Along with super-aging society where the proportion of elderly persons aged 65 and over reaches 28% of total population in 2019, Japan is attracting world-wide attention in terms of how to elaborate sustainable social systems by coping with surging medical expenditure and promoting health status of the Japanese.
To date, Kanagawa prefecture, located in the Tokyo Metropolitan area with 1/3 of Japan’s total population, has served as a healthcare frontier by promote development of cutting edge technology and “Me-Byo” concept. Me-Byo is a new concepts defining mental and physical conditions as being changed continuously rather than being cut between healthy or sick with strict line. It is indispensable for individuals to assess their own health status at any stage and take actions to prevent disease and alleviate symptoms not relying on medical treatment. This paradigm shift is imperative to overcome super-aging society and create sustainable healthcare system.
School of Health Innovation was established April 2019 to foster human resources to take initiatives to develop healthcare industries, technology and policy with entrepreneurship and scientific perspectives. Meanwhile, SHI expanded its scope beyond boundaries by commencement of dialogues with renowned overseas research institutions aiming at exchanging academic knowledges and enhancing collaborative research. 1st International Symposium on “Innovation for Aging Society” is the very first stage to get all the relevant institutions together, share interests and discuss concrete actions in the future.