７．Facing an Age of Globalization

(1) Overall Situation

　With the 21st century just around the corner, an international exchange is progressing even more rapidly, bringing a borderless economy and society. Accompanying this are new issues to grapple with on a global scale, and a growing importance of international cooperation with an emphasis on humankind as a whole.


(2) Issues in the Future

Measures for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases

• With the advance of medicine in recent years, it appeared as if many infectious diseases had　been defeated. Since the emergence of AIDS in the 1980s and against a background of increased international relations, however, infectious diseases which had not existed and endemic diseases which had become extremely localized if in existence, have been crossing national borders and become a new or renewed issue with a good deal of attention. Also, infectious diseases already well known, such as malaria, have broken out repeatedly in various regions in the world, and there is worldwide awareness that such diseases cannot be neglected. There is thus a demand for increased international health and medical care cooperation in the infectious diseases field. Alongside this, the strengthening of the information collecting system and increased surveillance activities relating to infectious diseases, improved emergency plans, and promotion of human resource development and survey/research work are being called for.

• In the borderless world which has emerged in recent years, an international crisis management system, one which goes beyond national borders, is also essential for the handling of such problems as the outbreak of infectious disease, side-effects of pharmaceuticals, and food poisoning on a global scale. It is vital, in this respect, to share information on infectious diseases pharmaceuticals, and food poisoning internationally while constructing a closely-integrated international network in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.

Waste Recycling

• Today's environmental issues, especially global environmental problems, are being caused by growing human activities. It is important that individuals and businesses deal with these issues after realizing and understanding the connection between environment and human living. It is critical to effectively use natural resources which are limited on the planet and reduce the stress on the environment. It is from this viewpoint that the recycling of waste is being promoted. In Japan, recycling of waste prevailed in the 1990s. In 1995, a law was enacted to promote recycling with the cooperation of consumers, businesses and municipalities, affecting containers and packaging for such items as soft drinks whose waste has grown year by year.
  

International Cooperation

• Developing countries make up the large majority of all the countries in the world. Famine and poverty in those countries are not possible to be overlooked from the viewpoint of humanity. These countries have a low standard of health due to such factors as being behind in establishing infrastructure for daily living and combating poverty, and insufficient medical care and hygiene management. This situation leads to an instability in society and hinders the development of the society and the economy.
  The international community expects Japan to play a large role in fighting these problems. Japan needs to give appropriate support to those countries requiring it. Japan should utilize its valuable experiences in helping them through financial cooperation, technical cooperation such as accepting trainees and dispatching specialists and through grassroots support by NGOs (non-governmental organizations). In so doing, we should give full consideration to empowering women's status and narrowing the gap between men and women.

International Harmonization

• Expansion of international trade and investment continues to progress toward an emerging borderless world, along with the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In Japan, it is necessary to make the social and economic system, both internally and externally, more transparent, fairer and more open, and to promote the systematic harmonization with the international community.
  Japan has been working towards international harmonization for the certification of standards for foods, pharmaceuticals and medical devices through various international frameworks. More specifically, such activities as information exchange on standards and guidelines, and preparation of international standards are being conducted with Japan's active participation. One example is the International Conference on the Harmonization of Technical Requirements for the Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use Among Japan, the US and the EU (ICH), which has been held since 1991. Such harmonization activities are expected to continue into the future.
  Also, to help solve pension problems accompanying labor mobility between nations (problems such as untotaled contributory periods in each country and double payments of premiums), Japan is working with the US and Germany for the conclusion of a pension totalization agreement.

Concerted Efforts in the Global Community

• Not only in Japan, but other countries as well, systems in the fields of health/medical care, welfare and income security are playing a large role in maintaining the health of the general public and their stability for livelihood. Japan has constructed such systems through the processes mentioned in this report, and has also reviewed them. Systems for such fields have been gradually constructed over recent years. In the future, developing countries may face the same problems in their industrialization and urbanization progress. Both as a model to be followed and lessons to be learned, Japan's experience may prove to be a useful resource to them. With this in mind, such concerted efforts in the global community, as this "Initiative for a Caring World" will prove to be increasingly important in the future.