Every three years, we perform an institutional assessment that consists of checking whether the overall operation of the National Institute for Minamata Disease, including our operation policy, organizational structure, survey and research activities and research support structure, as well as business activities and other undertakings, is appropriate and is effective in light of our mandated duty - "to perform comprehensive surveys and research, and to collect, organize and supply information sourced in and outside of Japan, in relation to Minamata disease" - and clarifying what aspects should be improved, with the aim of thereby contributing to a more effective operation by driving institutional improvements as an organization and by facilitating efforts to make our research operations more active and efficient.