The United States-Japan Cooperative Medical Science Program was initiated in 1965 by joint agreement between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Japan. The purpose of the Program was to promote cooperative biomedical research between the two countries, especially on health problems of recognized impor- tance in Asia. Cholera was designated as one topic of mutual interest. Panels of scientists from each country were formed, and these met to select priority areas for research. The Cholera Panels initially defined two major goals: 1) improved and simplified therapy for...