The event explored learnings, actionable solutions and best practices to build stronger, more resilient global health systems for the future. An exciting lineup of distinguished speakers discussed the complex challenges facing global health systems, with a particular focus on two critical topics: the need to act early on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and health system digitisation. 

Opening and closing remarks were delivered by:

• Michel Demaré – Non-Executive Chair of the Board, AstraZeneca 
• Keizo Takemi – Member, House of Councillors, Former Health Minister, UHC Ambassador 
• Elias Mossialos – Cheng Yu Tung Chair in Global Health, LSE Health Director, Department of Health Policy 
• Hiroaki Miyata – Professor, Health Policy and Management, Keio University School of Medicine 
• Emil Levendoǧlu – Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Tokyo
  

Video appearances: 

• Masaaki Taira – Member of the House of Representatives, Minister of Digital Transformation, Minister of State for Regulatory Reform
• The Right Honourable Lord Lansley CBE – Member of the House of Lords, Former Chair of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group 

Session one: Acting early on NCDs

The growing prevalence of NCDs, like cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and cardio-renal-metabolic diseases, places enormous pressure on health systems globally. Yet many of these conditions can be prevented, or the burden of disease can be lowered, through management of common risk factors and acting earlier. In this session, speakers explored the importance of acting early on NCDs, including international best practice, common challenges, and innovative solutions that could bring economic, social, and environmental benefits, while improving patient outcomes.

Findings from Japan’s upcoming PHSSR NCD Policy Roadmap were used to provide context for policy action to enhance prevention, detection and early intervention on high-burden NCDs. Learn more about the PHSSR NCD Policy Roadmaps.

Speakers included:  

• Shuhei Nomura – Specially Appointed Professor, Global Research Institute, Keio University 
• Ryoji Noritake – Chair, Health and Global Policy Institute 
• Yasuhiro Suzuki – President of the International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW), Former Chief Medical and Global Health Officer, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare 
• Reiko Hayashi – Director-General National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (IPSS), Japan 
• Shigekazu Komoto – M.D, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Health Policy and Evaluation, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine 
• Shoichiro Tsugane – Professor, Graduate School of Public Health, IUHW, Former Director of the Centre for Research on Society and Health, Nation Cancer Centre 
• Jun Sasaki – Chairman of the Board of Directors and Medical Director, Yushokai Medical Corporation, Expert Member, Council for the Promotion of Regulatory Reform 
• Koichi Fukunaga – Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keio Univeristy, School of Medicine 
• Hiromi Todoroki – Board member of Japan Federation of Cancer Patient Groups, Chair of Certified NPO ‘KIBOUNOKAI’

Video appearances: 

• Chris Licskai – Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Canada 
• Heinrich Worth – Pneumological and Cardiological Practice, Germany 
• Stephen Holt – Director and CEO of SEHA Kidney Care, UAE 

Session two: Accelerating healthcare digitisation 

Robust digital health infrastructure can improve health system efficiency by supporting early detection of disease, improving guideline-based care, and identifying health inequities so gaps in care can be closed. This session explored international perspectives on health system digitisation, as well as ways it could be successfully implemented and scaled in Japan.

Speakers included:

• Chang-Chuan Chan – Distinguished Professor at the National Taiwan University, Board Member, the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation (CAPRI) 
• Jan-Willem Scheijgrond – Vice President, Global Head of Government and Public Affairs, Philips 
• Fumihiko Ugajin – President, IQVIA Japan 
• Hiroyuki Komatsu – Head of Business Innovation, Roche Diagnostics Japan
• Mamoru Ichikawa – Healthcare Communicator, Associate Professor, Department of Media Sociology, Faculty of Sociology, Musashi University 
• Makiko Nakamuro – Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University 
• Yusuke Tsugawa – Associate Professor of Medicine and Health Policy and Management, the University of California, Los Angeles 
• Hiroyuki Uchiyama – Assistant Vice-Minister for Pharmaceutical Industry Promotion and Medical Information Management 
• Hitoshi Fukuhara – Representative Director, Heart Valve Voice 
• Takafumi Horii – President and Representative Director, AstraZeneca K.K. 

International knowledge exchange and collaboration are crucial to enacting change on a global scale. PHSSR and its representatives are deeply grateful to the event organisers and everyone who joined us this year to reimagine health systems that are not just reactive but resilient, equitable, and sustainable. Thank you to all the brilliant speakers for their insights, passion, and energy!