Craif Launches My Signal with Japan's First Municipal Public Subsidy Introduction
Craif Inc., in collaboration with Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture, will launch "My Signal," a urine-based cancer screening test with municipal public subsidy, starting April 2026. This is Japan's first such initiative, leveraging bio-AI technology to enable early cancer detection in regions facing medical access challenges, with the goal of nationwide expansion.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 19:37
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 06:33 (442h 55m after Collected)
Craif Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director CEO: Ryuichi Onose; hereinafter "Craif") will collaborate with Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture (Mayor: Takashi Kado), to launch the nationwide first introduction of the urine-based cancer screening test "My Signal" with municipal public subsidy, starting April 2026. My Signal is a test that evaluates the risk of 10 types of cancer from Stage 1 using bio-AI technology. Through this project, Craif aims to build a social model that realizes early cancer detection even in regions with challenges in medical access, and to expand this initiative nationwide.
## ■ Background of the Initiative
In Japan, one in two people are affected by cancer, and the cancer screening rate remains low at approximately 40%, which is internationally substandard. Particularly in rural areas with limited access to medical institutions, the environment makes it difficult to undergo screenings, further pushing down the participation rate. In Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture, the difficulty of accessing medical institutions and the busyness of daily life often lead to delays in undergoing screenings, resulting in cancer screening rates below the national average (*1). Preventing severe progression and increasing medical costs due to late detection has become an urgent issue.
Craif aims to realize a society where every resident can live a long and healthy life through early cancer detection and treatment, and is undertaking this project with Misato Town. My Signal, which can be taken by simply collecting urine, allows even those who have difficulty accessing medical institutions or are busy in their daily lives to easily check their cancer risk. As a direct solution to these regional challenges, Craif is collaborating with Misato Town to achieve the nationwide first introduction of My Signal with municipal public subsidy.
*1. The average participation rate for organized screenings is approximately 26% (Misato Town cancer screening results for 2024).
## ■ Overview of My Signal Public Subsidy Introduction Project
Targeting residents of Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture, aged 40-74, 100 individuals will be selected by lottery from those who undergo specific health checkups (including comprehensive medical examinations and workplace health checkups) in fiscal year Reiwa 8 (2026) to receive the My Signal test. The test can be easily taken at two clinics within the town, and those whose test results indicate a high risk will receive consistent support up to additional examinations at specialized medical institutions.
Target Audience
Residents of Misato Town aged 40-74 who will undergo specific health checkups (including comprehensive medical examinations and workplace health checkups) in fiscal year 2026.
Cost
Public subsidy: approx. 50,000 yen / Out-of-pocket: 15,000 yen (for Misato Town National Health Insurance members), 20,000 yen (for others).
Capacity
Keywords: cancer, testing, RNA, urine, AI, startup, deep tech, early detection, Misato Town
## ■ Background of the Initiative
In Japan, one in two people are affected by cancer, and the cancer screening rate remains low at approximately 40%, which is internationally substandard. Particularly in rural areas with limited access to medical institutions, the environment makes it difficult to undergo screenings, further pushing down the participation rate. In Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture, the difficulty of accessing medical institutions and the busyness of daily life often lead to delays in undergoing screenings, resulting in cancer screening rates below the national average (*1). Preventing severe progression and increasing medical costs due to late detection has become an urgent issue.
Craif aims to realize a society where every resident can live a long and healthy life through early cancer detection and treatment, and is undertaking this project with Misato Town. My Signal, which can be taken by simply collecting urine, allows even those who have difficulty accessing medical institutions or are busy in their daily lives to easily check their cancer risk. As a direct solution to these regional challenges, Craif is collaborating with Misato Town to achieve the nationwide first introduction of My Signal with municipal public subsidy.
*1. The average participation rate for organized screenings is approximately 26% (Misato Town cancer screening results for 2024).
## ■ Overview of My Signal Public Subsidy Introduction Project
Targeting residents of Misato Town, Shimane Prefecture, aged 40-74, 100 individuals will be selected by lottery from those who undergo specific health checkups (including comprehensive medical examinations and workplace health checkups) in fiscal year Reiwa 8 (2026) to receive the My Signal test. The test can be easily taken at two clinics within the town, and those whose test results indicate a high risk will receive consistent support up to additional examinations at specialized medical institutions.
Target Audience
Residents of Misato Town aged 40-74 who will undergo specific health checkups (including comprehensive medical examinations and workplace health checkups) in fiscal year 2026.
Cost
Public subsidy: approx. 50,000 yen / Out-of-pocket: 15,000 yen (for Misato Town National Health Insurance members), 20,000 yen (for others).
Capacity
Keywords: cancer, testing, RNA, urine, AI, startup, deep tech, early detection, Misato Town