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Medical and Nursing Care, and Health

What’s new

Overview

Outline of the Medical and Nursing Care, and Health Policy

Materials used in the Third Industrial Competitiveness Committee, Industrial Structure Council, held on April 5, 2010. The materials explain the future strategy for this field.

Outline of individual measures

Program to support collaboration between hospitals and businesses for development and improvement of medical equipment and devices to solve unmet medical needs

The global market for the Japanese medical equipment industry continues growth at an annual rate of about 5-8% and is expected to expand further. By contrast, although the Japanese medical equipment industry is worth ¥2.2 trillion (as of 2008), accounting for 10% of the global market, its trade balance has been unfavorable in recent years. One factor responsible for this is the situation where outstanding manufacturing technologies of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are not effectively exploited for the medical equipment market.

The medical equipment industry is expected to become a leading sector in supporting the future growth of Japan. “The New Growth Strategy: Blueprint for Revitalizing Japan,” which was approved by the Cabinet on June 18, 2010, clearly positions medical, nursing care, and other health-related industries as Japan’s main driving force of growth.

To improve the quality of medical care in Japan and allow Japan’s manufacturing industries to achieve sustainable growth in accordance with this policy, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has been cooperating with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in conducting the “Program to support collaboration between hospitals and businesses for the development and improvement of medical equipment and devices to solve unmet medical needs .” Its aim is to develop and improve medical equipment and related devices contributing to solving challenges faced by medical professionals by capitalizing on manufacturing capabilities of SMEs and non-medical industries.

The program focuses on the following issues.
(1) Selection of the needs from medical professionals and contribute to solving their challenges
(2) Development and improvement of medical equipment and devices through “collaboration between medical institutions and manufacturing businesses”—regional partnerships between SMEs possessing unique manufacturing technologies and medical/ institutions facing challenges that can be resolved by those technologies
(3) Support for integrated projects that extend to clinical evaluation for commercialization

Internationalization of Japanese Medical Services Initiative (Updated on October 25,2012)

Japan, through its world-class medical system and national health insurance program, provides high-caliber healthcare services nationwide. The purpose of the Initiative is to contribute to medical services’ overall quality and to improve competencies, both in Japan and in other countries, through the establishment of an independent business structure.

Visa for medical stay (Updated on October 25,2012)

The Japanese government introduced ‘Visa for Medical Stay’ in January 2011. This visa will encourage more foreign patients and others to visit Japan to access Japan’s high-level medical technology and to recuperate.
The visa is issued not only to patients but also their accompanying person(s) if necessary and as needed.

What is Medical Excellence JAPAN? (Updated on October 25,2012)

Medical Excellence JAPAN (MEJ) is a private consortium which was established with Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
MEJ provides various kinds of services to support foreign patients who wish to undergo medical treatment in Japan. MEJ will support you arranging visas, accommodation, transportation, and so on, as well as booking the initial examination.

  • To get more information, please visit the following website.
    Medical Excellence JAPANExternal Site Link
    (Languages: English, Chinese, Russian)

Phone Number:
+81-3-3811-8801(English)
+81-3-3811-8881(Chinese)
+81-3-3811-8836(Russian)

Medical Industry Working Group

The Report of the “Medical Industry Working Group,” which reviews policies for the expansion of new medical treatment services markets, is as follows.

Luxury travel market

A study group was established to work on attracting foreign luxury travelers to Japan. The group has compiled a report on the “Vision of the Future Luxury Travel Market in Japan.”

Support projects for attracting visitors to local areas, and for revitalizing exchange industries

Aimed at building up industries with international competitiveness for attracting visitors and exchanges, the projects support to utilize local resources such as industries with a distinct local flavor, and to create an environment for the realization of high value-added, attractive services for attracting visitors and exchanges.

Press Releases and Related Information

Resources

Contact

Service Affairs Policy Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau
+81-3-3580-3922
Healthcare Industries Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau
+81-3-3501-1790
Medical and Assistive Device Industries Office, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau
+81-3-3501-1562

Last updated:2012-10-25
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Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
1-3-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8901, Japan Tel: +81-(0)3-3501-1511
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