AGP Executive Report

New Treatments: Japan has approved Sanofi’s CirCLIQ on-body injector for subcutaneous multiple myeloma treatment, making it the country’s first anticancer therapy delivered this way. Insmed has also launched BRINSUPRI, the first approved treatment available in Japan for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, for adults and children aged 12 and up. Care Staffing: The government plans to resume foreign-worker intake for meal services at hospitals, care facilities and schools from next April, after shortages worsened. Childcare Health: A draft nursery guideline would let parents, rather than doctors, complete return-to-school forms after flu or COVID-19. Health Policy: Japan is targeting a 2027 start for childbirth coverage intended to encourage larger families. Public Safety: Authorities have warned the public about poisonous mushrooms that resemble edible varieties.

Wearable Health: University of Tokyo researchers developed nearly invisible, stretchable facial sensors that recorded eye, muscle and brain signals in volunteer tests. Longer wear will depend on improving adhesion and durability. Nursery Infections: Japan’s draft guidance would shift flu, COVID-19 and pool-fever return-to-care paperwork from doctors’ opinions to parent notices after diagnosis; nurseries would decide whether forms are needed. Prescription Drugs: Draft rules would keep prescription medicines off pharmacy shelves without a prescription, with narrow exceptions when patients already use the drug and cannot readily access care. Childbirth Costs: Japan is targeting a 2027 start for expanded childbirth coverage intended to encourage families to have more children. Narcolepsy Treatment: Takeda’s new orexin agonist, ORZEYFUL, launched in Japan and China, giving doctors in both countries access to a new treatment for narcolepsy type 1.

Health Communications: Japan’s health ministry has set new guidelines for tie-up advertising in movies and TV, aiming to clarify how promotional content should be handled. Hospital Support: Tokyo is offering small hospitals up to ¥2.7 million to fund a nurse focused on helping patients leave hospital and plan follow-up care. Medical Innovation: A Japanese university and surgeons’ society have performed remote robotic surgery, a step toward expanding access to specialist procedures. Health Data: Japan is proposing to raise fees for linking health records, to ¥82 per 1,000 records. Narcolepsy Treatment: Takeda launched its new orexin drug ORZEYFUL in Japan and China for patients with narcolepsy type 1.

Care and Accountability: Japan settled a lawsuit over inadequate medical care for a 23-year-old detainee who died of cancer, bringing renewed attention to health services in detention. Hospital Support: Tokyo is offering small hospitals up to ¥2.7 million to fund nurses who help patients plan for discharge. Narcolepsy Treatment: Takeda launched its orexin agonist ORZEYFUL in Japan and China, giving doctors a new treatment option for narcolepsy type 1. Surgical Innovation: A Japanese university and surgeons’ society performed remote robotic surgery, while Japan is also considering a higher fee for linking health records.

Mental Health: A large study found that weaker handgrip strength was associated with a higher chance of developing depressive symptoms over time, suggesting it may help flag broader health risks—not that grip strength itself prevents depression. Healthy Aging: A Tokyo symposium brought together experts to compare longevity in Okinawa and Sardinia, focusing on nutrition, genetics, social connection and healthy aging. Eating Disorders: Researchers identified genetic regions linked to binge eating, extending research beyond anorexia and pointing to shared genetic ties with other psychiatric conditions. Care Standards: Japan settled a lawsuit over inadequate medical care for a 23-year-old detainee who died of cancer, renewing attention to healthcare for people in custody. Obesity Treatment: Rhythm Pharmaceuticals launched IMCIVREE in Japan for patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity.

Home Flu Testing: University of Tokyo researchers say an AI system that diagnoses influenza from a throat image could eventually bring testing into the home. The device is already used in Japanese clinics and covered by national insurance; the study outlines what would be needed for home use. Drug Resistance: Researchers found that the hospital fungus Candida auris can duplicate its entire genome, helping some cells survive antifungal treatment—a finding that may complicate efforts to control infections. Care in Custody: Japan has settled a lawsuit over inadequate care for a 23-year-old detainee who died of cancer. Flu Surge: Influenza cases in Japan have reportedly risen sevenfold, prompting school closures as the country heads into winter.

Care Accountability: Japan’s government has acknowledged shortcomings in the medical care of a 23-year-old man who died of testicular cancer while in detention. A settlement raised compensation to ¥3.5 million, with officials agreeing they should have properly assessed whether he needed outside hospital care. Family Health: Japan is eyeing a 2027 start for insurance coverage of childbirth, a policy intended to ease costs and encourage larger families. Infectious Disease: Flu cases in Japan have risen sevenfold, prompting school closures ahead of winter. New Treatment: Takeda has launched its orexin agonist ORZEYFUL in Japan and China, giving doctors a new option for patients with narcolepsy type 1.

Childbirth Costs: Japan is working toward effectively free childbirth from the second half of fiscal 2027, with a new benefit and a uniform payment to providers aimed at easing costs for families. Drug Investment: A government survey found 35% of global pharmaceutical firms’ Japan investment plans for innovative medicines may be scaled back or moved elsewhere, raising concerns about the supply of essential drugs. Medical Device Oversight: Olympus says it will respond to a new FDA warning letter over quality-management processes following inspections in Japan, the U.S. and Europe. New Treatment: Takeda has launched its orexin-based drug ORZEYFUL in Japan and China, giving doctors a new treatment option for narcolepsy type 1. Flu Season: Influenza cases in Japan have risen sharply, prompting school closures and crossing the alert level.

Sleep Medicine: Takeda has launched ORZEYFUL, an orexin agonist for narcolepsy type 1, in Japan and China, giving physicians in both markets access to the new treatment. Hospital Care: Tokyo is offering small hospitals up to ¥2.7 million to fund a nurse focused on supporting patients’ discharge. Medical Technology: A Japanese university and surgeons’ society have performed remote robotic surgery, marking a step forward for connected care. Health Data: Japan is proposing a higher fee for linking health records, at ¥82 per 1,000 records. Public Health: Authorities have warned people to avoid poisonous mushrooms that resemble edible varieties. Japan’s flu cases have also risen sharply, prompting school closures.

Remote Surgery: A Japanese university and surgeons’ society have carried out remote robotic surgery, highlighting efforts to extend specialist care through technology. Flu Season: Japan’s flu cases have jumped sevenfold, with outbreaks forcing school closures and exceeding the alert level. Drug Supply: Japan is moving to restore domestic penicillin production, a push to strengthen the supply of essential medicines. Workplace Mental Health: Japan recorded a record number of workers’ compensation approvals for mental health conditions in fiscal 2025, underscoring growing pressure on employees and employers. Health Tech: Japanese firm Mitsufuji is exploring partnerships to bring wearable clothing sensors that track heart signals to Hawaii.

Flu Surge: Japan’s flu cases have jumped sevenfold, exceeding the alert level and forcing school closures as the season gathers pace. Healthcare Workforce: Mental health disorders among medical workers are rising, while Japan recorded a record number of workers’ compensation approvals for mental-health conditions in fiscal 2025. Doctors are also moving into cosmetic medicine, with pay gaps cited as a factor. Treatment and Pharma: Rhythm Pharmaceuticals has launched IMCIVREE in Japan for acquired hypothalamic obesity. Separately, Japan’s Shionogi is acquiring U.S. biotech company IntraBio in a deal valued at about $2 billion.

Health and Climate: Japan’s national climate plan is among those faulted for not adequately accounting for health, while the report says high-emitting countries’ emissions targets also fall short of what is needed to protect public health. Rare Disease Treatment: Rhythm Pharmaceuticals has launched IMCIVREE in Japan for acquired hypothalamic obesity, the first approved therapy for the condition in the country, following its addition to the national insurance drug list. Pharma Deal: Shionogi has agreed to acquire US biotech IntraBio for about $2 billion, expanding the Japanese drugmaker’s portfolio. Flu Season: Influenza cases in Japan have exceeded the alert level, adding to signs that winter illnesses are rising early.

Medical Workforce: Japanese doctors are increasingly moving into cosmetic medicine amid pay disparities; separately, workers’ compensation approvals tied to mental health reached a record in fiscal 2025. Infectious Disease: Flu cases have crossed Japan’s alert threshold as residents seek vaccinations, while WHO warns that gaps in Western Pacific vaccine programs could fuel outbreaks. Chronic Disease: Japan’s dyslipidemia cases are projected to reach 15.3 million by 2035. Care and Supply: DHL has added a pharmaceutical air corridor to Tokyo Narita as part of six new Asia routes, and Kawasaki Heavy is developing an AI robot dog for elderly care.

Accessible Care: Fukui shoemaker Hirokazu Nagao is modifying rain boots for people with limited mobility, foot conditions or orthotics, making them easier to put on. Drug Development: Asahi Kasei’s Hovilpri won U.S. FDA approval for hard-to-treat mucocutaneous herpes in immunocompromised adults. Flu Watch: Influenza cases in Japan have surged, with school closures reported and residents rushing to get vaccinated. Chronic Disease: A new projection puts Japan’s dyslipidemia cases at 15.3 million by 2035. Workplace Mental Health: Japan recorded a high in workers’ compensation approvals for mental-health conditions in fiscal 2025. Healthy Aging: Kawasaki is developing an AI-powered robot dog for elderly care.

Elder Care: Kawasaki Heavy Industries is trialling an AI robot dog to monitor older people’s health, spot hazards and keep them connected with caregivers; sales are planned for fiscal 2028. Chronic Disease: Japan’s dyslipidemia cases are projected to reach 15.3 million by 2035, highlighting a growing cardiovascular-health burden. Flu Season: Cases have jumped sevenfold, prompting school closures and a rush for vaccinations. Workforce Mental Health: Japan recorded a record number of workers’ compensation approvals for mental-health conditions in fiscal 2025.

Flu Surge: Influenza cases in Japan have jumped sevenfold, prompting school closures as the season starts early. Medicine Supply: Meiji Seika Pharma is working to restart penicillin production in Japan, where domestic manufacturing ended in 1994, amid concerns about reliance on overseas suppliers. Accessible Design: Fukui shoemaker Hirokazu Nagao is modifying rain boots for people with foot problems or limited mobility, including those who wear orthotics. His service starts at ¥13,200. Minamata Legacy: As Japan reflects on 70 years since the mercury poisoning disaster, local journalists are revisiting how community warnings went unheard and why early reporting matters.