2026 will mark 20 years since the enactment of the Cancer Control Act in 2006 in Japan. Over the past two decades, Japan’s cancer control efforts have made significant progress in both institutional development and medical innovation. Key advances include the nationwide establishment of the designated cancer care hospital network, the legalization of cancer registration, and the inclusion of cancer genomic medicine in health insurance coverage. At the same time, there are many areas remaining where further efforts are expected in the next 20 years. These include increasing participation in cancer screening, addressing disparities in care between healthcare institutions and regions, addressing institutional challenges related to the cost burden of advanced medical treatments, and improving the health literacy in cancer care among citizens.

Among these challenges ahead, two major points require particular attention when considering cancer control for the next 20 years. The first issue concerns how to balance the advancement and centralization (specialization) of medical care with the dissemination and establishment of standard treatments in local communities. Under the guiding principle set out in the Fourth Basic Plan for Promotion of Cancer Control – that “anyone, no matter where they live, should be able to receive appropriate care”- translating both centralization and equitable access into practice will be a critical issue in future policy design. The second issue concerns the expansion of advanced medical care, including cancer genomic medicine, and the sustainability of Japan’s universal health insurance system. With gene panel testing now covered by insurance and the framework of the combined medical care system covering both insured and uninsured treatments being reviewed, it is essential to reach consensus on expanding access to high-cost advanced care and determining the scope of public insurance coverage. This requires in-depth discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, including patients, affected individuals, and citizens.

As preparations begin for the Fifth Basic Plan, based on the interim evaluation of the Fourth Plan, this milestone presents an opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far and to reexamine these structural challenges from the perspectives of patients and affected individuals, which should serve as the starting point for designing cancer control over the next 20 years. Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) conducted a nationwide survey of 10,000 patients, affected individuals, and citizens between January and February 2026, and identified a gap between institutional progress and citizens’ understanding and perceptions. The survey covered areas such as the healthcare delivery system, health insurance system, cancer genomic medicine, palliative care, and cancer screening (the survey report will be published at a later date). These findings once again underscore the importance of incorporating the voices of citizens and patients into policy discussions as we consider the future direction of cancer control.

In light of this, in this seminar we will welcome Dr. Fumihiko Wakao of the National Cancer Center Japan, who has been at the forefront of bringing cancer care to the public for more than 20 years, in areas such as cancer information provision, patient support, cancer education, and public awareness. Dr. Wakao has played a central role in the launch and operation of national cancer information services, as well as in the dissemination of cancer-related information and the advancement of cancer control measures. Drawing on his perspective as an advisor for this survey, he will reflect on and provide an overview of the trajectory of cancer control over the past 20 years, outline current policy challenges, and discuss how society, government, and the healthcare system should evolve in the years ahead.

This seminar aims to serve as a forum for dialogue among citizens, patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, fostering a shared understanding of key issues and collectively envisioning the next generation of cancer control – one that leaves no one behind.

[Event Overview]

• Speaker: Dr. Fumihiko Wakao (Deputy Director, Center for Cancer Control and Information Services Headquarters, National Cancer Center Japan)
• Date & Time: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 18:30-19:45 JST
• Format: Online (Zoom webinar)
• Language: Japanese
• Participation Fee: Free
• Capacity: 500 participants

■Profile:

Dr. Fumihiko Wakao (Deputy Director, Center for Cancer Control and Information Services Headquarters, National Cancer Center Japan)
In 1986, Dr. Fumihiko Wakao graduated from School of Medicine, Yokohama City University. His previous roles include Clinical Resident at Yokohama City University Hospital, Resident in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at the National Cancer Center Hospital, Physician and Medical Director at the National Cancer Center Hospital, and Director of the Center for Cancer Control and Information Services at National Cancer Center Japan. He assumed his current position in April 2023.
He also serves as a visiting researcher at the Department of Public Health at the University of Tokyo and as a part-time lecturer at the Graduate School of Medicine at Kyoto University.