The foundation's history dates back to 1997, when UN resolutions 52/169 M of 16 December 1997, 53/1 H of 16 November 1998, 55/44 of 27 November 2000, 57/101 of 25 November 2002 and 60/216 were adopted of December 22, 2005 (resolution on international cooperation and coordination of activities for the rehabilitation of the population, restoration of the environment and economic development of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site)
After these resolutions, a group of Japanese scientists was formed, including members of the expert team of our foundation: Shunichi Yamashita, Masahiro Nakashima, Ichiro Sekine, Alipov Gabit, Noboru Takamura.
An additional impetus was given by the Tokyo International Conference on September 6-7, 1999.
Reflecting international interest, a total of more than 200 persons representing about 80 organisations participated in the conference, representing 24 governments, 12 multilateral organisations, including the co-sponsors as well as the World Bank, UNESCO, WHO, FAO, EBRD, EU, OSCE and NATO. Six international NGOs and 38 Japanese organisations, institutions and agencies also participated. There was particularly strong interest demonstrated by the involvement of community and professional leaders from Nagasaki, Hiroshima and Semipalatinsk. The conference also attracted the interest of the international media which has already raised awareness about Semipalatinsk and the Tokyo Conference. The Tokyo Conference was one of the principle follow-up actions after a special Report was submitted by the Secretary-General to the UN General Assembly (UNGA), in November 1998.