Category: Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 10, 2026 Number of comments0
Alzheimer’s Dementia Japan Podcast

Novel Alzheimer’s Therapies Given to Less than 20 Percent of Applicants in Japan [Podcast Episode]

Novel Alzheimer’s therapies have been given to 19 pct of outpatients who applied for the medications, according to a recent survey at a Tokyo hospital. The lecanemab and donanemab therapies for early-stage Alzheimer’s patients are now clinically available under Japan’s national health insurance scheme, which curbs a sharp rise in out-of-pocket medical expenses. Despite the relatively low-cost availability, however, the drugs have eventually been administered to only 87 out of 456 applicants, the survey by a study group at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology showed.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 9, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Hospitals Japan

University of Tokyo to Directly Run Hospital after Scandals

The University of Tokyo will put its hospital under the direct control of the university headquarters by the end of June at the earliest as part of reform efforts following corruption scandals involving doctors at the university. The plan was featured in a set of governance reform proposals, released Wednesday, after an outside investigative panel pointed to problems at the prestigious national university, such as a lack of crisis awareness and a vertically divided organizational culture, in the wake of the scandals.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 9, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability iPS Japan Medical

Japan Eyes Public Insurance for iPS Cell-Based Products

Japan’s Central Social Insurance Medical Council on Wednesday started to discuss extending the public health insurance coverage to two regenerative medicine products using induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cells. The council, which advises the health minister, is expected to decide the official prices for the products as early as summer. The products will come into use for medical treatment after that.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 8, 2026 1
Alzheimer’s Dementia Health Japan

Novel Alzheimer’s Therapies Given to Less than 20 Percent of Applicants

Novel Alzheimer’s therapies have been given to 19 pct of outpatients who applied for the medications, according to a recent survey at a Tokyo hospital. The lecanemab and donanemab therapies for early-stage Alzheimer’s patients are now clinically available under Japan’s national health insurance scheme, which curbs a sharp rise in out-of-pocket medical expenses. Despite the relatively low-cost availability, however, the drugs have eventually been administered to only 87 out of 456 applicants, the survey by a study group at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology showed.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 8, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Japan

Abuse of People with Disabilities by Wakayama Facility Staff Reached Record High in FY2024

The number of reports of abuse of persons with disabilities by staff at welfare facilities in Wakayama Prefecture reached 46 in fiscal 2024, the highest since the enforcement of the Act on the Prevention of Abuse of Persons with Disabilities in fiscal 2012, according to a prefectural survey. Of these, 12 cases were officially recognized as abuse.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 7, 2026 Number of comments0
Japan Medical

Direct Fuel Sales to Medical Institutions Sought in Japan

Japan’s industry ministry has requested major oil wholesalers to sell fuel directly to medical institutions and public transportation operators affected by crude oil supply disruptions amid the worsening situation surrounding Iran. Designating hospitals and other institutions as critical facilities, the ministry asked wholesalers to supply fuel to them on a priority basis, ministry officials said Monday. The fuel subject to the request is expected to include fuel oil used in boilers for sterilizing medical equipment.