Bipartisan Congressional Briefing “Ageing and Healthcare Reform in the Netherlands”
date : 1/17/2012
On the 17th January 2012, the Health and Global Policy Institute, Mr. Seishiro Eto, Deputy Speaker of the Japanese House Representatives and chairman of the Japan-Netherland Parliamentary Friendship League, and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Japan joint hosted a “Bipartisan Congressional Briefing” in the International Meeting Room of the House Representatives.
For this briefing we welcomed Dr. Reiner J. Koppelaar, Counselor for Health, Welfare and Sports at the Netherlands Embassy, to speak on the theme of “Ageing and Healthcare Reform in the Netherlands”, providing an introduction to Dutch social security reforms (including those in the healthcare field) and nursing and medical care systems for the elderly. On the day political allegiances were transcended and we were honored to receive the attendance of a number of Diet Members who are knowledgeable in the government administration of health and welfare issues, as well as various individuals representing the media.
The Netherlands has long been engaged in the process of healthcare reform, and in 2006 the concept of “regulated competition” in the form of fixed private sector participation and state regulation was introduced through reforms in the health insurance laws. The increased concern of insured individuals as to the price and quality of medical care led to proactive policies for developing systems for improving the administration of medical providers and strengthening local community ties in tackling the problems of an aging society. Through strengthening the function of insurers, unnecessary medical expenses have also been reduced. We were very pleased to welcome Dr. Koppelaar to discuss these varying measures.
The discussion was very relevant to Japan as it continues to carry out countermeasures to deal with the ongoing and rapid development of an ageing society with a low birthrate and associated increasing medical and social security costs. In addition to the introduction of various case examples, there was also a lively exchange of opinions on the importance of reform and on the format of Japan’s social insurance system.
The Health and Global Policy Institute has up until now established platforms for such discussions between Diet Members and distinguished intellectuals. In the future we would like to continue with these kinds of activities, with the aim of concretely attaining more responsible policies and contributing to the building of a highly transparent process.
For this briefing we welcomed Dr. Reiner J. Koppelaar, Counselor for Health, Welfare and Sports at the Netherlands Embassy, to speak on the theme of “Ageing and Healthcare Reform in the Netherlands”, providing an introduction to Dutch social security reforms (including those in the healthcare field) and nursing and medical care systems for the elderly. On the day political allegiances were transcended and we were honored to receive the attendance of a number of Diet Members who are knowledgeable in the government administration of health and welfare issues, as well as various individuals representing the media.
The Netherlands has long been engaged in the process of healthcare reform, and in 2006 the concept of “regulated competition” in the form of fixed private sector participation and state regulation was introduced through reforms in the health insurance laws. The increased concern of insured individuals as to the price and quality of medical care led to proactive policies for developing systems for improving the administration of medical providers and strengthening local community ties in tackling the problems of an aging society. Through strengthening the function of insurers, unnecessary medical expenses have also been reduced. We were very pleased to welcome Dr. Koppelaar to discuss these varying measures.
The discussion was very relevant to Japan as it continues to carry out countermeasures to deal with the ongoing and rapid development of an ageing society with a low birthrate and associated increasing medical and social security costs. In addition to the introduction of various case examples, there was also a lively exchange of opinions on the importance of reform and on the format of Japan’s social insurance system.
The Health and Global Policy Institute has up until now established platforms for such discussions between Diet Members and distinguished intellectuals. In the future we would like to continue with these kinds of activities, with the aim of concretely attaining more responsible policies and contributing to the building of a highly transparent process.
Exhibition date：2012-01-17
Top Research & Recommendations Posts
- [Research Report] Perceptions, Knowledge, Actions and Perspectives of Healthcare Organizations in Japan in Relation to Climate Change and Health: A Cross-Sectional Study (November 13, 2025)
- [Research Report] Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction in Healthcare Facilities: Case Studies from New Construction and Facility Renewal (March 16, 2026)
- [Public Comment Submission] “The 7th Science, Technology and Innovation Basic Plan” (Draft) (February 19, 2026)
- [Research Report] The 2025 Public Opinion Survey on Healthcare in Japan (March 17, 2025)
- [Research Report] The 2026 Public Opinion Survey on Healthcare in Japan (February 13, 2026)
- [Publication Report] Future of the Healthcare System Project “Policy roadmaps for acting early on NCDs” (March, 2026)
- [Policy Recommendations] Dementia Project “The Future of Dementia Policy Surrounding Families and Others Who Care for People with Dementia” (April 27, 2026)
- [Policy Recommendations] Mental Health Project: Recommendations on Three Issues in the Area of Mental Health (July 4, 2025)
- [Policy Recommendations] Developing a National Health and Climate Strategy for Japan (June 26, 2024)
- [Research Report] Building a Mental Health Program for Children and Measuring its Effectiveness (June 16, 2022）
Featured Posts
-
2026-05-13
[Registration Open] HGPI Salon 2025-2026 Looking Ahead to the Future of Japan’s Social Security System “Session 5: The Value of Healthcare in Society – Perspectives from the Reiwa Era” (June 29, 2026)
![[Registration Open] HGPI Salon 2025-2026 Looking Ahead to the Future of Japan’s Social Security System “Session 5: The Value of Healthcare in Society – Perspectives from the Reiwa Era” (June 29, 2026)](https://hgpi.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/5thHGPISalon_20260629.png)
-
2026-05-15
[Registration Open] The 2nd J-PEP Seminar – A New Framework for Providing Information on Clinical Trial Participant Recruitment – Legal Points to Consider from the Perspective of Meaningful Involvement (June 15, 2026)
![[Registration Open] The 2nd J-PEP Seminar – A New Framework for Providing Information on Clinical Trial Participant Recruitment – Legal Points to Consider from the Perspective of Meaningful Involvement (June 15, 2026)](https://hgpi.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/HGPI_20260615_The2nd-J-PEPseminar.jpg)
-
2026-05-18
[Registration Open] Kick-off Panel Discussion “From Japan and Africa, in Discussion with the World: Cultivating Together a Philosophical Dialogue on Health” (June 15, 2026)
![[Registration Open] Kick-off Panel Discussion “From Japan and Africa, in Discussion with the World: Cultivating Together a Philosophical Dialogue on Health” (June 15, 2026)](https://hgpi.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/HGPI_hp-20260615-top-1.png)
