On January 10, 2026, Ms. Yui Kohno, Manager at Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), delivered a lecture “Public Health Policy” at the International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW), Graduate School of Public Health.

Under the theme of “Partnership and Citizen Participation,” Ms. Kohno examined the distinctive features of Japan’s healthcare system, the evolving role of advocacy in shaping health policy, and practical approaches to patient and stakeholder engagement. She also discussed upon the importance of cross-sectoral dialogue as healthcare increasingly intersects with diverse domains of society, and underscored the value of incorporating humanities-informed, interdisciplinary perspectives in policy discussions.

The lecture engaged graduate students from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Mongolia, Namibia, and Vietnam, fostering rich dialogue and Q&A, drawing on their diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Participants engaged in active dialogue on the roles and relationships among nonprofit organizations, private sector actors, and public institutions; the structural characteristics of healthcare systems across different countries; and pathways to meaningful patient participation in health policy decision-making.