Japan's Healthcare Revolution: A Vision for 2035 and Beyond 

Healthcare is of paramount importance in Japan, and it is marked by the country’s long-standing commitment to ensuring everyone has access to medical care. This emphasis on healthcare has contributed significantly to Japan’s high life expectancy and overall well-being. Building on this legacy, Japan has introduced the "Japan Vision: Health Care 2035 Executive Summary," a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing future healthcare challenges.

In 1961, Japan achieved universal health coverage (UHC), which laid the foundation for the country’s social and economic development and supported a healthy aging society. UHC has improved Japan’s health outcomes, economic growth, social stability, equity, and solidarity, driving the nation's economic development over the past 50 years.

However, despite these successes, Japan now faces slow economic growth and demographic transition that are increasing healthcare and social security costs. These challenges raise concerns about public financing and the sustainability of the health and social care systems.

To address these challenges and ensure the country’s healthcare system remains robust, Japan developed the "Japan Vision: Health Care 2035 Executive Summary."

Health Care 2035 is a comprehensive blueprint designed to transform Japan's healthcare system into a sustainable model that contributes to the nation's prosperity and global health.

Health Care 2035 revolves around three key principles:

The plan is dedicated to creating a healthcare system that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, employment status, or family situation, providing value to both patients and society.

It aims to sustain a healthcare system that encourages active community participation, ensuring that everyone has access to a safe environment where they can address their health needs. 

The initiative focuses on building an efficient healthcare system that contributes to Japan’s economic prosperity and extends its benefits globally.

The Japan Vision: Health Care 2035 Executive Summary outlines several actions to bring this vision to life by 2035, focusing on three key areas: 

Lean healthcare refers to providing better care with fewer resources. The goal is to realign healthcare functions to meet the evolving needs of patients, ensuring consistent, evidence-based care. By 2035, Japan aims to implement value-based improvements in healthcare quality and efficiency, making healthcare more cost-effective and patient-centered.

Japan envisions a healthcare system that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health. The Executive Summary promotes preventive care, health literacy, and the elimination of social and structural barriers to health. Goals include achieving a tobacco-free society by 2035 and offering comprehensive health and lifestyle services. The plan also emphasizes building communities that consider social determinants of health. 

Japan aims to become a leader in global health by upgrading its healthcare system to support not only the country but also the global community in combating emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a healthcare system capable of addressing global health challenges. Japan’s Global Health Strategy, reflecting its commitment to human security and global health, aligns with these goals. The plan includes engaging in global policymaking, hosting international health summits, and collaborating with the World Health Organization to detect and contain public health emergencies. 
By 2035, Japan aims to have a stable healthcare system that leads global efforts in infectious disease control, disaster response, and the strengthening of global health systems.

Guided by the three core visions outlined in Health Care 2035, Japan is actively building an infrastructure to realize the direction of the country’s health care system.

Japan needs to create an environment that will bring about change in society by introducing new ideas. To do this, the country is developing a platform for clinical trials, securing diverse research funding sources, and attracting domestic and international innovative talent.

Japan needs to elevate the quality, value, safety, and performance of medical care by developing a comprehensive health care database to support remote diagnosis and treatment. Several efforts are already underway, including the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s Data-Based Health Management Initiatives Roadmap, which focuses on creating a cohesive health care data network and analyzing medical data.

Japan is committed to promoting the importance of public health insurance and securing financial resources. The Japanese Public Finance Fact Sheet of 2024, highlights the need to prioritize and optimize medical care costs and long-term care benefits. Plans include revising medical care fees, drug prices, and long-term care insurance to secure additional financial resources. 

Japan is dedicated to empowering medical professionals to deliver top-tier health care. The country is focused on hiring more skilled doctors and promoting human resource development through multi-disciplinary collaboration between health care and welfare sectors. New graduate schools for public health are being established to cultivate talent for health policy roles. Additionally, efforts are being made to create a standardized foundation for medical and welfare qualifications, alongside setting allocation quotas for insured physicians in underserved areas.

Japan is transforming the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare into an agile and proactive organization through comprehensive operational improvements, personnel reinforcement, and enhanced cross-sectional management and communication. This includes appointing a Chief Medical Officer to advise the Prime Minister and Health Minister on health policy and initiatives, as well as formulating global health initiatives to streamline efforts in global health and international cooperation.

The Japan Vision: Health Care 2035 Executive Summary presents a forward-thinking approach to healthcare, addressing challenges both within Japan and on the global stage. It is committed to creating a healthcare system that is patient-centered, efficient, and sustainable while positioning Japan as a global leader in healthcare. Continuous improvement of the current UHC system will ensure that Japanese citizens continue to enjoy good health and access to quality care. Regular updates and adjustments are essential to maintaining security and fulfillment for all.