For people, for life, for the future. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Service Guide 2017

Transcription

1 For people, for life, for the future Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Service Guide 07

2 Message from the Vice-Minister Table of contents As expressed by the phrase from the cradle to the grave, the Health, Labour and Welfare administration is the administration that is most familiar to the people, and closely supports the whole life of the people. In order to build a society in which all people can play active roles that makes everyone's life safe and worth living, including the youth, the elderly, males and females, and persons with disabilities and intractable diseases, etc., the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is striving to address challenges in a broad range of fields such as medical/long-term care, childcare support, pension reform, employment/labour, and welfare. In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare plays a central role in working style reforms toward realizing dynamic engagement of all citizens. Furthermore, the budget accounts for approximately trillion yen, almost 56% of the national general expenditure. Moreover, it submitted a total of 7 bills in the past three years, which is the No. of all the governmental ministries and agencies. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare secures a budget in response to opinions of people, and constantly designs and revises systems in accordance with the change of the times. We can say that the Health, Labour and Welfare administration is a dynamic administration that is associated with the future of Japan. In other words, there are opportunities within the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to change the world. For this reason, all the officials who work at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare keep themselves alert and open to the needs of people, as citizens themselves, and are concerned with planning/implementing policies in view of the future. About,000 officials of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare desire to work together day by day, so that not only the people who live now but also the future generations of their children and grandchildren can feel that they are happy to have been born in Japan. Kazuo FUTAGAWA, Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare P. P. 5 P. 7 P. 9 P. P. P.5 P.7 P.9 P. P. P.5 P.7 P.9 P.0 P. P.4 Work that supports people s entire lives Health Bureau Health Service Bureau Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau Labour Standards Bureau Employment Security Bureau Director-General for Human Resources Development Equal Employment, Child and Family Bureau Social Welfare and War Victims Relief Bureau Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly Health Insurance Bureau Pension Bureau Director-General for Planning and Evaluation Director-General for Statistics and Information Minister s Secretariat Organization Chart Location, etc.

3 Work that supports people s entire lives The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare supports the lives of the people at every life stage. The mission of the Ministry is to build a society that ensures the lifelong security of each and every person -from birth through post-retirement. Every life stage together with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Health promotion/ disease control Medical care Health Bureau P. 5 Protecting the universal health insurance system and handing over a sense of security in our daily life to the next generation Health Insurance Bureau Employment policies Food/drug safety Protecting workers livelihoods, safety, and health Realizing work in ways one likes Ensuring drug and food safety Aiming at medical care for all people Ensuring working conditions For Japan to remain an advanced health country Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau Health Service Bureau P. 9 Labour Standards Bureau Employment Security Bureau P. P. P. 7 P. Post-retirement Retirement Marriage/childbirth/childcare Children/students Adults Infants Equal employment for men and women Childcare support Towards realizing a society in which both men and women can play active roles and raise their children without undue worries Equal Employment, Child and Family Bureau P. 7 Vocational skills development Supporting skills development for workers Director-General for Human Resources Development P. 5 Social welfare and relief assistance Support for persons with disabilities For the realization of a regional cohesive society Social Welfare and War Victims Relief Bureau P. 9 Long-term care insurance Aiming at long-term care insurance systems that enable living with a sense of security Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly Pensions Pension system that can help you in case anything happens Pension Bureau P. 5 P. 4

4 Health Bureau Aiming at medical care for all people An important mission of the Health Bureau is to establish an efficient and high-quality medical care system to enable all people to receive appropriate quality medical care in the environment surrounding medical care that is undergoing a drastic change with a diverse disease structure due to the rapid progress in the declining birthrate and aging population and advanced medical technologies, etc. Health Bureau Establishment of a medical care system in communities While medical resources are limited, in order to enable all people to receive appropriate quality medical care, efforts are being made to promote division/coordination of hospital bed functions and enhance home medical services that constitutes an integrated community care system, etc. Developing, and securing of, medical human resources Efforts are being made for the development of appropriate human resources such as doctors and nurses who will take the role of providing medical care, and workplace adaptation and job leave prevention of medical professionals, including work environment improvement and support for returning to work in hospitals and clinics, etc. Support for research on drugs/medical devices, etc. Although drugs/medical devices are essential for the improvement of health and hygiene, their development requires significant time and money, and therefore support for research has been provided through the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, etc. Establishment of a medical care system for the future With an aging population and progress in the advancement of medical technologies, medical care needs have become more diversified and complicated, including not only treatment-oriented medical care but also the improvement of quality of life in which patients coexist with sickness by treatment of chronic phase diseases and home medical care, etc. In order to address this situation, efforts are being made in establishing a medical care system capable of responding to the future of Japan by formulating the future ideal medical care system in communities as community health care visions, including the future demand for each hospital bed function, etc., to promote division/coordination of hospital bed functions and enhancement of home medical care, etc. and setting out visions of new ideal medical care and working styles of doctors/nurses, etc. with consideration given to changes in the environment surrounding medical care at meetings of the Study Group on Working Style Vision of Doctors/Nurses, etc. Based on New Ideal Medical Care held since October 06. Overseas activities in the healthcare field Promotion of innovations in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries Japan is one of the few countries developing new drugs and has cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. Therefore, the pharmaceutical and medical device industries are expected as an industry that bears economic growth. In recent years, the roles of venture companies that turn advanced science and technologies into the development of innovative drugs, etc. are becoming important. Under such circumstances, a report was compiled by the Advisory Panel on the Promotion of Medical Ventures That Take the Role of Medical Innovation, which discusses measures to promote medical venture companies. Based on the report, a specialized department was established to take support measures such as providing consultation on pharmaceutical affairs, etc. on April, 07. Securing medical care systems in a time of disaster In a time of disaster, medical care systems need to be rapidly established in disaster areas to protect people s lives and bodies. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is therefore establishing core disaster hospitals and training disaster medical assistance teams (DMAT*), etc. At the time of the occurrence of the Kumamoto earthquake in April 06, as many as 6 teams (as of April 7) were dispatched from around the country to handle medical care on site during the acute phase of the disaster. * DMAT: An abbreviation for Disaster Medical Assistance Team. A trained medical team with the ability to act promptly during the acute phase of a disaster (first 48 hours after the disaster). Support for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries Pharmaceutical/medical device industries are one of the industries that are expected to lead economic grown in Japan, which lacks in natural resources. Efforts are therefore being made for industrial promotion by appropriately reflecting the opinions of industries in various measures, etc. In order to raise awareness of the high-quality of pharmaceuticals/medical devices and established public health insurance systems, etc. of Japan, memoranda of cooperation in the field of healthcare have been concluded with foreign countries since 0, establishing a cooperative relationship with a total of 6 countries, including Russia in December 06 and Saudi Arabia in March 07, to acquire a closer affinity to Japan to lead to increased use of Japanese pharmaceuticals/medical devices in the future by contributing to the improvement of healthcare levels in the countries through sharing of experiences and knowledge of Japan and providing support for human resources development. istent A medical device used for patients with increased intraocular pressure due to inhibition of aqueous humor secretion. Intraocular pressure is lowered by implanting an extremely small intraocular drain ( mm) in the peripheral part of the eye to secure a secretion route for aqueous humor. * Data provided by Glaukos Japan GK An attempt at new medical care [DMAT heading to the disaster area] As medical technologies advance, people s mindset and awareness regarding medical care rapidly change as well. People s ideals and the actual medical care available to them have become more diverse. To provide medical care which will satisfy people s needs safe and securely, governance reforms such as establishing a medical security system for patients at advanced treatment hospitals, revising medical advertisement regulations have been enforced. Multilateral actions are taken to improve the environment that surrounds medicine today. [Conclusion of a memorandum of cooperation between Ministers (with Skvortsova, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation)] [Conclusion of a memorandum of cooperation between Ministers (with Tewfik, Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia)] 5 6

5 Health Service Bureau For Japan to remain an advanced health country Japan could become an economically advanced country because it is the world's leading advanced health country with small health disparities among its people. In order to enable all people to live healthy lives in ways they like, the Health Service Bureau is working to prevent the risk of infectious diseases, provide support for people s health promotion, and take measures with regard to diseases such as cancer and intractable diseases, etc. and organ transplants. Health Service Bureau Infectious disease measures Strengthening of quarantine systems, vaccinations, and appropriate use of antibacterial agents have been promoted to prevent the risk of infectious diseases that threaten human lives irrespective of national borders such as Zika virus infection and Ebola hemorrhagic fever, etc. and the spread of infectious diseases such as measles and influenza. Cancer control measures In order to enable people to live with a sense of security even though they have cancer, a system in which cancer can be detected early and people can receive cutting-edge cancer treatment that matches their individual needs has been established and measures for balancing between cancer treatment and work have been promoted. Intractable/rare disease measures In order to enable people to live without undue worries even though they have intractable/rare diseases, efforts are being made in developing a medical environment that enables early diagnosis and appropriate treatment and providing support for the development of drugs, etc. toward complete remission of intractable/rare diseases. In order to enable people in need of organ transplants due to serious illnesses, etc. to receive transplantation therapy, efforts are being made in the environmental improvement of medical institutions, etc. [Educational pamphlet for raising awareness] [Poster for Health Promotion Month] Realizing a society in which people can live with a sense of security even though they have cancer Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Japan since 98, and 50% of the people are estimated to suffer from cancer once in their life. Cancer remains an important issue for people s lives and health, and therefore the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare promotes cancer control measures in a comprehensive manner. First of all, efforts to prevent cancer have been promoted mainly by raising the cancer screening rate. In addition, from the point of view of promoting cancer treatment/research, efforts are being made in promoting cancer genomic medical care and facilitating research on refractory cancer, childhood cancer, and rare cancer, etc. Furthermore, efforts are being made in providing employment support for cancer patients to enable people with cancer to continue their social life. The Bureau will continue to make utmost efforts in realizing a society in which people can live with a sense of security even though they have cancer. Preventing the occurrence/spread of infectious diseases to support the safety and security of the people In 06, Zika virus infection became an epidemic mainly in Latin American countries and there was a mass outbreak of measles in Japan. Accelerated international flow of people and goods today necessitates thorough infectious disease measures not only in Japan but also across national boundaries. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare strives to raise public awareness of correct knowledge about infectious diseases and preventive measures such as vaccinations, etc. in normal times, prevent entry of infectious diseases into the country through reinforcing functions of quarantine stations, and strengthen the ability of administrative/medical institutions for proper response to the domestic occurrence. In recent years, strains of antimicrobial bacteria have been occurring worldwide, and efforts to promote appropriate use of antimicrobial agents, etc. are being made in Japan for appropriately using antimicrobial agents against antimicrobial bacteria (AMR). The Bureau will make efforts in taking infectious disease measures such as strengthening domestic systems and promoting vaccinations while keeping an eye on the occurrences overseas. Sexually transmitted infection measures Anyone can be infected with sexually transmitted infections through sexual activities, and once infected, physical impediments such as infertility, etc. and genital organ cancer may result. However, even if one is infected with sexually transmitted infections, there may be no symptoms or only mild symptoms and therefore he/she will be unaware of being infected, causing expanded infections. In order to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, the Bureau will continue to take sexually transmitted infection measures such as promoting examinations for sexually transmitted infections at health centers, etc. and consultation/public awareness projects on sexually transmitted infections, etc. [Public awareness poster using a character (from Nov. 06)] Naoko Takeuchi The health impacts of second-hand tobacco smoke are scientifically clear and over 5,000 persons die annually from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, but preventing second-hand tobacco smoke exposure is a non-binding obligation in Japan. In addition, all the cities that hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games recently have taken measures to prevent second-hand tobacco smoke exposure by means of legal regulations. From the point of view of promoting people s health, the Bureau will make further efforts to prevent second-hand tobacco smoke exposure at the Tokyo Olympic/Paralympic Games in 00 as a turning point. [Logo of Aiming for a society without second-hand tobacco smoke ] Measures to prevent second-hand tobacco smoke exposure Vaccination In Japan, the preventive vaccination system was established in 948 and vaccinations significantly contributed to mankind, including the eradication of polio and smallpox, which have been a threat to mankind., etc. Even today, vaccinations play an important role of protecting people s lives and health as epidemics of infectious diseases have been curbed by providing opportunities for children and the elderly to receive necessary vaccinations. Although extremely rare, however, vaccinations can cause health hazards due to side reactions. Therefore, efforts have been made in providing prompt relief, enhancing medical and living support, and developing a safe vaccination system by promoting discussions based on the latest scientific knowledge, etc. Furthermore, support has been provided for the development of vaccines necessary for both domestic and overseas infectious disease measures ahead of any other country. 7 8

6 Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau Ensuring drug and food safety The Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau ensures the quality, efficacy, and safety of drugs/medical devices, etc. manufactured and sold in Japan through application reviews and safety measures, etc. so that people can use them without any undue worries. Through these efforts, the Bureau contributes to the realization of extended healthy life expectancy with provision of high quality medical care. The Health Service Bureau is working to make our lives safer and more hygienic through formulation of food standards, supervision/guidance, improvement of environmental health, and the provision of safe tap water, etc. Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau Ensuring drug safety Through application reviews and safety measures, etc., the Bureau ensures the quality, efficacy, and safety of drugs manufactured and sold in Japan so that people can use them every day without any undue worries. Ensuring safety of medical devices/regenerative medical products Through application/ certification reviews and safety measures, etc., the Bureau ensures the quality, efficacy, and safety of various medical products with a broad range of properties and forms, including medical devices, in-vitro diagnostic reagents, regenerative medical products, etc. Ensuring food safety Food safety in Japan is ensured by flexibly responding to progress in the science and technology of food, globalization of food distribution, and diversification of dietary habits, etc. Ensuring safe tap water In addition to operation of water supply related systems such as approval of water supply services and formulation of water supply quality standards, etc. and provision of financial support for making water supply facilities earthquake-resistant, etc., the Bureau handles damages from water supply disruption in times of disaster. [Cell sheet] [Food Inspection] [When the Kumamoto Earthquake occurred, water pipes were damaged and water spilled all over the town] Development of environmental health industries, etc. In addition to hygiene regulations and promotion of environmental health industries, including qualification system for barbers/beauticians and approval system for hotels/inns, etc., the Bureau is also responsible for ensuring a healthy environment in buildings, etc. Delivering cutting-edge drugs/medical devices, etc. to medical sites ahead of any other country Growth of the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, which are knowledge-intensive and high value-added industries, as well as progress of regenerative medicine technologies, that Japan is a leading country in the world, are one of the important pillars of the Growth Strategies. With various efforts being made, the issues of drug/device lag have already been issues of the past. At present, an emphasis is placed on efforts to provide cutting-edge drugs/medical devices, etc. to patients before any other country in the world. In addition, with the practical application of robots/ai/genomic technologies and progress of regenerative medicine technologies, development of superior products that do not fit in the conventional categories has currently been promoted. In response to such trends, the Bureau is working to develop appropriate regulatory environments to enable rapid use of safe and quality products at medical sites. [HAL for medical use - lower limb model] Formulation of standards and supervision/guidance in ensuring food safety The Bureau is working to ensure that people can enjoy what they eat every day without any undue worries by setting the standards on pesticide residues in food and production methods based on scientific evidence, providing supervision and instruction on domestically traded products, and making efforts in securing the safety of imported food. In particular, in order to broadly introduce hygiene management in Japan based on the international standard in food hygiene management, HACCP (a method for analyzing, assessing, and controlling hazards such as food-poisoning bacterial contamination and mixing of foreign objects, etc. in the food manufacturing process), discussions are taking place towards system establishment. In addition, it is important for each country to set out regulatory measures based on international standards in accordance with rules on international trade of foods. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, in collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies, etc., participates in the Codex Alimentarius Commission which is responsible for formulating the international standards on food to ensure that the Codex standards better reflect the actual situations in Japan. [Risk communication on imported food] Strengthening water supply infrastructure to be passed on to future generations In Japan, water supply services are available to approximately 98% of the total population, and for water quality, the world-acclaimed safe and tasty water has been achieved. At present, however, sustainability of water supply services is in danger. Water pipes established during the period of high economic growth are aging, and they need to be replaced and made earthquake-resistant to be able to withstand frequently occurring earthquakes, etc. However, with the arrival of a society with a decreasing population, the water charge income has been decreasing, and further worsening of the financial condition is of concern. Furthermore, Japan is also facing the issue of a significantly decreasing number of employees engaged in water supply services. In order to resolve these issues and to hand down water supply services to future generations, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare promotes business integration to integrate and rationalize management of multiple water supply utilities, appropriate asset management, and publicprivate cooperation, etc. [Water supply facility collapse due to the Great East Japan Earthquake] Eradication of dangerous drugs Dangerous drugs (new psychoactive substances) can seriously harm physical/mental health and cause tragic accidents. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has strengthened various countermeasures, including rapid designation of probable psychoactive substances, order of discontinuation sales to stores selling such products that are suspected as being designated substances, and control of Internet sales sites, etc. The Narcotics Control Departments within their respective Regional Bureaus of Health and Welfare in cooperation with the police and relevant agencies, including customs, etc., have been making efforts in more flexible and effective law enforcement activities. As a result, physical retail stores that sell dangerous drugs were completely wiped out in 05. However, dangerous drug stores tend to go underground with their sales by using the internet or through delivery. The Bureau will continue to make efforts to eradicate sale of dangerous drugs through activities to raise awareness for the prevention of drug abuse, sharing information with relevant domestic and overseas agencies, collecting information on non-regulated substances, designation of designated substances, border control (import) measures, internet measures, etc. [Poster against dangerous drugs] 9 0

7 Labour Standards Bureau* *Some work has been transferred to Employment Environment and Equal Employment Bureau in July 07. Protecting workers livelihoods, safety, and health The Labour Standards Bureau protects people s livelihoods, safety, and health from the viewpoints of workers. The Bureau therefore gives instructions to enterprises with illegal long working hours to comply with laws and regulations to realize work environments in which workers can comfortably work with a sense of security. Labour Standards Bureau Ensuring and improving working conditions In Japan, minimum standards concerning working hours, wages, and industrial safety and health are set based on the Labour Standards Act, etc., and the Bureau is working to ensure that these minimum standards are followed nationwide. Ensuring workers safety and health Workers go to work and come back home every day with health and vigor; In order to protect such common practice, measures to protect workers safety and health have been taken, including prevention of accidents and death from overwork at work sites, ensuring mental health, and balancing between medical treatment and work. Workers' accident compensation insurance system Workers' accident compensation insurance is a system for providing necessary compensation for injuries that workers suffer during work or commuting. In recent years, the number of applications for workers accident compensation insurance involving death from overwork, etc. has been increasing, and the Bureau is working to provide insurance benefits in a rapid and appropriate manner. Ensuring minimum standards for working conditions Workers troubled by illegal long working hours or non-payment of wages can consult with Labour Standards Inspection Offices. In Japan, minimum standards for working hours, wages, and occupational safety and health are stipulated in the Labour Standards Act, etc. Labour Standards Inspectors are responsible for instructing enterprises to comply with these acts. The Inspections are assigned at 5 Labour Standard Inspection Offices across Japan and conduct on-the-spot inspection of enterprises. If any violation is found, they request business owners to correct promptly. In case of a serious/vicious violation, the inspectors conduct investigations as a criminal case and send the case to the Public Prosecutor s Office. Through these efforts, the Ministry is working to realize a society in which the statutory working conditions are ensured and workers can live with a sense of security. Promotion of reduction of long working hours Towards realizing the hours of overtime work equivalent to that in European countries, ideal overtime work regulations based on the Labor Standards Act are being discussed. In addition, for industries with long working hours, in order to make in-depth improvements even in business practices and subcontracting structure, discussions involving business operators and relevant ministries and agencies are taking place. Minimum wage of,000 yen per hour The national weighted average minimum wage of,000 yen has been sought. The national weighted average regional minimum wage increased by 5 yen from the previous year to 8 yen in FY06. The amount of increase was the largest ever*. * Since the minimum wage has been based on hourly amount. In addition, measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises, etc. that are particularly significantly affected by the increase have been enhanced as part of improving the environments for increasing the minimum wages. Telework Telework refers to working at home, etc. away from the locations where workers normally work by utilizing ICT (information and communications technology) such as the internet, etc. Telework has many advantages, including increased work efficiency and decreased overtime work and preventing separation from employment due to childcare or long-term care. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has been developing guidelines, etc. to diffuse telework based on appropriate labour management. Promotion of efforts to prevent industrial accidents The number of workers injured at work sites exceeds 0,000 and nearly,000 workers die annually. Karoshi-death from overwork, mental disorders due to stress from work, and occupational cancer in chemical plants are just some examples of these accidents. In order to prevent such occupational accidents, the Ministry is working to respond to the changes of the times by establishing a new framework or improving existing framework.

8 Employment Security Bureau* *Some work has been transferred to Employment Environment and Equal Employment Bureau in July 07. Realizing work in ways one likes The Employment Security Bureau has been providing a nationwide safety net through 500 Hello Work offices across the nation by [] conducting job placements, [] operating the employment insurance system to provide workers with income compensation when they become unemployed, and [] implementing employment measures toward the realization of working style reforms. Employment Security Bureau Job placement Hello Work offices implement job placement, employment consultation, job offer development, and vocational training. Employment insurance In order to stabilize workers' lives and employment and promote employment, unemployment benefits are provided to those who are unemployed, those who are receiving education/training, and those who have taken child/family care leaves. Realizing dynamic engagement of all citizens through employment measures While the population of working age is decreasing, the Employment Security Bureau promotes the entry of a diverse workforce, including females, young people, the elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and foreigners, etc., and provides support for their active participation. Realizing equal pay for equal work At present, non-regular workers account for approximately 40% of all workers and have issues such as more unstable employment, lower wages, and less opportunities of ability development when compared to regular workers. It is important that workers receive substantial working conditions regardless of the working style they choose and that people can freely choose diverse working styles that match their individual life styles. Therefore, the government regards realization of equal pay for equal work as one of the primary issues and formulated draft guidelines in a concerted effort at the end of 06. The legislation of the guidelines will be considered in the future. improve productivity in cooperation with financial institutions, preferential treatment is given when enterprises that improved their productivity use labour-related subsidies. Improving employment situation The unemployment rate shifted to a low level for the first time in approximately years, and the effective ratio of job offers to applicants reached a high level for the first time in 5 years. In addition, the effective ratio of job offers to applicants exceeded.0 in all prefectures for the first time ever. As just described, the employment situation is steadily improving. The Bureau aims to promote stable employment and skills development in regions, improve labour productivity that utilizes inventive ideas in regions, and strengthen the economic base by supporting efforts of regular employment creation and human resource development integrated with industrial measures of each prefecture. Analyzing labour market The Bureau analyzes the employment indices such as the unemployment rate and effective ratio of job offers to applications, etc. to plan policies. Establishing labour market rules In order to promote the matching between enterprises and workers in an appropriate and smooth manner while utilizing private sector capabilities, rules on private worker dispatching and job placement, etc. have been established. Support for improving productivity of enterprises In order to achieve economic growth with an expected decrease in the labour force in the future, improving added value that individual workers produce (productivity) is the biggest challenge that Japan is facing. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has been providing business operators with subsidies to respond to various employment issues. In order to support the efforts of enterprises to Creating jobs in local regions to enable people to work anywhere with a sense of security in the future At present, in addition to a population decline, many young people are flowing out to Tokyo and other large cities. The worsening labour shortage in local regions has long been an issue. One of the factors causing young people to flow out is that labour productivity in local regions is low when compared to large cities, leading to disparity in wage levels. In order to resolve such regional issues, the Employment Creation Projects for Regional Vitalization has been established in cooperation with industrial measures of prefectures in FY06 to work on regular employment creation in regions. Hello Work for mothers - supporting job seekers with young children - Elimination of the M-shaped curve has long been an issue for women, thus, Hello Work for mothers supports women raising young children. This facilitation allows women to visit more easily with their young children, and provides individual employment consultations by designated consultations. Moreover, Hello Work for mothers provides comprehensive services by collecting job offers realizing work-family balance, introducing job offers according to jobseeker s needs, holding useful seminars in returning from maternity leave, and providing information on nursery childcare from local governments. [Consultation at Hello Work for mothers] [Kids corner] 4

9 Director-General for Human Resources Development* *Before the organizational restructuring in July 07, it was Human Resources Development Bureau. Supporting skills development for workers The Director-General for Human Resources Development aims to realize a society in which all people can utilize their abilities and actively work by providing support for those willing to acquire skills and obtain employment, those willing to develop different skills at workplaces, and enterprises working on human resource development for their employees, etc. Director-General for Human Resources Development Vocational training by the government and prefectures Training opportunities have been provided as a safety net for employment by conducting nationwide training for job leavers to acquire knowledge necessary for re-employment and operating 9 vocational skills development schools for persons with disabilities nationwide, etc. Career development support for workers Voluntary career development by individuals are supported through job cards that can be utilized for designing future career and demonstrating vocational abilities and provision of training and education benefits that subsidize part of the training costs of courses that workers take, etc. Enhancement of vocational training towards employment and skills development Public vocational training courses are established taking into consideration human resource needs of industries and regions to support those wishing to obtain employment to acquire skills and knowledge required in workplaces. In order to help young non-regular workers, etc. obtain national qualifications and then regular employment, long-term training (one to two years) will be further enhanced and training courses towards re-employment for childrearing females further improved in the future. In addition, support will be provided for increasing the added value of services/quality and work improvement/ optimization in enterprises through human resource development of employees by conducting vocational training also for those employed to improve specialized knowledge and technologies required in their work. supporting workers in deepening understanding of their work and self-understanding and in their career planning. In addition, the Director-General is working on improving the training and education benefit system that subsidizes part of the costs of training courses that workers take for skills improvement and acquisition of qualifications. construction carpenter, and financial planning, etc. Those who pass the test are eligible to use the title of certified skilled professional. The Director-General provides support for students and young people to improve their skills with a goal. In addition, efforts are being made in improving skills levels and promoting skills through National Skills Competition in which young people who will lead manufacturing of the next generation compete at their skills for national championship and Award for Outstandingly Skilled Workers (Great Craftsmen in the present world) program, which grants awards to outstandingly skilled workers who are regarded as the leading experts in their fields. Support for career/skills development of workers Support for human resource development by enterprises Support has been provided to enterprises that are making efforts in human resource development by subsidizing part of the training costs conducted for their employees and implementing accredited vocational training systems under which the prefectural governors certify trainings provided by enterprises and industries. Vocational skills evaluations and skills promotion The Director-General is working on the development of a framework in which abilities of individuals can be objectively evaluated by promoting trade skills tests implemented by the government and prefectures and certification systems of each enterprise/industry, and skills promotion through skills competitions. Technical cooperation with developing nations The Director-General contributes to the development of worker s skills for those who are expected to play roles in economic growth in developing countries by temporarily accepting foreigners from developing countries, etc. in Japan to participate in the Technical Intern Training Program in which trade skills are transferred through on-the-job-training, etc. Providing support for individual workers to voluntarily evaluate and develop their careers so that they can fully utilize their abilities and actively work by responding to rapid changes in technological innovations and social and economic circumstances has been an important challenge. Which jobs best suit me? What should I do to further develop my career? The Director-General promotes career consultations to consult on career choices and work-life plans, and facilitates utilization of Job Card that is a tool for Hello Training - steady learning wins the race - Hello Training is a nickname for public vocational training, which was chosen from among public submissions in 06. The concept that people will dicover new jobs and skills which will motivate them to participate in training is expressed in this name. The catch phrase of steady learning wins the race also expresses the wish that participants will work on acquiring new skills positively and patiently. The Director-General will make efforts in having many people utilize Hello Training for their career development and re-employment in the future. National Trade Skills Test and promotion of skills National Trade Skills Test is a national certification program for evaluating the levels of acquiring skills necessary for work in approximately 0 job categories, including machining, Enactment of the Technical Intern Training Act Technical Intern Training Program is a system for international contribution aimed at accepting people from developing countries to take on-the-job training at Japanese enterprises, etc. who will then go back to their home countries to utilize the skills and knowledge learned and actively work. However, the Technical Intern Training Act* was revised in consideration of indications that some enterprises do not properly understand the purpose of this system and there are cases of inappropriate acceptance, including violations of labour standards related laws such as non-payment of wages, etc. The Act strengthens the management and supervision systems by creating a new corporate body responsible for establishing and operating an approval system for supervising organizations and allows excellent supervising organizations, etc. to extend the training period, etc. Under the new system, the Director-General will contribute to the development of human resources which will lead the economic growth in developing countries. * Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees 5 6

10 Equal Employment, Child and Family Bureau* *After July 07, it became "Employment Environment and Equal Employment Bureau" and "Child and Family Bureau". Towards realizing a society in which both men and women can play active roles and raise their children without undue worries The percentage of elderly persons aged 65 or older in the total Japanese population reached 5%, and the number of births fell below one million. The declining birthrate and aging population is progressing in Japan, and Japan is now becoming a society with a decreasing population. The Equal Employment, Child and Family Bureau aims to achieve the desirable birthrate.8 by promoting working style reform from the point of view of more active roles of females and a good balance between work and family and comprehensively developing childcare support environments such as day care centers, etc. Equal Employment, Child and Family Bureau Support for children and childcare In order to create an environment in which anyone can raise his/her children without undue worries, the Bureau is working to develop day care centers and after-school children s clubs, etc., take measures to prevent accidents in facilities, and secure nursery staff. Protecting abused children, etc. The Bureau supports nurturing of children in difficult situations such as being abused or having no parent by establishing systems for preventing the occurrence of child abuse, early detection and prompt handling of child abuse, protecting children and supporting their independence, and supporting guardians, promoting adoption, entrusting to foster parents (see A message to prevent child ), and facilitating abuse is put in orange ribbons. admission to foster homes, etc. Elimination of wait-listed children The Comprehensive Support System for Children and Child-rearing, which promotes school education and day care services in early childhood and quantitative expansion and quality improvement of regional childcare support, commenced in April 05. Under the new system, in order to prevent such situations as daycare centers not being available, even if children are born or the mother is unable to continue working, the Bureau is working to ensure the quality of day care services and secure places for day care services and nursery teachers who will work there, and provide close support for users of day care concierge, etc. aiming at realizing a society in which those who wish to use day care services can have their children enter day care centers and work while raising their children without undue worries. parent bears both the burdens of childcare and earning a living on their own is an important theme for poverty alleviation measures for children. Based on the Sukusuku Support Project established in 05, comprehensive support has been provided to single-parent households. The Bureau is working on various poverty issues not limited to financial ones, including support for child education, etc. In addition, efforts are being made in expanding the eligible age to enable children living in foster homes to continue to live there even after entering universities, etc. promotes the use of child care leaves and systems for working reduced hours, and measures to prevent harassment on the basis of pregnancy/childbirth, child/family care leave, and gender, etc. In addition, in order to further accelerate efforts of enterprises for childcare support and more active roles of females, the Bureau promotes environmental development of workplaces that are comfortable to work in through dissemination of information and the promotion of efforts of the respective enterprises (formulation of action plans, etc.) based on the Act on Advancement of Measures to Support Raising Next-Generation Children and the Act on Promotion of Women s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace. Promoting more active roles of females and creating working environments in which females can work more comfortably The Bureau is working to promote efforts of enterprises to promote more active roles of females, and create a society in which females can shine through measures to prevent harassing behaviors such as sexual harassment in workplaces, etc. Support for a good balance between work and family and improvement of environmental according to diverse working styles In order to develop environments in which both males and females can have a good balance between work and childcare/long-term care, the Bureau is making efforts to encourage them to take child/family care leaves, etc. and establishing rules for work from home, which does not depend on employment and is increasing in recent years. Promotion of health for mothers and babies The Bureau aims to realize a society in which mothers and babies can live a physically and mentally healthy life by promoting [Maternity mark] health checkups for expectant/nursing mothers and infants and establishing a consultation support system on various issues that households face during the pregnancy period to the childcare period, etc. Poverty alleviation measures for children to protect the future of Japan Japan faces a host of challenges such as the declining birthrate and aging population, etc. The poverty of children who will lead the future of Japan has been an issue. Protecting the present happiness of children is most important, because it will lead them to fully utilize their abilities in the future to protect someone else s happiness. Providing support for single-parent households in which one Adoption/foster parents There are approximately 46,000 children nationwide who have no guardian or whose guardians are deemed inappropriate to raise them due to abuse, etc., and many of them live in a group in foster homes. However, it is desirable for them to grow up in a warm and family-like environment to the extent possible. The Bureau is therefore working to promote adoption of children, which has not commonly been utilized in Japan, and increase the number of foster parents. Promotion of more active roles of females With the aim of developing an environment in which both males and females can have a good balance between work and childcare and work without undue worries, the Bureau Drastic reform led by young people at Jokatsu Department At the end of last year, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare SHIOZAKI and many other officials of the Ministry declared Ikuboss. The Minister s special assignment team Jokatsu Department ( Jokatsu means more active roles of females) was organized to discuss measures to promote more roles of females and Ikumen (meaning males who are actively involved in childrearing). Jokatsu Department considers that more active roles of females require () the development of comfortable-to-work workplaces (working style reform) and () promotion of males participation in childrearing (prevalence of Ikumen), and the scope of Ikuboss who makes consideration of work-life balance of his/her subordinates was expanded from MHLW to other ministries and agencies, local governments, and the entire society, including private enterprises. Using First change the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and then the entire society as a catch phrase, new efforts based on free thinking of young people have been launched one after another. 7 8

11 Social Welfare and War Victims Relief Bureau For the realization of a regional cohesive society The Social Welfare and War Victims' Relief Bureau continues to make various efforts in living/working/supporting each other towards realizing a regional cohesive society of our concerns/in whole in which all people share the concerns over troubles and issues that people in need have and do not regard them as other people's concerns. Social Welfare and War Victims Relief Bureau Realizing regional cohesive society The Bureau aims to realize a regional cohesive society in which people regard various challenges in life that individuals and households have as our concerns and support them in regions in whole. For people having difficulties making a living With the public assistance system, which is the last safety net, and the support system for needy persons, which provides independence support at a stage before receiving public assistance, a multi-tiered safety net has been established to provide close independence support to people having difficulties making a living. Establishing the social welfare bases Systems for providing welfare services have been established through the strengthening of governance and fiscal discipline of management organizations of social welfare corporations and securing/developing welfare/long-term care human resources. Support for people having difficulties making a living, which is the basis of welfare Based on Article 5 of the Constitution, minimum standards of living are guaranteed for all even if any situation arises. Therefore, with the public assistance system, support is promptly provided to people in need without fail. In addition, with the support system for needy persons, more comprehensive support that takes into consideration the entire life in whole, including work, livelihood, and housing, etc. is provided to people having difficulties making a living. The Bureau will continue to provide various support so that all people can live independent lives. Child education support In order to break the poverty cycle, educational support projects for children of poverty households, including children of households receiving public assistance, have been implemented in accordance with the Act on Support for Self-reliance of Needy Persons. When implementing educational classes and creating places to spend time, etc., local governments make original and inventive efforts according to the actual situations of the regions, including utilization of regional resources, education support volunteers and former teachers in the regions, etc. In FY07, collaboration with educational institutions such as schools will be strengthened. Measures against addiction The situation where people are willing to quit but cannot quit and cannot moderately use alcohol/drugs/gambling, etc. is called an addiction. Since addiction can harm healthy social lives of the persons concerned or their families, the Bureau promotes measures such as developing consultation/medical care systems for addiction and raising public awareness, etc. Enhancement of various measures for persons with disabilities The Bureau aims to realize a society in which persons with disabilities can live with a sense of security in their communities. The Bureau is working on system reform by promoting the provision of welfare services for persons with disabilities such as in-home long-term care and employment support, etc. and psychiatric care. Realizing a society where no one is driven to suicide While the number of people who have taken their lives is decreasing, suicide rate is still at a higher level than other major countries. Suicide is a death to which many have [White paper on suicide prevention] been driven and is a social issue that can be prevented. The Bureau is working to prevent suicides by social support. Consolation of the war dead and relief for their bereaved families The Bureau is working to resolve many issues remaining from the war, including relief for their bereaved families of the war dead and, wounded/sick retired soldiers, memorial services for the war dead such as recovering the remains of the war dead, support for the Japanese who were left behind in China, and ending the remaining military duties of the former Japanese Army-Navy, etc. Housing support Housing has an important role as a basis for nurturing family and living while maintaining community ties. When the elderly, and people having difficulties making a living, secure housing, however, there are various issues such as inability to pay the rent or secure a guarantor, and thus welfare support is necessary. Therefore, the Bureau is making unified efforts in securing necessary housing in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism while avoiding a vertical division between housing administration and welfare administration. Continued support after leaving the hospital In July 06, there was a case in which many people were killed/injured at a support facility for persons with disabilities in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare immediately organized a team to examine the case from various viewpoints in cooperation with experts and relevant ministries and agencies. As a result of examining the case, one of the challenges raised concerning mental health was to develop an environment in which patients involuntarily committed to a mental hospital due to mental disorders can receive sufficient medical and welfare support, etc. even after leaving the hospital. At present, the Bureau promotes the development of a mechanism in which local governments, medical institutions, and providers of welfare services for persons with disabilities, etc. cooperate in providing continued support to enable those involuntarily committed to a mental hospital can live without being isolated and with a sense of security in their communities after leaving the hospital. Consolation and recovering the remains of the war dead and relief for their bereaved families Approximately. million people died in the World Wars. Among them, approximately.4 million people died overseas, and approximately 0.6 million remains of them are unrecovered. It is the national responsibility to recover the remains of the war dead. While bereaved families of the war dead are aging, focused efforts are therefore being made so that as many remains as possible can be returned to Japan at the earliest possible date. The government holds a Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead annually on August 5, which is attended by the Emperor and Empress, to console the souls of the dead from the World Wars. In order to hand down memories of World Wars to the next generation, the Bureau has been training storytellers of younger generations among other measures. 9 0

12 Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly Aiming at long-term care insurance system that enable living with a sense of security While Japan is about to experience an unprecedented super aging society, the Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly promotes long-term care/welfare measures for the elderly, including long-term care insurance system, and to ensure that elderly people can continue to live in the communities they have lived in for a long time. Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly Operating long-term care insurance systems The Bureau establishes various services of long-term care insurance systems such as home helpers and day services, and ensures service quality by establishing the criteria for using them safely. Determination of long-term care fees The long-term care fees that determine the fees for long-term care insurance services are revised basically once every three years. At present, discussions are being made at the Council towards the revision of the long-term care fees in FY08. Cooperation with insurers (municipalities) Municipalities are the insurers of the long-term care insurance system, and the insurance premiums vary depending on the insurer. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare formulates the guidelines, and the respective municipalities make service development plans for three years as one term. Promotion of preventive long-term care In order to enable the elderly to live by themselves using or without using long-term care insurance system, the Bureau promotes preventive long-term care/ independence support by disseminating successful cases, etc. nationwide. Prevention of elderly abuse Elderly abuse must be prevented to enable the elderly to continue to live a life with a sense of security. The Bureau is working to prevent elderly abuse through disseminating the cases of advanced efforts for early detection, etc. Aiming at no one forced to leave their jobs for long-term care No one forced to leave their jobs for long-term care, which comprises one of the new three arrows of Abenomics, is a policy that aims to eliminate those leaving their jobs for the reason of engaging in long-term care for their parents, etc., and the Bureau has to date been promoting the development of long-term care facilities and an environment in which workers can easily take family care leaves, etc. Additionally, the Japan s Plan for Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens was decided by the Cabinet in June 06, which also improves treatment of long-term care professionals. In addition to the measures taken to date, a mechanism for career development of long-term care professionals was commenced in FY07, and the long-term care fees were temporarily revised to make improvements in their treatment worth 0,000 yen per month. Holding Nenrinpics National Health and Welfare Festival (nickname: Nenrinpic) is a multifaceted event on health and welfare, including sports and cultural exchange games. It has been held annually since988, hosted by the Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly and local prefectures. It was held in Nagasaki Prefecture in 06, and the 50th game is scheduled to be held in Akita Prefecture in 07. Utilization of robots/ict in the field of long-term care Securing skilled workers who will lead the field of long-term care has been a challenge. The Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly supports introduction of nursing-care robots and utilization of ICT. Nursing-care robots are expected to improve the quality of long-term care and reduce physical burdens of those engaged in long-term care, and the Bureau supports introduction nursing-care robots that can support such areas as transferring and excretion, etc. In addition, from the point of view of reducing the burdens at work sites without degrading the quality of long-term care, the Bureau supports the utilization of ICT in creating/retaining long-term care records, etc. as it is considered to reduce the time required for indirect work. Creation of a society in which people can live with dementia In Japan, it is predicted that approximately one in every five elderly people aged 65 or older (approximately 7 million people) will suffer from dementia in 05. Today anyone may be concerned with dementia, and developing an environment in which people with dementia can live a better life is necessary. In January 06, a strategy of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare was promoted as the national strategy, and relevant governments and ministries cooperated to formulate the New Orange Plan, a comprehensive strategy of dementia measures. The Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly is working to develop an environment in which people with dementia and their families can comfortably live through such measures as increasing the number of dementia supporters who support people with dementia and their families, as well as promoting dementia cafes where people can exchange information and gain mutual understanding. Position of Japan s long-term care insurance in the world The long-term care insurance system of Japan, which is becoming an unprecedented aging society unlike any other in the world, is attracting global attention. The Bureau participates in international events, including Japan-Korea-China Seminar on Aging and Japan-Germany Symposium on Aging, etc., to introduce the long-term care insurance system and conducts briefings on Japan s long-term care insurance system to officers of foreign administrative agencies visiting Japan.

13 Health Insurance Bureau Protecting the universal health insurance system and handing over a sense of security in our daily life to the next generation Under the universal health insurance system, anyone can receive medical care he/she needs anytime at any medical institution through the use of an insurance certificate. In order to enhance sustainability and improve this world-acclaimed system and hand it down to future generations, the Health Insurance Bureau promotes various efforts. Health Insurance Bureau Employees' insurance The Bureau is responsible for planning and designing, etc. of the employees' insurance, which corporate employees subscribe to, such as Japan Health Insurance Association-managed health insurance and society-managed Health Insurance. National health insurance The Bureau is responsible for planning and designing, etc. of the national health insurance, which people not subscribing to employees' insurance such as self-employed persons and those engaged in agriculture subscribe to. Late-stage medical care system for the elderly The Bureau is responsible for planning and designing, etc. of the late-stage medical care system for the elderly, which the elderly aged 75 or older, etc. subscribe to. Medical fees/prices of drugs, etc. The Bureau is responsible for planning and designing, etc. of the medical fees, which are the remunerations that health insurance-covered medical institutions and health insurance-covered pharmacies receive for insurance-covered medical services provided, and the prices of drugs/medical devices, etc. Data health/optimizing medical expenditure The Bureau collects medical big data, promotes analysis-based disease prevention/health promotion, and promotes measures to optimize medical expenditure, etc. Medical and long-term care integration The Bureau promotes measures to strengthen medical and long-term care integration, etc. to ensure the provision of comprehensive medical and long-term care in communities. Enhancing sustainability of health insurance systems to protect a sense of security in our daily life In Japan, everyone subscribes to one of the public health insurance systems. Japan has achieved the world s highest level of average life expectancy and health/medical standards through public health insurance systems. In recent years, however, the medical expenditure has been increasing due to the progressive aging of the population, etc., and enhancing sustainability of health insurance systems has been an important challenge. For this reason, drastic reforms of the national health insurance, which forms the basis of universal health insurance systems was carried out in 05. From FY08, prefectures will play central roles in ensuring stable fiscal administration and efficient business operation, etc. In addition, from the point of view of promoting a fair balance in burdens between and within generations and requiring the burdens to be according to the bearing capacity, benefits and burdens of the systems are also revised. Through these reforms, the world-acclaimed universal health insurance systems and a sense of security in our daily life are protected. Fundamental reform of the prescription drug price system In recent years, innovative and high-priced drugs with significant market size have been developed. While these drugs stand as a shining light for those suffering from serious diseases, impacts on the national burden and health insurance finances are becoming a concern, and the need for the reform of the prescription drug price system is being pointed out. The Basic for Fundamental Reform of the Prescription Drug Price System was therefore decided on at the end of last year. Based on this, the Bureau promotes discussions towards fundamental reforms to ensure a good balance between sustainability of the universal health insurance systems and promotion of innovations and realization of reduction of national burden and improvement of medical care quality. Towards realizing improved medical care by the medical fee revision The medical fees are the remunerations that health insurance-covered medical institutions and health insurance-covered pharmacies receive for insurance-covered medical services provided. The points are set for each medical treatment, and one point unit is calculated as 0 yen. You must have seen the description of first visit/re-visit fee xx points on the receipt you received from a hospital. The medical fees are determined once every two years by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare taking into consideration the discussions at the Central Social Insurance Medical Council, which is the process that actually determines the direction of medical care. The FY06 medical fee revision focused on the establishment of integrated community care systems and effective, efficient and high-quality medical care systems. FY08 is the year of revising the medical fees and nursing care fees at the same time, which occurs once every six years. With an eye to FY05 when baby boomers will be 75 and older, discussions on the ideal medical care to be aimed at are taking place on a daily basis. [Central Social Insurance Medical Council attracting attention] Promoting disease prevention/health promotion to optimize medical expenditure While the medical expenditure is increasing due to the progressive aging of the population, etc., how to promote the optimization of medical expenditures is important for enhancing sustainability of health insurance systems. From this point of view, the private sector led the establishment of the Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Conference) and has been promoting efforts to extended healthy life expectancy and optimize medical expenditures. The government promotes efforts for disease prevention/ health promotion by formulating the Program for Preventing Aggravation of Diabetic Nephropathy and promoting the effort nationwide in cooperation between the administration and relevant medical professionals, enhancing the incentive systems to facilitate voluntary disease prevention/health promotion efforts of the respective medical insurers and individuals, and holding the Data Health and Prevention Service Fair as a place of connecting business operators that provide health and prevention services with the insurers, etc. to promote their collaboration/cooperation, etc. Data Health and Prevention Service Fair 06 [The venue crowded with many people] Data health reform With the data health reform, medical/long-term care-related data such as receipts and health checkup information, etc. are collected/analyzed and the results are utilized in disease prevention/health promotion, etc. Through this reform, the Bureau aims to efficiently provide sustainable and high-quality medical services and to strengthen the functions of medical insurers. The Bureau therefore promotes the creation of big data of medical/long-term care information, etc. by linking medical/long-term care databases, etc. as well as discussions towards the establishment of the data platform that will be the basis for data utilization. 4

14 Pension Bureau Pension can help you in case anything happens! Pension is the main pillar in people s post-retirement life. While the declining birthrate and aging population is rapidly progressing, the Pension Bureau is working to establish a pension system that is sustainable in the future and in which people can have a sense of security and smoothly provide pension benefits, etc. in cooperation with the Japan Pension Service. Pension Bureau Public pension Public pension is a system for intergenerational support to appropriate insurance premiums paid by working generations to the payment of pension benefits to the elderly. In addition, pension benefits are also provided when a person is disabled by a traffic accident, etc., or the main breadwinner of the family dies, pension benefits are paid to the person concerned or the bereaved family. Private pension Private pension is a system to support voluntary efforts of enterprises and individuals to enable people to live more comfortable post-retirement lives in combination with the public pension. Typical private pension includes defined-benefit pension plan and defined contribution pension plan. Operation of pension reserves The pension reserve of approximately 40 trillion yen is an important financial resource for future pension benefits. The operation of the pension reserve is safely and efficiently carried out by the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF). Operation of public pension In order to operate the public pension system that is trusted by the people, the Bureau carries out the actual management work such as providing pensions, maintaining records, and collecting premiums, etc. in cooperation with the Japan Pension Service. As a support for lives in the senior years At present, pension benefits of over 50 trillion yen are paid to approximately 40 million people annually. In addition, the pension benefits cover approximately 70% of the income of elderly households, and thus the public pension system has been essential in people s lives. In FY06, the Bureau made efforts to respond to the urgent issue of people having no pension benefits and worked on reforms to ensure the benefit level for future generations by enhancing sustainability of the pension system. The Bureau will continue to work tirelessly on reforms toward the establishment of a pension system that is trusted by all people. As a support for workers globally playing active roles Operation of the public pension system that is trusted by the people In order to gain trust in the pension system, not only accurate management of pension records of each and every person, but also close pension administration to enable appropriate payment of pension premiums and reliable payment of pension benefits is important. In addition, the Bureau also makes focused efforts in raising people s understanding/interest in the pension system by holding an award ceremony for Pension and I essays annually and utilizing the mascot of Nenkin Taro, etc. The Bureau will continue to work on proper pension administration and promotion of better understanding on the pension systems in cooperation with Japan Pension Service. ideco From January 07, basically everyone can subscribe to ideco (personal defined contribution pension plan). ideco is a system in which individual subscribers contribute/operate premiums and is expected to further ensure income in the senior years by combining with public pension. Social security agreements With the progress of globalization, the number of Japanese working overseas, and foreign nationals visiting Japan from overseas to work, is increasing. In order to prevent them from paying pension contributions in both Japan and foreign countries, the Bureau is promoting the conclusion of social security agreements. With the progress of globalization and the increase of economic activities across borders, there is a growing need to resolve the issue of double payment of pension contributions in both Japan and foreign countries. For this reason, Japan has concluded agreements with 6 countries to date, mainly the United States and European countries. With the recent development of greater economic relationships between Japan and emerging countries, Japan also signed an agreement with the Philippines and is also negotiating with China, etc. for the conclusion of agreements to address those issues. 5 6

15 Director-General for Planning and Evaluation (Social Security Section) Aiming at a social security system for all generations Director-General for Planning and Evaluation (Labour Section) Thinking of the future of work Our Mission The Director-General for Planning and Evaluation (Social Security Section) is working on planning and designing of comprehensive and basic policies and promotion of reforms related to the declining birthrate and aging population as a control center of social security policies within the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Our Mission The Director-General for Planning and Evaluation (labour section) is working on examining a variety of issues related to work from a long-term point of view and making economic analyses. Promotion of social security reforms The social security systems of Japan have enabled anyone to receive appropriate medical and long-term care through realization of a universal health insurance system and establishment of a system to provide it. These systems have also enabled Japan to enjoy the highest life expectancy in the world and supported economic growth. While the declining birthrate continues and the aging population progresses, we must make the social security system sustainable and hand it down to the next generation. The Director-General will therefore make efforts to promote social security reforms to ensure a fair balance in burdens between and within generations to maintain a social security system for all generations so that all generations can have a sense of security and satisfaction. Promoting understanding of the system Obtaining people s understanding of various systems, including the social security system, is important for the creation of a sustainable social security system. In addition, in order to firmly hand down the social security system to the next generation, it is very important that younger generations who will lead the future society correctly understand the significance of social security and consider it with a sense of ownership. The Bureau therefore broadly introduces the health, labour, and welfare administration by publishing the Annual Health, Labour and Welfare Report and promotes the development of an environment in which social security education is correctly conducted at educational sites by utilizing various opportunities. [Video teaching material on social security education] From the medium- to long-term point of view As typified by the words sustainable social security system, social security systems need to be designed from the mediumto long-term point of view. Therefore, the Bureau makes future population and expenditure projections and provides information that will be the basis for the respective system designs. In addition, while the environment surrounding medical care that is undergoing a drastic change with the rapid progress in the declining birthrate and aging population and advanced medical technologies, etc., meetings of the Advisory Panel under the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare have been held to present the health and medical care visions with an eye to 05 aimed at promoting people s health, ensuring the sustainability of health and medical care systems, internationally contributing in the fields of health and medical care, and discussing strategic measures in the field of community development, etc. Promotion of working style reforms In order to realize a society in which all people can play active roles with a decreasing population, the roles of the labour policies are becoming more and more important. The most important key to realize dynamic engagement of all citizens is working style reforms. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is the central ministry of working style reforms such as improvement of treatment of non-regular workers, including equal pay for equal work, correction of constant, long working hours, promotion of employment of the elderly, and improvement of labour productivity, etc. The Director-General (Labour Section) plays the role of a control center for planning/designing of policies within the Ministry and promotion of reforms. In addition, the Director-General is working on growth strategies and regulatory reforms for sustainable economic growth, and medium- to long-term discussions on responding to various challenges surrounding working styles associated with technological innovations such as AI, etc. [Council for the Realization of Work Style Reform at the office of the Prime Minister] The think tank of labour economy analysis The White Paper on the Labour Economy, which utilizes statistical data on the current situations and issues of work, including employment, wages, and working hours, to make economic analyses, has been published annually. The 06 edition analyzes the current situations of labour productivity, the return of improved labour productivity in terms of wages/employment, and issues and measures towards improving labour productivity under the title Challenges in Realizing a Society in Which All People Can Play Active Roles and Improving Labour Productivity based on the understanding that improving labour productivity and developing an environment in which those willing can play active roles through employment, etc. is important for overcoming supply constraints due to the declining birthrate and aging population. Is this allowed? - Cartoon Q&A on understanding and utilizing labour laws - The Director-General prepares pamphlets to enable readers to easily acquire basic knowledge on different labour laws prescribed for work and makes them known to students expecting to be employed, etc. [Cartoon labour laws] [White Paper on the Labour Economy] 7 8

16 Director-General for Statistics and Information Maintenance and improvement of statistics and information-oriented systems that support health, labour, and welfare administration and promotion of ICT utilization in the fields of medical care, etc. Minister s Secretariat The helm of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Our Mission Improvement of Statistics to support the health, labour and welfare administration The planning and drafting of policies of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires accurate identification of circumstances concerning vital events, households, medical care, social welfare, employment of workers, wages, and working hours. The Director-General for Statistics and Information therefore plays a central role in managing statistical issues in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Moreover, it is working to make international comparison of statistical data and manage international statistical classifications in cooperation with international organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization), the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), etc. Establishment of Next Generation Health Care System through utilization of ICT While the declining birthrate and aging population are progressing at unprecedented speed, efficiently providing high-quality health/medical/long-term care services to extend healthy life expectancy has been an unprecedented issue. Resolving this issue requires full utilization of ICT to realize collection/analysis of health/medical/long-term care data, acceleration of individual health promotion and disease prevention, provision of high-quality medical care in communities, development of new treatment and drugs, and provision of long-term care leading to independence of the elderly, etc. In order to steadily realize the above, the Director-General has been working on the establishment of Next Generation Health Care System utilizing ICT by organically linking large scale health/medical/long-term care data and putting into operation Health Care Data Platform that can be used by industry, government and academia in FY00, etc. 9 The Director-General for Statistics and Information implements key statistical surveys on vital events, employment, and medical care, etc. that form the basis of the health, labour, and welfare administration. In addition, as a control center for information policies, it also promotes ICT utilization in the fields of medical care, etc. and informatization of the health, labour, and welfare administration, and works on strengthening cyber security. Establishment of user-friendly safe and secure information system ICT utilization by administrations is essential nowadays in improving people s convenience, in providing information promptly, and in making administrative work more efficient. The Director-General for Statistics and Information is thus responsible for the establishment/operation of the information system which people use to make various applications, etc. over the internet, and the websites of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which provides various information to people. It also works on protecting people s information and maintaining/ continuing safe and secure administrative services by taking appropriate and prompt measures against cyberattacks. ICD- Revision Conference WHO is currently carrying out on a drastic review of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) towards its eleventh revision. In October 06, the ICD- Revision Conference was held in Tokyo, in which delegates of the health ministries of WHO Member States were invited to participate. ICD has an important role as a mechanism for comprehending medical information systematically through vital statistics (cause of death statistics), patient statistics, and medical fee receipts and medical records of hospitals/clinics, etc. Health Sciences Division Our Mission Promotion of science research in the areas of health, labour and welfare The Division promotes research in the fields of health and medical care, welfare, pharmaceutical affairs, food sanitation, industrial safety and health, and risk management, and thereby contributes to the practical application of new technologies and the implementation of administration based on scientific evidence. Health risk management, and measures against disasters The global spread of serious infectious diseases and natural disasters due to earthquakes, heavy rains, and volcanic eruptions, etc. has been occurring. The Health Sciences Division has been coordinating initial responses to these emergencies in order to prevent health hazards and to secure medical care and drinking water, etc. Utilization of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the fields of health and medical care AI is receiving intensive media coverage today. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare also considers that artificial intelligence can bring significant innovations in health and medical care. With AI, new values that have not existed before are expected to be created such as services that can closely respond to the needs of individual patients/people and improved productivity, etc. Towards realizing a society in which all patients/people can benefit from the advantages of utilizing AI, the Division identifies the issues and discusses measures appropriate for the next generation of health and medical care. Responding to natural disasters Responding to natural disasters has been one of the important pillars of the measures of the Ministry of Health, For helping to ensure people s health and safety, the Health Sciences Division is responsible for promoting medical and public health research and coordinating responses to public health emergencies of unknown causes and natural disasters. The Division is also working to realize the world s highest level medical care and a healthy longevity society. Labour and Welfare for ensuring people s health and stable life. There are many areas in which initial responses are required in the fields of health, labour and welfare such as ensuring the medical care system and providing support for those in need of welfare services, etc. immediately after the occurrence of natural disasters. The areas requiring rapid response also include emergency restoration work when the water supply is cut off. Furthermore, support in the fields of employment/labour is also essential for stable life. 06 has been a year with a large number of natural disasters when compared to other recent years, including the Kumamoto Earthquake and typhoon No. 0, etc. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare provides support in these fields for people at disaster sites to help prompt recovery/ restoration. Vice-Minister for Medical Affairs Recent advancements in health and medical technologies have been remarkable, and technological innovations such as human genome analysis and AI, etc. are entering a stage where they can be applied to measures in the broad range of fields within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In addition, in the field of internal health, the need for unified measures based on medical knowledge is increasing for responding to public health risks such as the epidemic of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, etc. and promoting cross-border measures for an aging society, etc. In order to address this situation, a bill to newly establish a Vice-Minister for Medical Affairs, as a position equivalent to the level of Vice-Minister, who will collectively coordinate the affairs under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare based on medical knowledge. 0

17 International Affairs Division Our Mission While the flow of people and enterprise activities across the borders due to globalization is increasing, international issues such as the threat of infectious diseases and issues of working environments in developing countries, etc. are increasing. The International Affairs Division is working on these international issues in cooperation with international organizations and foreign countries. General Coordination Division Minister s Secretariat Participation in international organizations The Division is contributing to discussions concerning measures against infectious diseases such as Ebola virus disease, ensuring decent work and international labour standards, and analyzing health and labour policies through the WHO (World Health Organization), the ILO (International Labour Organization) and OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), [International Labour Conference] etc. Promotion of economic partnership The Division is working on the promotion of economic partnership in the fields of drugs/medical devices, food sanitation, and labour, etc. through the frameworks of FTA/EPA and measures concerning smooth acceptance of nurse/care worker candidates based on EPA, etc. [Briefing for Indonesian nurse/care worker candidates scheduled to come to Japan (who are wishing to work)] Contribution to issues in the field of global health The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare contributes to international society through the sharing of Japanese knowledge and provision of financial and human resource support to address issues in the field of global health such as () establishment of a system by which all countries in the world collectively respond to public health risks such as Ebola virus disease; () achievement of universal health coverage* to ensure access to basic health services by all people; and () measures for AMR (antimicrobial resistance) for which antibiotics are not effective, among others. * Universal health coverage: A concept referring to the situation where everyone in the world can receive basic health services whenever necessary throughout his/her life at an affordable cost. The achievement of this concept is included as a part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted at the UN Summit in 05. [G7 Kobe Health Ministers Meeting] Promotion of decent work With the progress of globalization, developing labour environments that comply with international standards has become an important issue for all countries today. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare contributes to the realization of decent work* in developing countries by providing technical support, etc. that contributes to improving occupational safety and health levels and resolving labor-management disputes by making contributions to support projects implemented by the ILO. * Decent work: The concept referring to work worth doing with human dignity. It has been regarded as the main goal of ILO activities since its first appearance in the Report of the Director-General submitted at the International Labour Conference in 999. As a control center for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the General Coordination Division overlooks the overall affairs of the Ministry and is responsible for appropriately reviewing the situations of the departments and bureaus and carrying out general coordination of all cases. The Division is also responsible for contact and coordination with the Diet and the respective ministries and agencies in Kasumigaseki. Moreover, the Division examines whether laws and regulations on which administrative activities are based are consistent with measures taken by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and whether the rules of laws and regulations are followed. Personnel Division The Personnel Division appropriately conducts personnel management, taking requests for future career and family environments of individual employees into consideration with the aim of building an environment in which they can work with ease. In particular, improving work-life balance of employees is considered important and efforts are being made such that parliamentary secretaries, including the Minister, directly call the superiors of employees who have newborn children to let the subordinates take child care leaves, etc. In addition, the Division is working to improve employees abilities by conducting training at the sites of health centers, welfare offices, and Labour Bureaus, etc. for those of a younger age. Promotion of policy coordination The Division promotes policy coordination with foreign countries through frameworks such as G7, G0, ASEAN+ (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with Japan, China, and Korea), etc. Technical support for developing countries In order to support human resource development and system establishment, etc. in developing countries, the Division dispatches officials of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to technical cooperation programs implemented by JICA, holds policy cooperation dialogues [ILO contribution projects (workshop for the socially vulnerable to start businesses)] with high-level government officials of ASEAN countries, and contributes to support projects implemented by the ILO, etc. Collection of overseas information The Division collects information on overseas systems and advanced efforts. In addition, information on Japanese policies is provided to foreigners living in Japan, overseas government officials, and researchers, etc. through the English website, etc. CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation) At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (commonly known as Davos Meeting) in January 07, the governments of Japan, Norway, and Germany and philanthropic foundation headed by Bill Gates, etc. cooperated in launching a framework CEPI* to provide support for the development of vaccines for infectious diseases in cooperation between public and private sectors. This effort aims at strongly promoting the development of vaccines before epidemics begins in light of the lessons learned from past cases where the spread of disease could not be prevented because the vaccines were not developed quickly enough at the time of the outbreak of Ebola virus disease, etc. Japan actively participates in the governance of CEPI to strengthen global preparation against the outbreak of infectious diseases. * Abbreviation for Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation. [Conference between the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare SHIOZAKI and Bill Gates (at Davos Meeting in January 07)] [Support for occupational safety and health training for government officials (engineers) to handle debris and landslides caused by the Nepal earthquake] FTA/EPA Japan has been conducting various FTA/EPA negotiations, and the fields of health, labour and welfare have also been important points at issue. For example, Japan concluded agreements with the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam to accept nurse/care worker candidates. The number of persons entering Japan with this system is increasing, and Japan has accepted nearly 4,000 persons to date. At present, educational support and consultation support for employment/living, etc. are provided. It is expected that nurse/care worker candidates will continue to be smoothly accepted, leading to strengthening of cooperation in economic activities of both countries. Accounts Division The Accounts Division is responsible for the coordination of budgets for the entire Ministry exceeding 0 trillion yen in budget requests made during the summer and budget compilations at the end of the year. In addition, the Division is also responsible for settlement of accounts, audits, public procurements, management of administrative properties and government buildings, and welfare benefits of government employees, etc. Regional Bureau Administration Division [MHLW 5 go-kan nursery room (nickname: Fuku-Ro meaning owl )] As the front-line organizations for the health, labour, and welfare administration in regions, the Regional Bureau Administration Division provides comprehensive supervision and personnel/budgetary support to enable Regional Offices of Health and Welfare and Prefectural Labour Bureaus to fully display their abilities.