Philips at Japan's First International Healthcare Expo
Philips Japan (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Jasper Asuelas Westlink) made a notable appearance at the inaugural Japan Health Expo, held at Intex Osaka from June 25 to 27, 2025. The company organized a lunch seminar themed "Sustainability in Healthcare: Perspectives from Medical Institutions and Home Care," addressing various aspects of sustainable medical practices, including regional healthcare, home care, and disaster medical support.
The Philips Co-hosted Lunch Seminar
Sustainability in Healthcare: Perspectives from Medical Institutions and Home Care
On June 26, the lunch seminar took place within the conference venue of Japan Health. This event aimed to explore sustainable medical practices from the perspective of healthcare professionals. Three physicians presented their insights, focusing on clinic operations, home healthcare, and disaster response. The session was moderated by Okaki from Philips' Precision Diagnosis Business unit and Abe, head of Sleep & Respiratory Care, who introduced the session's purpose that aligned with Philips' vision of "Better care for more people."
Part One: Creating Sustainable Healthcare from Clinics - Insights from Helium-Free MRI Adoption
Speaker: Dr. Nobuo Kako (Director, Aichi Health Clinic)
Dr. Kako discussed the practical implementation of environmentally conscious medical equipment in a community-centered clinic serving about 60,000 residents in Tsushima, Aichi Prefecture. He introduced the Philips Helium-Free MRI,
MR 5300. Notably, it reduces helium usage from around 1,500 liters to just 7 liters, significantly lowering environmental impact. He also emphasized the machine's advantages in preserving functionality during natural disasters, ensuring continuity in healthcare. The seminar highlighted strategies for efficient medical resource management through partnerships with other facilities.
Part Two: The Current Status of Medically Fragile Children in Japan and Advances in Pediatric Care
Focusing on Home-Based Artificial Respiratory Therapy
Speaker: Dr. Hirotaka Maeda (Chairman, Harutaka Medical Foundation)
Dr. Maeda presented alarming statistics on the rising number of medically fragile children requiring ongoing healthcare. He discussed the necessity of home care and highlighted the challenges in legal frameworks surrounding these practices. The 2021 enacted "Medical Care Support Law for Medically Fragile Children" is a crucial message of support for pediatric healthcare providers. Dr. Maeda emphasized team care, family support in home healthcare, and benchmarked international examples, triggering discussions on sustainable healthcare frameworks.
Disaster Logistics to Support the Lives and Development of Medically Fragile Children
Speaker: Dr. Takeshi Toya (Director, Aozora Clinic Ueno)
Dr. Toya illuminated the harsh realities faced by medically fragile children reliant on respiratory support during disasters. He advocated for community-wide disaster support systems and the establishment of "medical evacuation shelters" and "disaster medical networks." He pointed out that solutions go beyond individual responses, reinforcing the importance of maintenance, information sharing, and collaboration across professions to boost disaster resilience and logistics.
The seminar underscored the important role blending on-the-ground knowledge and technology can play in addressing the environmental and societal challenges within healthcare. Moving forward, Philips is committed to supporting sustainable healthcare initiatives in collaboration with healthcare providers.
Follow-Up Seminar on Innovative Technologies for Addressing Workforce Shortages
On the same day, a seminar titled "Innovative Technologies to Bridge Workforce Shortages" gathered a diverse array of participants from government, private sector, academia, and international medical institutions. Leading the discussions was Jasper Asuelas Westlink, CEO of Philips Japan, and Masamichi Ooi, Director of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. They shared insights on addressing workforce shortages in health technology and presented various case studies utilizing advanced technologies for operational efficiency.
Philips showcased its global initiatives including eICU and AI-optimized diagnostic workflows, highlighting the necessity for multi-faceted approaches in tackling workforce shortages across different tiers of governance and systems. The discussions also targeted improving return on investment (ROI) in hospitals through enhanced workflows that reduce healthcare costs.
Panel Discussion on AI x Diagnosis at FUTURE HEALTH SUMMIT
On June 27, the exhibition culminated with a panel discussion titled "AI x Diagnosis" at the FUTURE HEALTH SUMMIT, bringing stakeholders together from various sectors, including Philips. The discussions revolved around the integration of AI technology within healthcare. The session featured insights from key figures including the director of Philips Japan's Precision Diagnosis business, emphasizing innovations that enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
The collective interactions indicated strong expectations for the co-evolution of healthcare with technology, showcasing a promising outlook for future medical practices.
Exhibition Information
In Philips' booth, visitors experienced innovations under the vision of "Better care for more people," showcasing advancements in three major areas: 1) Healthcare x Sustainability, 2) Optimization of Hospital Workflows, 3) Disaster Response Technologies. The opening day featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing strong international collaborations, attended by Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura and others.
For further details on the Japan Health Expo and Philips Japan, please visit Japan Health Online.