In 2025, Informa Markets embarks on a significant expansion in Asia with the introduction of Japan Health, a pivotal international exhibition for medical devices and healthcare. Scheduled to take place from June 25 to 27, 2025, at INTEX Osaka, the event aligns strategically with EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Kansai. Japan Health is poised to illuminate Japan’s cutting-edge technology and medical services, fostering global competitiveness, innovation, and meaningful contributions to medical institutions, patients, and societies worldwide. Notably, the exhibition marks the inaugural event and is set to become an annual fixture from 2026 onward.
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Our conversation with Dr. Yoshiki Sawa, a driving force behind Japan Health’s launch, unveils pivotal insights into Japan’s healthcare evolution. Dr. Sawa’s distinguished roles at Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine and Osaka Keisatsu Hospital and advisory positions at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University illuminate his profound expertise. Renowned for his groundbreaking work in heart transplantation, artificial organs, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine, Dr. Sawa’s leadership extends to chairing the upcoming general meeting of The Japanese Association of Medical Sciences in Osaka in 2027. Excerpts from the interview:
You initiated the launch of Japan Health. What was the thought process behind bringing the event to Japan?
I once visited Arab Health and was amazed by the number of exhibiting companies, visitors, and business match-making meetings taking place. I felt that this is the global standard. In Japan, such a truly international exhibition does not exist. I thought having something like Japan Health would create the opportunity to connect with the world and be beneficial. I hope Japan Health will generate opportunities for medical devices and healthcare products to emerge from Japan.
What are your thoughts on Japan’s healthcare landscape?
Japan has many “seeds” of technology as well as “needs”. Japan’s challenge is that these are not being recognised or utilised globally. Japan Health will be held in June 2025 for the first time, which coincides with the World Expo Osaka 2025, with the theme being “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. It is crucial for Japan to use this occasion as an opportunity to create a significant movement and elevate it to the global standard. I hope that Japan Health will serve as a catalyst, enabling various levels of medical care to improve worldwide.
It is crucial that the next level of healthcare business emerges from Japan Health. It involves participation from diverse fields to enhance health and healthcare, ultimately improving human health worldwide. I believe this will result in “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.
How is the medical device industry evolving in the country?
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced in mid-November 2023 that they will sponsor a new project, “Japan Innovation Campus”, in Silicon Valley as an initiative of the Japanese government’s Five-Year Start-Up fostering plan. The five companies selected as this project’s “office members” are worth keeping a close eye on. These include Closer Inc, CUORiPS Inc., Kurtuc Inc., TieSet Asia Inc., and HOMMA Group Inc.
Related: Navigating growth in the APAC region’s medical device landscape
What are some notable tech breakthroughs in recent years that have changed the face of healthcare delivery and patient experience?
I believe that Precision Medicine will become the standard. In particular, preventive medicine is likely to advance as medicine based on preventive healthcare and medical information (big data) progresses. On the other hand, in developed countries, there is a workforce shortage, and robotics and AI technology in medical diagnostics will advance to fill these shortages. In terms of medical treatments, I foresee advancements in regenerative medicine.
For more information, visit https:// japanhealthonline.com
