The story of birth of Japan Heart Foundation goes back to 1964 when the Asia Pacific Congress of Cardiology was held in Kyoto.

Dr. Paul D. White, President of the International Cardiology Foundation (ICF),strongly emphasized the importance of Japan to join the movement to bring the Cardiovascular Diseases under control.

He stressed that the Cardiovascular Diseases are the common enemy of man-kind, and persuaded business people and medical doctors to establish a foundation in Japan for the cause.

In 1970, the Japanese Medical Society pointed out the fact that Cerebrovascular and Cardiac Diseases were now attacking more and more the level of age who are most active as central work force at the all phases of our society.

The business leaders of Japan concurrently became aware of the message of Dr.White that to control and diminish the menace is a great mission for them to be carried with medical doctors.

A promoting committee was formed to organize a foundation for this purpose, and the committee gathered one hundred twenty-nine business leaders and sixty-six leading Cardiologists of Japan, and decided to create Japan Heart Foundation.

The newly formed Foundation was officially approved by the Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare as Grant-making foundation with tax-exempt status in May, 1970, Mr. Kiichiro Sato of Mitsui Bank was elected as Chairman of the Board, and Dr. Yoshio Mikamo and Dr. Kyozo Yuasa were Vice Chairman.

Mr.Giichi Kusano, of Nippon Light Metal was appointed as President, and all together 24 lay and medical leaders became members of the board.

In 1978, the Eighth World Congress of Cardiology was held in Tokyo, Japan, and Dr. Yoshio Mikamo, one of the Vice Chairmen of Japan Heart Foundation served for the Congress as its President. It was the time when the International Society of Cardiology and the International Cardiology Foundation were united into one body to create a new world organization named International Society and Federation of Cardiology. The name of the organization was changed to "World Heart Federation" (WHF) at the Sixth General Assembly held in Brazil on April,1998.

Since then, thirty-two years passed, and people of Japan gradually became aware of the facts that the Cardiovascular Diseases are the number one Killer of Mankind, and that, the prevention of the diseases must be carried on by their own responsibility.

In general, Japan Heart Foundation works as a grant making foundation, specialized in the area of Cardiology, mainly for young investigators, with sufficient support by business companies and industrial firms.

Needless to say, Japan Heart Foundation plays important role as provider of educational materials on prevention of the Cardiovascular Diseases for general public through posters, pamphlets, lectures and other activities.

As one of the charter members of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology, Japan Heart Foundation emphasizes that the combat against the Cardiovascular Diseases is not only a national task, but a task of man-kind on the earth. To testify the view and the position, Japan Heart Foundation actively participates the activities of Asia Pacific Network of Heart Foundations, which is a self-help network of Heart Foundations in the Asia Pacific Region, and consisted of fourteen foundations and associations in fourteen countries and areas.

Today, Japan Heart Foundation is led by Mr. Takuji Shidachi, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Co., Chairman, Dr. Tsuneaki Sugimoto Kanto Central Hospital, Vice Chairman.