Lancet Papers Call for Redesign of Japan's Health System and Global Health Strategy by 2040

An international research team, led by Tohoku University, published two policy review papers in The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific. The papers argue that Japan's world-leading healthy longevity, achieved under universal health coverage, requires a full system redesign by 2040 to remain sustainable, rather than minor adjustments. Key recommendations include shifting from a hospital- and service-volume-centered system to one focused on people's lives, health outcomes, and communities, with improved data linkages and independent scientific advice. The papers also advocate for health to be a pillar of "human security diplomacy" and call for stronger cross-ministry coordination and stable multi-year funding for global health initiatives.