Medicine in Japan

2021: Number of weeks of paid maternity leave

Число недель оплачиваемого maternity leave countries around the world for 2021

2020

Duration of guaranteed paid sick leave 6 months or more

Data as of September 1, 2020

In Japan, 75% of citizens would agree to vaccination against COVID-19

Consent of citizens of countries for vaccination against COVID-19 for August 2020

Japan has banned the purchase of local manufacturers of medical equipment. They are recognized as important for national security

On April 22, 2020, it became known about the decision of the Japanese authorities to ban foreign companies from acquiring local manufacturers of medical devices and local pharmaceutical companies, since this, according to the government, poses a threat to national security.

We are talking about companies involved in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, manufacturers of vaccines, serums and prescription drugs, artificial ventilation devices and artificial circulation, infusion pumps and dialyzers, which require modern production facilities and quality control.

On April 22, 2020, it became known about the decision of the Japanese authorities to ban foreign companies from acquiring local manufacturers of medical devices and local pharmaceutical companies

The government not only wants to protect the country's pharmaceutical industry, but also to maintain a stable supply of drugs and medical equipment, the demand for which is growing as countries fight for patients with coronavirus infection COVID-19 around the world, Nikkei reports, commenting on the government's decision to ban foreign investment.

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of local companies working in the healthcare sector has increased significantly. The Japanese government decided that the risk to Japanese national security and life was too great to allow companies with medical technology and manufacturing facilities to pass into the hands of foreign investors.

In November 2019, the Japanese government lowered the maximum share of foreign investment in national security-related projects from 11% to 1%.

The list of industries important for national security, in addition to healthcare, includes telecommunications, power (including nuclear), information security, weapons, oil and gas industries, water supply and railways.

In May 2020, the Japanese government intends to amend the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act to prevent foreign, especially Chinese, influence on these industries at the legislative level.^[1]

2019

Japan first approves Roche drug for personalized cancer therapy

On June 19, 2019, it became known that Japan became the first country in the world to approve the drug of the Swiss company Roche for personalized therapy of malignant neoplasms Rozlytrek (entrectinib). The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Welfare (MHLW) approved the drug for medical use based on the results of the second phase of clinical trials (CI), in which it showed effectiveness in the treatment of ten different types of cancer. Read more here.

Japanese women achieved penny compensation from the state for forced sterilization

At the end of May 2019, a Japanese court decided that the forced sterilization of two women, carried out several decades ago, was contrary to the constitution, but rejected their demands for additional compensation. The case of two Japanese women was the first of 20 such cases. Read more here.

2018: Allocation of $100 billion for the construction of a network of AI hospitals

In August 2018, it became known that the government, Japan with the support of business and the scientific community, is starting to build hospitals in the country, in which it will come to the aid of doctors. artificial intelligence Due to AI technologies, it is planned to cope with the shortage of doctors in Japan, unload staff and reduce medical costs, Nikkei reports.

The authorities intend to spend over $100 billion on the project, the implementation of which will take more than five years. It is planned that by 2022, 10 experimental hospitals will be created in Japan, using AI technologies for a wide range of tasks - from maintaining medical records of patients to performing medical tests and diagnostics using medical imaging methods.

In August 2018, it became known that the Japanese government, with the support of business and the scientific community, is starting to build hospitals in the country in which artificial intelligence will come to the aid of doctors

The race for leadership in the field of creating medical devices using AI technologies is gaining momentum in the world. Serious progress in the field of AI diagnostics is demonstrated the AmericanGeneral Electric by and. the German Siemens

In light of this, the project of the Japanese authorities is extremely important for local manufacturers of medical equipment such as Hitachi and Canon Medical Systems. Both companies do not sit still and try to keep up with foreign competitors. Thus, Hitachi attracts artificial intelligence to analyze computed tomography (CT) results, and Canon with its help improves image quality and optimizes radiation doses during CT studies.

According to estimates by the research company Fuji Keizai, the volume of the Japanese market for medical services using AI technologies by 2025 will increase fourfold compared to 2016 and will reach 15 billion yen (more than $135 million).

The initiative to build an AI hospital network should help solve the structural problems of Japanese health care, including chronic personnel shortages in a number of areas of the country and rising health care costs. Along the way, the authorities expect to increase Japan's competitiveness in the global medical market, make progress in the development of AI technologies and increase the export of medical equipment.

In August 2018, the three departments overseeing the project (ministries of education, industry and health) will begin selecting participating companies, including developers of AI technologies and manufacturers of medical equipment, as well as hospitals for the implementation of the initiative. By the beginning of September, it is planned to draw up a framework program of work. At the initial stage, efforts will focus on the treatment of cancer patients.

The developers will create programs that, using AI algorithms, will automatically enter information into patient maps based on consultations with doctors during appointments. This will reduce the bureaucratic burden on doctors and make it possible to pay more attention to patients.

To improve the accuracy of AI algorithms, it is planned to develop equipment for collecting data from blood pressure meters, electrocardiographs and other devices. The accumulated information about Japanese patients will help improve the diagnostic capabilities of AI systems.

Also, AI systems will be involved in the study of magnetic resonance imaging images, endoscopic imaging results, blood tests and other tasks. It is also planned to use artificial intelligence to study the DNA of patients and select treatment based on the data obtained. However, computers will only help doctors, and the final decision and diagnosis will remain with doctors, Nikkei notes.^[2]

The use of AI technologies will not only facilitate the work of medical staff and eliminate the lack of personnel, but will also allow timely diagnosis of cancer and optimize the treatment process by reducing unnecessary procedures. Thanks to this, the Japanese authorities will be able to save billions of yen annually.

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