*A report on the Symposium has been published on July 4, 2025.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a critical health issue in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. With aging populations and changing lifestyles, the prevalence and impact of CVD are expected to rise. While healthcare structure, resources, services and financial conditions differ between countries, innovative approaches are being implemented to address this shared challenge.

In Japan, the Basic Act on Stroke, Heart Disease, and Other CVDs to Extend Healthy Life Expectancies (Basic Act on CVD Measures) was enacted in 2019. This led to the creation of the Japanese National Plan for CVD Control. The second phase of these plans commenced in April 2024. Despite these advances, significant challenges remain, including effective implementation despite constrained resources, ensuring equity, and advancing prevention and adequate chronic care strategies.

Collaboration and knowledge-sharing with countries in the Asia-Pacific region are vital in addressing these challenges. Nations in the region, each with their unique healthcare systems and social contexts, offer valuable insight and lessons. This symposium featured experts from Australia and Korea—both with national CVD control plans—to discuss their approaches and explore suitable and implementable solutions for Japan.

[Event Overview]

• Date & Time: Thursday, March 13 ,2025; 14:00-16:00 JST
• Format: Online (Zoom Webinars)
• Language: Japanese and English, with simultaneous interpretation
• Host: Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI)
• Co-host: ACCESS Health International, Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance

[Program] (Titles omitted, no particular order)

14:00-14:10	Opening Remarks
	Krishna Reddy (CEO, ACCESS Health International)
14:10-14:20	Explanatory Introduction
	Yukiko Kawata (Senior Associate, HGPI)
14:20-14:45	Keynote Lecture “Progress and Prospects for CVD Control in Japan”
	Koji Maemura (Professor, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University)
14:45-15:15	Relay Talk “Case Studies of Cardiovascular Disease Control Policies in Asia-Pacific Region”
	Christian Verdicchio (CEO, Heart Support Australia) Hyeon Chang Kim (Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Integrative Research Center for Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
15:15-15:55	Discussion “Exploring Future Strategies for CVD Control in the Asia-Pacific Region”
	Christian Verdicchio (CEO, Heart Support Australia) Hyeon Chang Kim (Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Integrative Research Center for Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine) Koji Maemura (Professor, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University) Moderator: Ryoji Noritake (Chair, HGPI)
15:55- 16:00	Closing Remarks
	Norihisa Tamura (Member, House of Representatives / Chairperson, Parliamentary Association for Follow-up on Stroke and Cardiovascular Disease Control Measures)