Ms. Eri Yoshimura, Senior Manager at Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), participated in a program held in Sydney and Canberra, Australia, from September 14 to 17, 2026. The program was organized by The Shepherd Centre, a nonprofit organization that provides early intervention for children with hearing loss and their families, with funding from the Australia–Japan Foundation through its 50th Anniversary Grant.

During the program, participants visited organizations that lead hearing support and policy in Australia, as well as Japanese diplomatic missions that serve as hubs for Japan–Australia exchange, to deepen their understanding of hearing loss. The main sites visited were:

• Marrickville Public School
• The Shepherd Centre
• The Australian Hearing Hub at Macquarie University
• The Embassy of Japan in Australia
• The Official Residence of the Consul-General of Japan in Sydney
• Parliament House, Canberra
• Parliament of New South Wales

Through these visits, participants were able to engage with stakeholders from industry, government, academia, and civil society in both countries and strengthen ties between Japan and Australia.

Ms. Yoshimura also gave a lecture on the current state of hearing loss policy in Japan and the need for a life-course-centered approach. The lecture was based on HGPI’s policy recommendations, “Recommendations on Coherent Countermeasures for Hearing Loss Throughout the Life Course: Building a Society Where Everyone Can Access Appropriate Hearing Care.” She also presented key points for developing policy recommendations to participants in a project in which young people with hearing loss from Japan and Australia are drafting 50 recommendations.

HGPI will continue to work to advance hearing loss policy.