figure a

Birth: May 25, 1961, Miyazaki, Japan

We are saddened to lose our colleague and friend, Yojiro Ota, while he was in Germany for the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) (ISOO) annual meeting and at the time of the twentieth wedding anniversary of his marriage to Miho who accompanied him.

Yojiro was the second son of Mutsu and Nobuo Ota. He graduated Hokkaido University, School of Dentistry in March 1986. He was a clinical fellow in Dentistry and Oral Surgery Division at the National Cancer Center Hospital and resident in Head and Neck Surgery Division at the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan in 1987.

Yojiro was a leader in Japan in the oral care of cancer patients with focus on patient quality of life. He was one of the first members of MASCC/ISOO from Japan and his influence has led to an increased presence and contribution of others from Japan.

He served as Director of the Division of Dentistry and Oral Surgery at the Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan since 2002. Prior to this he was the Head of the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Division of the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan from 2001 to 2002. He also served concurrently in the Division of Dentistry, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan since 1992. He was a part-time lecturer at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Tokyo, Hokkaido University Dental School in Hokkaido, and Nihon University School of Dentistry in Tokyo. During 15 years of dedicated service at the National Cancer Center, he worked to build a strong foundation of oral care for the cancer patients of Japan. After transferring to the Shizuoka Cancer Center, he worked avidly for 10 years to develop a state-of-the-art oral care for cancer patients throughout the nation.

At the Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, he directed a program with six dentists and residents. The program included dental and medical trainees. Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital has lead in the provision of oral care in oncology, supported by the president Dr. Yamaguchi and his support of the dental program lead by Dr. Ota. His collaborative studies with Sunstar Inc. led to product development to help those who suffer from side effects of cancer therapies. He promoted the international need for oral supportive care. When he passed away, he had begun work on a new campaign to promote stronger ties among regional medical and dental caregivers in Japan.

The president of Japan Dental Association offered his condolences and said that Dr. Ota was a pioneer in Japan promoting collaboration between medicine and dentistry for cancer patients. His contributions as a member of the steering committee on collaboration with the National Cancer Center and a member of the preparatory committee to establish the national council to promoting collaboration between medicine and dentistry for cancer patients was recognized.

He was devoted to his job. He maintained a grueling schedule at his hospital while presenting lectures throughout Japan almost every week. He derived his stamina from his sturdy constitution, toughened on the rowing team in his university days. Dr. Ota was known for showing consideration toward all those around him, treating all as equals whether they were colleagues, employees, or staff. He was always kind and gentle with patients, earning their loyalty and trust, and he consistently trained students and co-workers to provide the same kind of steadfast, thorough care. His charisma shone in his instruction of residents who learned to provide team medical care and supportive care to cancer sufferers before graduating to become working professionals.

Dr. Ota served as a delegate at the Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine, Councilor, the Japanese Society of Oral Care and Councilor, Japanese Society of Dentistry for the Medically Compromised Patient since 2008. Dr Ota received a number of grants serving as co-investigator and principle investigator. These include government funding from the National Cancer Center Research and Development Fund and the Ministry of Health from 2003 to 2012 serving as principle investigator and co-investigator in a number of grants.

Dr. Ota is survived by his beloved family: his wife Miho and three daughters, Chihiro, Sayuri, and Hikaru. He was eagerly looking forward to watching his cherished daughters grow up.

Dr. Ota dedicated his life to his family and to improving the lives of those afflicted with cancer. Today, his many former pupils are working throughout Japan to carry on his legacy.

Yojiro's dream was to have all cancer patients receive oral care prior to and after the cancer treatment. This dream is being facilitated in Japan by policy change. In April 2012, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan provided national health insurance coverage for the oral care of cancer patients, thereby setting an international standard. Yojiro was a leader in this process and gave more than 100 lectures in the last year to meet the request from both dentists and doctors. He led in collaborative efforts to enhance integration of oral and dental care in oncology in Japan.

He increased the interest in oral supportive care in Japan and encouraged participation of others in the international society. The need for this work and leadership in Japan and internationally continues. Yojiro's friends and colleagues are honored to have known him. Our sincerest condolences go to his family. His presence will be missed in Japan and around the world.