 The NIRS maintains various ion accelerators in order to study the effects of radiation of the human body and medical uses of radiation.The National Institute of Radiological Sciences hospital established in 1961 is a research hospital with a basic focus on radiation therapy.In 1993 the HIMAC (Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba) of NIRS was launched, and in 1997 the Research Center for Charged Particle Therapy was opened as one of the leading medical centers using carbon ions are in operation.