*The English version of the report has been published. (August 18, 2026)

Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) launched its Obesity Control Project in 2022 and has since issued recommendations on obesity disease prevention, multidisciplinary collaboration, and coordination with specialized medical institutions for obesity disease management. The Institute has also emphasized the importance of advancing measures that are grounded in patient and lived experience perspectives.

To effectively address obesity, it is essential to pursue two parallel approaches: measures focused on prevention and health promotion, alongside medical interventions. Regarding obesity measures, national and local governments, as well as employers and health insurance providers, are carrying out a variety of initiatives aimed at prevention and health promotion as part of broader efforts to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, efforts by local governments and employers’ health insurance providers to control obesity remain very limited.

In this Discussion Points, from the perspectives of local governments and employers’ health insurance providers, this report summarizes the current status of insurer efforts for the promotion of obesity control measures as well as how to best structure the environment and institutional frameworks needed for the future implementation of such measures.

Interview Content and Discussion Points

1. The Current State of Obesity Disease Control Among Local Governments and Employee Health Insurance Providers

1-1. Content of Obesity Disease Initiatives from Local Governments and Employee Health Insurance Providers
1-2. Starting Points for Obesity Disease Initiatives
1-3. Recognition of Obesity Disease Among Local Governments and Employee Health Insurance Providers Without Targeted Initiatives
1-4. Limitations in Assessing Circumstances Due to Insufficient Data
1-5. Non-Data Factors for Countermeasure Prioritization Among Local Governments and Employee Health Insurance Providers
1-6. Existing Measures Related to Obesity Disease Without Explicit Labeling

2. Necessary Perspectives, Environments, and Collaboration Systems for Obesity Disease Control

2-1. Recommended Actions for Local Governments
2-1-1. Recommended Actions for Local Governments: Build Internal Systems
2-1-2. Recommended Actions for Local Governments: Establish Collaboration Systems With Physicians and Specialists from Local Medical Associations and Core Hospitals
2-1-3. Recommended Actions for Local Governments: Coordinate Among Prefectural Governments, Municipal Governments, and Boards of Education
2-1-4. Recommended Actions for Local Governments and Employee Health Insurance Providers: Design Systems and Establish Support Tailored to the Needs of People Living With Obesity Disease or Serving in Care Settings

2-2. Expectations for Policies and Systems
2-2-1. Expectations for Policies and Systems: Utilize Existing Policies and Systems
2-2-2. Expectations for Policies and Systems: Establish Data (Challenges for Local Governments and Employee Health Insurance Providers with Obesity Disease Initiatives)
2-2-3. Expectations for Policies and Systems: Standardize and Optimize Reference Values for Consultation Recommendations
2-2-4. Expectations for Policies and Systems: Establish Healthcare Provision Systems

3. Overarching Issues Faced By Local Governments and Insurers

3-1. Burdens Associated with Specific Health Checkups and Specific Health Guidance
3-2. Unrealized Priority Areas or Initiatives for Employee Health Insurance Providers
3-3. Insufficient Resources Among Local Governments and Employee Health Insurance Providers
3-4. Issues Related to the Roles and Placement of Occupational Physicians and Occupational Health Nurses
3-5. Issues Related to Data Collection and Analysis
3-6. Issues Related to National Indicators and Expectations for Improvement
3-7. The Need to Advance Programs from the Perspectives of the Insured

Column: Current Measures in Liver Disease Control Related to Obesity Disease

For details, please view the PDF provided bottom.