Addressing megatrends of population ageing and NCDs: WHO launches new partnership with Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture

As population ageing accelerates across much of Asia and the Pacific, pushing higher the incidence and impact of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the Government of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan and the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office have formalized plans to address these megatrends and help inform health policy regionally.

At a ceremony in Yokohama before the International Day of Older Persons, Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa and WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala signed a memorandum of understanding on the partnership, which has three themes:

• Identifying priority knowledge gaps on healthy ageing and NCDs, particularly in the context of demographic transition and evolving health system needs in the WHO Western Pacific Region.
• Generating new multidisciplinary research and synthesizing knowledge to address gaps, drawing on a range of public health expertise; and 
• Translating evidence into actionable policy options by fostering knowledge-sharing; implementing pilot programmes; and contributing to the development of national strategies, operational guidance and scalable interventions.

“This isn’t about viewing population ageing as a crisis. Longevity is actually a triumph of development,” noted Dr Piukala. “What we must tackle, however, is the increase in the already high burden of noncommunicable diseases and mental health challenges linked to ageing, along with the resulting sharp rise in health-care expenditure.

“Japan, as the world’s first hyper-aged society, and with the largest number of centenarians anywhere, has implemented policies and programmes that are a template for others to follow,” he explained. “Kanagawa Prefecture, with its enlightened leadership, is creating a healthier society by shifting focus from treating sickness to promoting well-being and preventing disease progression. Our collaboration capitalizes on this innovative approach.” 

Governor Kuroiwa explained that Kanagawa Prefecture’s Healthcare New Frontier policy package uses an approach known as ME-BYO which has its roots in traditional Chinese health approaches. The ME-BYO approach does not categorize people as healthy or sick, but rather views their physical and mental state as continuously transitioning between health and illness.  

The approach “goes beyond treating a patient’s symptoms of illness by emphasizing a holistic view of the body’s condition. This continuum between health and illness requires a focus on the early detection of risks and undertaking lifestyle improvements before the onset of disease,” he said. “We are gratified that WHO sees merit in this approach, allowing us to share our experience and benefit countries beyond Japan.”

The partnership between WHO and Kanagawa Prefecture will also be carried out with the cooperation of the General Incorporated Association Global Strategy Center for ME-BYO established by the Prefecture in 2025. This partnership will contribute to offering solutions to global health issues, such as extending healthy lifespans and promoting universal health coverage. 

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the bold proposals and commitments that are emerging from this partnership,” said Dr Piukala. “Together, we are linking two of the most pressing megatrends of our time – population ageing and the rising burden of NCDs – and transforming them into opportunities for innovation and impact, allowing us to reap the benefits of a ‘silver dividend’.  

“At WHO, our mission is rooted in the promise of SDG 3: that every person, regardless of age, deserves the highest attainable standard of health.” 

_{WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Yuji Kuroiwa, Dr Yoichiro Matsumoto, President of the Global Strategic Centre for ME-BYO, WHO staff and partners at the signing ceremony formalizing plans to address noncommunicable diseases linked to ageing.} 

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For more information and to arrange media interviews, contact:

Roy Wadia: rwadia@who.int / +63 918 915 7260

Kenichi Oki: inochi-kikaku.ea7m@pref.kanagawa.lg.jp / +81 (0) 45 210 3290

NOTE TO EDITORS:

• Almost 30% of Japan's population of 124 million people, totalling over 36 million people, is 65 years or older, the highest ageing rate globally.
• Japan’s population of those 75 and over has surpassed the 65-74 age group. Further, projections show that in Japan by 2070, roughly one in 2.6 people will be 65 and older.
• About 503 million people aged 65 or over – roughly 60% of the world’s older people – currently live in the Asia-Pacific Region overall. By 2050, that number will almost double to around one billion.
• In the WHO Western Pacific Region specifically, covering 38 countries and areas, there are about 265 million people over 65 years of age – about one-third of the world’s older people.
• Every country in the Western Pacific Region is experiencing a surge of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.