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Control of pandemics requires strong leadership not only by central government but also in local fields, where people actually fight against it. Miyagi Pandemic Influenza Study Group was organized in Sendai area, Japan, in February 2001, and an attempt to study preparation against pandemic influenza was started. Its members are from local governments and hospitals including administrative officers, physicians and laboratory workers, and other functions including manufacturer of an antiviral, army headquarter, academia and local press, although all are volunteer participants. Its main goal is to prepare against coming large-scale epidemic of influenza as concretely as possible in our own local communities. A group meeting has been held every month or two for lectures, presentation and discussion. Documents and other materials were collected and stocked to supply anyone who wants them as references to learn about past pandemics and the present planning. In addition, materials written in English have been translated into Japanese by the members to make them easily accessible for ordinary Japanese people. Discussion in the meetings includes the priority for vaccination or antiviral drugs among staffs of hospitals and communities, several desktop simulations and ways of local governments to manage health and social crises. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]