On July 14 and 15, in order to strengthen international collaboration in the healthcare field in Kanagawa Prefecture, we visited the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO), the Philippine Department of Health, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, and a Japanese-affiliated nursing care facility in Manila, Philippines with the members of Kanagawa Prefecture.

     At WPRO and the Philippine Department of Health, Dr. Tei, the dean, first introduced the overview of our school, the ME-BYO index which was developed by our school, and the activities of the WHO Collaborating Center for Health Ageing and Innovation designated in March. Then, Dr. Kubota, Jr. Associate Professor, gave a presentation on oral frailty (deterioration of oral health). This was followed by a discussion, during which we reaffirmed the importance of collaboration with the Philippines in the field of ageing in Kanagawa Prefecture.

     At the Philippine-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, board members explained the business activities by Japanese companies operating in the Philippines, and discussions were held on future collaboration between Japan and the Philippines. 

     At a Japanese-affiliated care facility, the CEO provided the overview of the current state of nursing care in the Philippines and efforts to cultivate personnel development in nursing field, followed by a facility tour. 

     At the embassy of Japan in the Philippines, we exchanged information on healthcare, socioeconomics, and social security situations in the Philippines.

     Based on this visit, our school will continue to advance international collaboration.