On September 25, 2024, an article titled “Pay Attention to Climate Change and Health Impacts” by Mr. Joji Sugawara, Vice President of Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), was published in The Nikkei’s Personal Opinion and Insight column.

In this article, Sugawara summarizes several key points regarding the impact of climate change on health:

1. Manifestation of Health Impacts
   Climate change has traditionally been viewed solely as an environmental issue; however, its effects on health have become increasingly significant and cannot be ignored. During the 2024 Climate Week NYC, health was addressed as an official theme for the first time, reflecting the growing global interest in the connection between climate change and health.
   
   
2. Current Situation and Health Risks in Japan
   In Japan, the health impacts of climate change are severe. According to The Lancet, deaths among those aged 65 and older due to heatwaves have increased by 57% compared to the period from 2000 to 2004. Reports from the Ministry of the Environment also express concerns regarding the rise in infectious diseases, malnutrition, air pollution, heatstroke, and mental health issues. Given Japan’s aging population, addressing the health risks associated with climate change is urgent.
   
   
3. Japan’s International Role
   It is now time for the Japanese government to play an active role within international frameworks. The 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) held in 2024 featured “climate change and health” as one of its main agenda items. The Japanese government has expressed its intention to participate in the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) and is making efforts toward decarbonizing its healthcare system.

The concept of “Planetary Health” has been incorporated into the Japanese Government SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles Revised Edition and The Basic Environment Plan, with the promotion of ATACH also noted in the Basic Policy for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2024 (Honebuto). As discussions progress, including those surrounding the Third Phase of the Plan for Promotion of Medical Research and Development, reducing the environmental burden of the healthcare system will be unavoidable. HGPI’s Planetary Health Project publicly released the “Developing a National Health and Climate Strategy for Japan.” We hope this will encourage a greater number of stakeholders to consider the need for comprehensive measures addressing the health impacts of climate change.

The article may be found at this link. (Viewing the full article requires a Nikkei user account.)
*Available only in Japanese