At GRIPS Forum on December 11, 2023, Dr. Yoshihiro Takayama, Division of Infectious Diseases, Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital / Trustee, NPO Rocinantes, gave a lecture titled “Confronting Twin Challenges in Local Healthcare; The Pandemic and Aging Population”.

Abstract:

Japan, especially in Okinawa's remote islands, faces rapidly increasing healthcare and nursing care demands due to an aging population. The pandemic further strained these resources, but effective responses, including regular visits to elderly facilities and support in infection control, have helped. This situation highlights the importance of community-wide health protection initiatives and serves as a crucial lesson for future challenges in an aging society.

Speaker: Dr. Yoshihiro Takayama,
              Division of Infectious Diseases, Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital /
              Trustee, NPO Rocinantes

Speaker’s Profile:

After working at Kyushu University Hospital, Saku General Hospital, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, I have been involved in infectious disease treatment at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital since 2010. I also established the Community Care Department in the same hospital, primarily focusing on acute and end-of-life home medical care. I have been an advisor to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare since March 2020, a policy advisor for Okinawa Prefecture from September 2021 to March 2023, and a member of the Cabinet Office's Regulatory Reform Promotion Council since October 2023.He obtained Japanese nationality in 2002 and is a Malian Japanese national who speaks five languages, as well as the Kansai dialect.

What is GRIPS Forum?

Since its establishment in 1997, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) has promoted research and education on a wide variety of policy issues. The GRIPS Forum invites specialists from national and local governments as well as academic and business communities to promote policy studies and expand policy networks.