studies based on cross-organ biomarkers. Under the leadership of the individual group head, each group actively drafts and implements clinical studies. As of January 2026, WJOG has grown to become one of Japan's largest clinical study groups conducting 41 clinical studies with the participation of 389 facilities in Japan. Its findings have been published in prominent journals and shared with international academic societies. In recent years, the scope of the WJOG activities has broadened to include the collection of real-world data on cancer, the training of young researchers, and active cooperation with cancer patients through patient and public involvement (PPI) and other initiatives, in addition to clinical studies.

Specifically, the WJOG collects prospective real-world data on thousands of lung cancer patients, which the Group plans to make available for flexible use through activities that include joint research with corporate and other partners. With regard to cooperation with patient organizations, WJOG has been a member of the Global Lung Cancer Coalition for many years and is conducting clinical research proposed by a patient organization on the subject of EGFR-mutant lung cancer (Takeda M, et al: Lung Cancer 2023 and 2024). The three groups on lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and breast cancer have established the WING, FLAG, and BLIGHT groups of young researchers, each with dozens of members, which are actively proposing clinical studies. The FLAG group also meets with the German clinical testing group AIO.

While the WJOG successively publishes the results of clinical studies through academic societies, English-language papers, and other means, most of its other activities are not widely known outside of Japan. Traditionally, research on cancer examinations and treatment consisted mainly of global joint research because of the considerable resources required. The WJOG has decided to open an English-language website to more actively promote global collaboration to let people around the world become more aware of its activities.

The WJOG appreciates your continued support.

Chairman, WJOG Nobuyuki Yamamoto