Press Release
報道資料For Immediate Release

Business Leaders Propose Health Policies toPromote Economic Growth in Japan•••

ACCJ and EBC healthcare reform proposals would lengthen
healthy lifespans and lower the economic burden of disease
Over 150 policy recommendations for greater emphasis on
prevention and early detection based on global evidence andbest practices
36 topic areas for increasing labor force productivity andlowering worker disability and absenteeism

May 31, 2013 – The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan(ACCJ) and the European Business Council in Japan (EBC) today
released a health policy white paper aimed at supporting economic
growth in Japan through policies to lengthen healthy lifespans andreduce the economic burden of preventable, detectible andtreatable disease.
Titled “Lengthening Healthy Lifespans to Boost Economic Growth,”
the white paper combines the latest best practices and evidence
from members of the ACCJ’s Healthcare Committee and the EBC’s
Medical Equipment Committee.	  The white paper was developed
over a one-year period and includes evidence-based policy
recommendations across 36 healthcare topic areas, including both
chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental
illness and infectious diseases like hepatitis and tuberculosis.
At a press conference announcing the white paper, ACCJ President
Laurence W. Bates said, "If adopted, these new policy proposals
would not only lower the social and economic burden of disease but
would also support Japanese economic growth by increasing worker
productivity and lowering disability and absenteeism." Bates went
on to say, "According to a 2011 ACCJ study, disease causes anestimated 3.3 trillion yen in economic losses each year in Japan due
to decreased worker productivity and higher levels of absenteeismand disability."

The proposals span a wide variety of areas, including improvement
in wellness through healthier lifestyles, prevention of disease
through greater vaccination, early detection of disease throughgreater screening of high-risk populations, early treatment ofchronic disease, and the need for enhanced healthcare worker
safety and prevention of healthcare associated infection.
“These recommendations are offered as a first step toward
appropriate policy change in Japan that will help prevent or detect
diseases earlier. I am excited that ACCJ and EBC are working
together to enhance the already high standard of the Japanese
healthcare system,” said Duco B. Delgorge,	 Chairman, EBC.
Many forms of infectious and chronic disease can be prevented or
detected early, but health policies in Japan have traditionallyfocused on the treatment of disease after it occurs or grows critical,
which can result in higher treatment costs.
“The white paper includes 156 policy recommendations that theACCJ and EBC believe would increase the average number of years
that Japanese people live without disease or disability. The
recommendations are not meant to represent a comprehensive
overview, but	 are examples of policies likely to yield significant
positive impact,” said William Bishop, Chair, ACCJ Healthcare
Committee.
“We believe policy changes like these are critical to improving
patient outcomes and saving lives, as well as increasing medical
treatment cost efficiency and boosting workforce productivity as thepopulation ages in coming years,” said Danny Risberg, Chair, EBC
Medical Equipment Committee.
Japan is experiencing unprecedented growth in the number ofpeople over 65 years of age — the group that traditionally accounts
for the majority of healthcare spending. With a growing number ofpeople over 65 and fewer workers to support Japan’s universal
healthcare system, it has become increasingly important for Japanto shift to a prevention paradigm that focuses on wellness,prevention, screening, early diagnosis and early treatment — anapproach that can provide not only better patient outcomes andhigher worker productivity, but significant cost savings.
The White Paper can be downloaded at:
http://accj.or.jp/en/about/committees/committeematerials/cat_view/13-materials/56-healthcare

Policy proposals span the following areas:
General Health
Economic Burden of Disease
Non-Communicable Disease
Vaccination
In Vitro Diagnostic Testing
Healthcare IT
Home Medical Care
Food with Health Benefits
Influenza and Other Biological Disasters
NCDs
Tobacco Control
Vision Health
Oral Care
Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Diabetes
StrokePeripheral Arterial Disease
Musculo-Skeletal Disorders
Chronic Pain
Mental Illness
iNPH
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Carotid Plaque Detection

Women’s Health
Osteoporosis
Breast Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Infectious Disease
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
TuberculosisHIV Examination
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Infection Control
Healthcare-Associated Infections
Closed vs. Open Systems
Skin Antisepsis
Bloodstream Infections
Avoiding Reuse of Single-Use Devices
Health Worker Safety
Needle Stick and Sharp Object Injuries
Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs###1309 EFor inquiries please contact:
Saiko Itoh, Noriyoshi Sudo, Edelman Japan
Tel: 03-6858-7711 Email: ACCJPR@edelman.com
About ACCJThe American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) was established in 1948 byrepresentatives of 40 American companies and has grown into one of the mostinfluential business organizations in Japan. Consisting mainly of executives fromAmerican companies, the ACCJ has members representing over 1,000 companies
with offices in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Working closely with the governmentsof the United States and Japan and other business organizations, the ACCJ
promotes trade and investment flows between the United States and Japan,
promoting the interests of U.S. companies and members, and improving theenvironment for international business in Japan. Over 60 committees
representing various industries play a central role in making ACCJ policy
recommendations by issuing Viewpoints, Public Comments and White Papers andholding over 500 events and seminars annually on public policy and economic
trends. The ACCJ also undertakes charitable efforts and supports its members'
CSR activities.
About EBCThe European Business Council in Japan (EBC)/European (EU) Chamber ofCommerce in Japan is the trade policy and advocacy arm of 17 European national
chambers of commerce and business associations in Japan.	 Established in 1972,
the EBC works to improve the business and	 investment environment in Japan. It	 
currently represents more than	 3,000 local European companies and individuals,
some 400 of whom	 participate directly in the EBC’s 30 sector-based committees.