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Message from the President

Katsuyuki Haranaka, MD
18^th President of the Japan Medical Association

Thank you for visiting the Japan Medical Association (JMA) website.

The JMA has devoted the utmost efforts in protecting healthcare of the people of Japan so that every citizen can receive high quality healthcare anywhere in the nation, thus contributing to the further enhancement of Japan's social security system.

One indication of our success is the fact that Japan is internationally praised as enjoying some of the world's best standards of health. In addition to the nation's low infant mortality and high average life expectancy that accurately reflect national health standards, Japan had led the world in terms of healthy life expectancy for both males and females for five consecutive years.

However, Japanese society is aging at an unprecedented speed, and with this the problem of increasing medical costs has arisen. A decline in the working population due to the falling birthrate and the prolonged economic depression has further spurred the tightening of healthcare finances. In response, the Japanese Government has focused on maintaining healthcare policies that prioritize public finance, while delaying discussion of what form of healthcare the nation truly needs.

A nation without a good healthcare system creates an unfortunate society, and such a society must be rectified. Only when truly sufficient healthcare is ensured, then The nation can promise its people lifelong wellbeing. The JMA recognizes the fulfillment of this promise to the people of Japan as its social responsibility.

For this reason, the JMA aims to be a "medical association that is open to the public, protects the public, and stands by the public." We will continue to do our best to realize a healthcare delivery system of what the public truly requires, undertake a diverse range of activities from the perspective of the general public, and firmly maintain Japan's universal health insurance system that has brought us the top health and longevity standards in the world.

Infectious diseases, natural disasters, and many other issues exist beyond national borders for healthcare professionals. Economic disparities remain large across the world, and access to healthcare varies according to conditions that prevail in each country. The JMA will also continue to help address these issues in cooperation with other national medical associations and colleagues. It is my deepest hope that this website will help you gain a greater understanding of the activities of the JMA.

May 2010