Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) hosted delegates from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) as part of the CII healthcare and medical technology leadership delegation to Japan from the 23rd to 27th June 2025. This meeting was organized as a means for the four organizations to learn from each other and to identify potential opportunities for future collaboration.
The CII delegates consisted of CEOs, directors, professors, medical doctors and entrepreneurs with a keen interest to learn from Japan regarding healthy ageing and the implementation of novel technology in healthcare service delivery. They presented the current reality of ageing in India and the challenges that their population is facing with the hope of learning from the Japanese approach to healthy ageing. Some of the challenges that they are faced with include the lack of healthcare policies related to ageing, the lack of infrastructure, security and accessible facilities, lack of support for senior care and unskilled caregivers. Their aim is to create a longevity stack for the ageing population and a common platform that is accessible; this platform will focus on building digital literacy and creating awareness around healthcare for the ageing population.

To address the challenges to healthy ageing in India, the CII aims to employ technology to digitalize their healthcare system to develop its infrastructure in digital health to provide quality healthcare and especially accessible healthcare to patients who would not normally have access. Seeing as Japan is known for its advanced technology, the CII hopes to learn how best to implement technology in healthcare to provide accessible healthcare to the Indian population.

A delegate from the JCIE briefly presented an overview of their work, which includes global health and human security, providing and encouraging healthcare equity and access for all, and addressing the challenges of an ageing population by investigating best practices, as well as building a platform to share knowledge regarding best practices.

Mr. Joji Sugawara, HGPI’s Vice-President simply presented HGPI and the projects relating to healthy ageing such as the dementia project. Mr. Sugawara mentioned that Japan’s strength lies in the fact that it has managed to keep healthcare stable and consistent, which has contributed to the healthy ageing of the Japanese population. However, this strength can also become an impediment when it comes to reforming the healthcare system through digitalization.

This introductory meeting was informative, insightful and provided the opportunity for cross-cultural and cross-sectoral knowledge partage. HGPI aims to continue to create opportunities for these kinds of multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder knowledge partage.

■ Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
ERIA is an international organization established in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2008 through a formal agreement amongst the leaders of 16 East Asian countries. Its main role is conducting research and policy analyses to facilitate the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) building and to support wider regional community building. Its activities encompass crucial areas such as trade and investment, energy security, climate change, environment, digital economy, innovation, entrepreneurship, food security, and healthcare.

■ Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
CII is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that has played a key role in India’s development for over 130 years. Industry-led and industry-managed, CII represents around 9,700 direct members from both the private and public sectors and indirectly represents over 365,000 enterprises through sectoral industry bodies. CII works closely with the government, civil society, and thought leaders to influence policy, promote competitiveness, and create business opportunities. It also serves as a platform for consensus-building and networking, helping to shape national development through consultative and advisory processes.

■ Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE)
JCIE, established in 1970, is a leading nonprofit and nonpartisan foreign affairs institute based in Tokyo. Working closely with its American counterpart, JCIE USA in New York, it seeks to strengthen Japan’s international relations, address global challenges, and foster a more inclusive society. JCIE organizes multisectoral policy dialogues, research initiatives, and legislative exchange programs, covering a broad range of topics including foreign relations, global health, human security, gender, diversity, and civil society.