Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund was established in 1968. The mother of Princess Takamatsu died of cancer in 1933, so the Princess founded "Nadeshikokai", a fore-runner of the fund, with her classmates in 1953.

The objective of the fund is to contribute to the progress of science and the welfare of mankind through the support of cancer research. Core areas of support are the Takamatsu Prize for outstanding fundamental and clinical research on cancer, research, grants, annual international symposium, travel grants, lectures and the Waro Nakahara Memorial Lecture Prize.

The foundation contributes to the promotion mankind and science in Japan via the encouragement it gives scientists to research with purpose, to research in order to control the spread of cancer.

Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund became UICC full member in 1968.