Healthcare New Frontier - Initiatives
based on the Concept of ME-BYO
Kanagawa Prefecture

Background
Kanagawa Prefecture is one of the fastest-ageing regions in Japan; a “super-aged society” (*) where theproportion of elderly people aged 65 or over of thetotal population of the prefecture exceeded 21% in
2013. It is expected that the ageing will continue tohealth and sickness, instead of clearly defined conditions of being either healthy or sick. The “ME-BYO”
concept covers the entire process of this change, andthe status of “curing ME-BYO” means bringing a person’s physical and mental conditions closer to thehealthier state.

progress rapidly, and the elderly aged 85 or over willaccount for the largest proportion of the population in
the prefecture by 2050. It is obvious that in the super-aged society with its decreasing population, thecurrent social systems will not be sustainable because
the national capabilities and economic strength will
decline, while the burden of medical and care expenses will increase. There is a need to reform thesocial systems from a fresh perspective.

The prefecture aims to realise a society in which everyone can live healthier and longer lives, to create
the “ME-BYO Industry”, a new industry that originatedin Kanagawa, and to expand its markets, in order toovercome the challenges caused by the super-aged

In response, Kanagawa Prefectural Government hassociety by integrating two approaches, “curing

been promoting a variety of initiatives by establishing

ME-BYO” and “pursuing cutting-edge medical treat-

the “Healthcare New Frontier” policy to overcome

ment and technology”.

various challenges caused by the super-aged society.
From among a wide range of Kanagawa’s initiatives

Purpose of ProjectThrough promoting the Healthcare New Frontier ini-

based on the concept of “ME-BYO”, the initiatives forcreating the ME-BYO Industry and for expanding its
market, are introduced here.

tiatives, the prefecture aims to extend the healthy
longevity (*) of the people of Kanagawa, and to makethe prefecture an engine of economic growth, which
will lead to realising a “society of security, health andpurposeful lives”.

(1)What is the ME-BYO Industry?
The prefecture defines the “ME-BYO Industry” as anindustry which, in addition to conventional prevention/diagnosis methods, creates the “value” of leading

Outline of Project

healthy lives by optimizing both physical and mental
conditions with products and services that lead toThe prefecture thinks that physical and mental condi-“curing ME-BYO”. The prefecture is promoting thetions are continuously changing between the states ofcreation of this industry as it originated in Kanagawa.

(2)Working towards creating the ME-BYO Industry

word “ME-BYO” in January 2014. It was registered inThe prefecture is promoting initiatives to create theJune 2014.

“ME-BYO Industry” which will provide products andservices aimed at “curing ME-BYO”, through efforts todisseminate the concept of “ME-BYO” and to transform people’s behaviour. The initiatives also include

The prefecture is promoting efforts to spread theconcept of “ME-BYO” by actively implementing PR
activities including the use of the trademark “ME-BYO”
in PR magazines and pamphlets.

solving various different issues such as verifying theeffectiveness of products and services, and reforms toremove any regulatory obstacles to the creation of the(5)Certification of the “ME-BYO BRAND”
The prefecture is working on the branding of “ME-BYO”

industry.

by certifying specific excellent products and services(3)Establishment of the “Association for ME-BYOIndustry”
In August 2014, the “Association for ME-BYO Industry”
composed of members from a wide variety of industries and others related to “ME-BYO” was establishedto serve as a forum for consultation and best practices
to solve problems in creating the ME-BYO Industry.
The association aims to extend the healthy longevityof the people of Japan and revitalize Japan’s economy
by creating a new industry, the “ME-BYO Industry”,
which could become a growth industry in the super-aging society, utilizing initiatives such as National
Strategic Special Zones. It also aims to create a newhealthcare system and extend these activities both
domestically and overseas.

related to the ME-BYO Industry as “ME-BYOBRAND”.

Progress and Achievements
InOctober2015,

theinternational

symposium“ME-BYO Summit Kanagawa” was held to discuss
ME-BYO from various perspectives such as advanced
technologies and industrial applications, by inviting
experts from a variety of fields including academia, theprivate sector, as well as organizations at home andabroad. On the basis of discussions during the summit,
the “ME-BYO Summit Kanagawa Declaration” wasadopted, which specified the future direction of initiatives, and disseminated the concept of “ME-BYO” tothe world.

Association for ME-BYO Industry(4)Spreading the concept of “ME-BYO”
The Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture used the word
“ME-BYO” during a visit to the United States, to explain the concept which was not familiar to the localpeople. As the word received a favorable response,
the prefecture filed a trademark registration for theME-BYO Summit Kanagawa 2015 in Hakone

Effects of ProjectSome member companies of the Association for
ME-BYO Industry have commercialized the achievements of their projects and have been steadily expanding their markets. The concept of ME-BYO has
also been spreading.

Reference URL
http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/div/0121/

Contact
Healthcare New Frontier Promotion Bureau
Kanagawa prefectural Government
Tel: + 81-45-210-2715

Challenges and Solutions
The prefecture aims to solve the challenges raised inE-mail: hcnf.mebyo-ict@pref.kanagawa.jp

transformation of people’s behaviour, human resource

Meaning of Terminology/Coined Words
Used in this Project

development, pursuing cutting-edge technology and* Super-aged society: A society where the aging rateestablishing scientific evidence for ME-BYO, and to(proportion of elderly people aged 65 or over of theform a new social system.

total population) has exceeded 21%.

the “ME-BYO Summit Kanagawa Declaration” such as* Healthy longevity: Length of life during which an in-Outlook

dividual can live without limitations on their daily activ-

To expand markets related to the ME-BYO Industry,
the prefecture will promote efforts to further popularize
ME-BYO-related products and services among thepeople of Kanagawa, and proactively approach overseas markets that are expected to have a great demand, thereby expanding international business opportunities.

ME-BYO Japan 2016ities due to health problems.