The previous three seminars focused on end of life (EOL) care in terms of time, space and other perspectives on life and death. In addition, palliative care specialists, home care doctors, and academia provided information on how to meet the diverse needs of local communities and cities. 

Session Four: Sustainable End of Life Care – Health Economics and Education
The fourth seminar featured Dr. Rintaro  Mori, Director of the National Center for Child Health and Development and a pediatrician who specializes in the assessment of medical technology, and Dr. Masako Akiyama, Director of Hakuju-ji Home Visit Nursing Station, Director of Kurashino Hokenshitsu  and an inter-professional collaborator of home care. Dr. Mori discussed the practicality and limitations of medical technology assessments and provided an overview of how medical technology assessments are used to shape health policy in other countries. He also discussed how the assessment can be utilized in Japan with regards to EOL care. Dr. Akiyama provided examples of how home care is used in EOL care and discussed the need for increased awareness and education amongst families, medical practitioners, and various care-providers so people can be better supported to pass away with dignity.