Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) held the first advisory meeting in its “Future of the Healthcare System” series, entitled “Reimagining Public Engagement for Sustainable Health Systems.”

With rising medical costs driven by advances in medical technology and an increasing elderly population, achieving a balance between the appropriate evaluation of innovative pharmaceuticals and medical technologies and the sustainability of Japan’s universal health coverage has become an urgent issue both domestically and internationally. In light of these challenges, the meeting convened a diverse group of stakeholders including healthcare professionals, policymakers, industry representatives, and patient leaders to engage in broad discussions. Topics included appropriate cost-sharing mechanisms, insurance coverage for high-cost and innovative treatments, and the utilization of the system for Medical Expenses Combined with Treatment Outside Insurance Coverage as part of efforts to ensure a sustainable healthcare system.

Going forward, HGPI will continue this series through multiple sessions, engaging in international and cross-sectoral examination of actionable policy options and methods for building consensus with the public.

[Event Overview]

• Date & Time: Tuesday, September 9, 2025; 7:30-9:30 JST
• Format: In-person (No online streaming), Invitation-only
• Venue: Hotel New Otani Tokyo
• Language: Japanese

Meeting Participants (Titles omitted; in Japanese syllabary order)

Shinsuke Amano (Chair, The Japan Federation of Cancer Patient Groups/ CEO, Group Nexus Japan)
Nobuki Ando (Former Chairman, Japan Health Insurance Association/ Outside Director, Audit and Supervisory Committee Members, Towa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
Rei Goto (Professor, Graduate School of Business Administration, Keio University)
Masahiro Sano (Deputy president, National Federation of Health Insurance Societies (Kenporen))
Yasuhiro Suzuki (President, International University of Health and Welfare/ Former Chief Medical and Global Health Officer, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
Izumi Hamada (Member of the Board, Vice President, Market Access & External Affairs Division, Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd.)
Kenji Yasukawa (Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, Astellas Pharma Inc.) *
Koji Yano (Director, Institute of Social Security Policy, International University of Health and Welfare/ Former Vice-Minister of Finance)

*Representative attendee:
Osamu Fukushi (Head, Advocacy, Astellas Pharma Inc.)