Japan Association for
Development of
Community Medicine

President
Michiyasu Yoshiara

I have been appointed Chairman of the Japan Association for the Advancement of Community Healthcare, a public interest incorporated association. It is an honor beyond compare, and with the support of our members, related local governments, and local residents, I intend to dedicate myself to this role to the best of my ability. I appreciate your continued support.

It has been 39 years since the founding of the Japan Association for the Advancement of Community Healthcare, a public interest incorporated association with the goal of "ensuring medical care in Japan's remote areas and improving its quality." We have experienced several significant milestones along the way. These include the founding of Hakuasha, separation from the alumni association, and approval of the association by the Ministers of Health, Labor and Welfare and Home Affairs. The acquisition of Ishioka Daiichi Hospital, the contract for Tokyo Kita Social Insurance Hospital, and the subsequent acquisition of the hospital all recalled as major and important milestones. I am grateful for the support of so many people who helped me overcome difficult times during this time. Of course, there have also been many enjoyable moments. Each time I overcome a new horizon, the state of remote area medical care, and my operational direction emerge. Such dynamic times have continued. Of course, not everything has gone smoothly. I made numerous mistakes due to my inexperience, causing inconvenience to many people. While I regret taking on the role of chairman with so many issues still unresolved, I intend to change my position and be of even greater service than ever before.

Looking back, when the association was founded, there was a serious shortage of doctors and medical professionals everywhere. However, it was also a time when there was still a sense of vitality in rural areas.

We had just completed our mandatory years at Jichi Medical University and were full of enthusiasm to see if we could continue to contribute to Japan's regional medical care after our mandatory years, so we joined forces to tackle the challenges, not wanting to miss the opportunity.

During this time, we also began operating facilities such as Ishioka Daiichi Hospital and Rokugo Onsen Medical Center. Since then, many hospitals have been reevaluated, resulting in downsizing, closure, and consolidation, including the consolidation and closure of national hospitals and sanatoriums, the closure of industrial accident hospitals, and a review of the corporate outsourcing of social insurance hospitals. By taking charge of post-consolidation medical care, we were able to secure a base, and the suggestions of our new staff members were extremely helpful. Operating a variety of facilities across the country allows us to provide training, dispatch doctors, provide short-term substitute care, hold conferences, hold workshops, organize exchange programs, and collaborate with backup hospitals and clinics, and we are now building a solid network to support remote areas.

Unfortunately, however, our ability to secure not only doctors but also important paramedical personnel such as nurses and pharmacists is far from ideal. We therefore need to consider bold mechanisms to address this uneven distribution and develop a unique personnel recruitment system unique to our association.

We face challenging times ahead, with a declining population and an aging population. We have no choice but to accept a declining population. The reality in rural areas is more serious than expected. Even when visiting familiar places, it is rare to find the familiar scenery you imagine. When you visit, the reality is that the situation on the ground is harsh and desolate.

The Japan Association for the Promotion of Community Healthcare, a public interest incorporated association, is committed to working together to further contribute to ensuring and improving the quality of medical care in remote areas. We appreciate your support and cooperation.

Japan Association for
Development of
Community Medicine

Chairman,the Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer
Yasushi Fujirai

Since its founding, the Japan Association for Development of Community Medicine, a public interest incorporated association, has been promoting community-based medical care with the goal of "ensuring and improving the quality of community medical care in Japan." As the population ages and declines, building a sustainable medical system is an urgent priority, especially in areas with limited medical resources. Our association works in a wide range of fields, from collaborating with local governments to recruiting and training medical professionals such as doctors and nurses, supporting the operation of medical institutions, and promoting the health of local residents.

In recent years, the environment surrounding community medical care has been undergoing major changes, including emerging infectious diseases and natural disasters. To address these challenges, we are actively promoting new initiatives, such as utilizing ICT and establishing comprehensive care systems through multidisciplinary collaboration. We are also committed to developing the medical professionals of the future, and are committed to providing training opportunities for young doctors interested in remote area medical care.

We will continue to work to create a future where communities across Japan, the people who live there, and healthcare professionals involved in healthcare can all enjoy happiness, and with "community healthcare" as our keyword, we will strive to be a place where all stakeholders can connect.

We would like to express our gratitude to all those involved, including government agencies, prefectures and municipalities, and Jichi Medical University, who have provided us with guidance and cooperation in running our association, and we sincerely ask for your continued understanding and support.