Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) is a non-profit, independent, non-partisan think tank established in 2004 that views dementia as a global-level health policy issue and that has worked continuously to advance dementia policy around the world. Under its stated mission of “promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration for dementia policy,” the HGPI Dementia Policy Project aims to deepen relationships with diverse stakeholders while conducting surveys and research and offering policy recommendations. These activities are based on three pillars: (1) building a global platform; (2) emphasizing the perspectives of those most affected; and (3) identifying and disseminating policy issues.

It goes without saying that the roles of parties like the government, civil society, and healthcare and long-term care professionals will be vital for achieving a dementia-inclusive society, but we must not overlook the roles of companies, which supply society with various products and services and that enable people to maintain their livelihoods in their essential role as employers. Perspective 3 of HGPI’s April 2024 policy recommendations titled, “Three Necessary Perspectives for Formulating the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Policies on Dementia: Creating a Society That is Inclusive for All People at All Times” reads, “Establish employment and support systems that enable people living with dementia and family caregivers to stay in the workforce.” The recommendations highlighted that historically, the role of companies in dementia policy has primarily consisted of engaging in social contributions or CSR activities, such as providing dementia support or helping to make society barrier-free, or by serving as providers of products and services. Regarding the roles of companies in the future, our recommendations express anticipation for companies to proactively advance efforts to recognize dementia as an issue that affects them and to further enhance the employment environment and support.

The Basic Act on Dementia to Promote an Inclusive Society (or, the Basic Act on Dementia) came into effect on January 1, 2024 and designates September as “Dementia Month” and September 21 as “Dementia Day.” These correspond to World Alzheimer’s Month and World Alzheimer’s Day. We will be holding an HGPI Seminar to commemorate Dementia Month and World Alzheimer’s Month in 2024. At this seminar, our aim is to examine case studies from companies in various industries that are involved in dementia to ascertain where industry is today in the effort to create a dementia-inclusive society, and to consider what role industry should fulfill in the future.

[Event Overview]

• Date & Time: Thursday, September 19, 2024; from 15:00 to 17:00 JST
• Format: Online (Zoom webinar) (Not available for recording)
  *The presentation slides and edited recording will be shared with individual supporting members only at a later date.
• Language: Japanese
• Participation Fee: Free
• Capacity: 500 participants

[Program]

◼︎Profile

Mr. Nobuyuki Kii (General Manager and Principal, Research and Consulting Division, The Japan Research Institute, Limited)
Mr. Nobuyuki Kii graduated from the Kyoto University School of Economics in 1999 and joined The Japan Research Institute, Limited. While working, he later obtained an MBA from Kobe University. At The Japan Research Institute, Limited, Mr. Kii’s past duties have included business-to-consumer consulting in marketing and new business development. In his current role, which he assumed in April 2018, Mr. Kii’s duties involve public-private research and consulting in the field of services for elderly people and long-term care based on the concept of “Contributing to the creation of a super-aging society that is full of well-being by serving as a hub for industry, government, academia, long-term care settings, and policy.” Starting with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Orange Innovation Project, Mr. Kii contributes to advancing a variety of projects related to dementia for the national Government, local governments, and industry.

Mr. Takeyuki Murata (General Manager, Operations Division, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting Inc.)
Mr. Takeyuki Murata joined Nippon Cultural Broadcasting Inc. in 1998. After being involved in advertising operations as a member of the Sales Section, he transferred to the Program Section, where his duties mainly involved production on information and variety programs. Specials produced by Mr. Murata have won awards such as the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Award and the Japan Broadcast Culture Award. He later transferred to the Management Section, where he was involved in a broad variety of operations including management planning, strategic planning, campaigns, events, new projects, CSR, and alliances. In addition to serving as a producer for business-related programs, his current duties include planning and implementing various campaigns and company projects.