After completing the Nursing Degree Program at the Hokkaido University School of Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences and earning her nursing license, Ms. Honoka Hiraka enrolled in the Public Health Course at the Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine and later obtained a Master of Medical Science degree from that same university. She began her career as a volunteer Public Health Officer for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), where served in the Republic of Zambia in Africa. After returning to Japan, she joined a hospital where she served as a nurse. Ms. Hiraka joined Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) after developing a strong interest in health systems and health policy through her experiences in clinical and real-world healthcare settings in Japan and overseas. At HGPI, she is currently responsible for projects related to global health, dementia, and support for patients and others with lived experience of health concerns.