Japan Leads the Way in Global Health Diplomacy: The Case of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

Daisuke Akimoto
Abstract:
This issue brief aims to investigate Japan’s policy toward “neglected tropical diseases” (NTDs) in light of Japan’s global health diplomacy. It confirms the significance of the so-called ‘Hashimoto Initiative’ as the origin of Japan’s global health diplomacy toward NTDs. This issue brief looks at the three cases of NTDs in Japan, i.e. dengue fever, Hansen’s disease, and lymphatic filariasis, and how Japan succeeded in controlling and eradicating the diseases domestically. It then examines the significance of the establishment of the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) in relation to Japan’s global health diplomacy. Finally, it explores the future scenario of Japan’s global health diplomacy to control and eradicate NTDs at the G7 Hiroshima Summit to be hosted by the Kishida administration in May 2023.
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