On February 27, 2026, the Asia Pacific Cardiovascular Roundtable, hosted by Global Heart Hub, an international alliance of patient organizations, was held in Bangkok, Thailand. Mr. Shotaro Tsukamoto, Senior Associate at Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), took part in the meeting.

The roundtable brought together patient leaders, healthcare professionals, and government officials from six countries, namely Japan, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, to discuss cardiovascular disease challenges and policy responses in each country, priorities for region-wide collaboration, and the key elements necessary for patient organizations to advance advocacy efforts in their respective countries.

HGPI will continue its efforts to promote and encourage patient and public involvement in health policymaking processes, not only in the field of cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases, but across all areas of health policy.

Japanese Participants (in no particular order, titles omitted)

Toshimi Ikegame (Vice Director and Chief Nursing Officer, Sakakibara Heart Institute)
Issei Komuro (Representative Director, Japanese Circulation Association)
Takeshi Shukunobe (Representative Director, PPeCC)
Shotaro Tsukamoto (Senior Associate, Health and Global Policy Institute)
Hitoshi Fukuhara (Representative Director, Heart Valve Voice)
Kyohei Marume (Representative Director, Doctock, Inc.)