Abstract
This study examines how political and social dynamics in Japan have shaped the medical perspective on aging, health, and wellbeing, focusing on the healthcare policymaking process. In the context of a super-aged society, Japan’s healthcare system has experienced significant shifts, driven by demographic pressures, fiscal constraints, and shifting political priorities. Through historical and institutional analysis, the study finds that healthcare policy formulation has been less guided by a coherent long-term vision and more by fragmented negotiations among bureaucratic agencies, political actors, and interest groups. It highlights the pivotal role of licensed medical officers in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the political dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party, and the influence of professional associations such as the Japan Medical Association. These actors have engaged in both collaboration and conflict, resulting in incremental rather than transformative reform. The limited involvement of civil society and public discourse underscores the top-down nature of policy decisions. Despite ongoing structural and fiscal reforms, Japan’s medical perspective on aging remains institutionally conservative, prioritizing medicalization and cost containment over holistic approaches to wellbeing and preventive care. The findings provide insights into how socio-political structures mediate the evolution of health policy in aging societies and emphasize the need for inclusive and forward-looking governance to ensure sustainable and equitable health outcomes.
Presenters
Yukio SakuraiCollaborative Researcher, The Organization for Local Collaboration Networking (Legal Unit), Yokohama National University, Kanagawa, Japan
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Medical Perspectives on Aging, Health, Wellness
KEYWORDS
Aging, Medical Policy, Healthcare Politics, Interest Groups, Civil Society
