#Japan #Tokyo #Yu Yasui #MDRT Japan #YAMATO Clinic

A Warm Perspective on Life’s Final Chapter

On April 24, 2026, Yu Yasui, the chairman of the medical corporation En, addressed attendees at the 56th MDRT Japan Conference held at Hiroshima Green Arena. The conference gathered about 5,000 members from across Japan under the theme "'Will' for You," allowing participants to reflect on their purpose in the financial service industry.

What is the MDRT?

Founded in 1927, the MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table) is a global association of top-tier insurance and financial service professionals operating in nearly 80 countries. Membership in MDRT stands as a recognized international standard of excellence, emphasizing rigorous ethics and exceptional client service.

The Importance of Facing Mortality

Yasui, who defines himself as a doctor creating a warm narrative for the final chapter of life, examined three aspects of death — first-person perspective (one's own death), second-person perspective (the death of family and friends), and third-person perspective (the death of others). He encouraged MDRT members to confront the warmth associated with second-person death, emphasizing the significance of personal connections.

Drawing from his own experience with grief—losing his father unexpectedly at the age of 17—Yasui opened up about the concept of "shouji" (how to live between life and death) gained during his involvement in international medical aid in Myanmar. These experiences led him to establish the YAMATO Clinic in Itabashi, Tokyo, in 2013, specializing in home healthcare. He emphasized breaking down barriers between healthcare providers, patients, and families so that they can actively participate in the narrative of their lives.

Yasui highlighted that, amid Japan's ongoing crisis of mortality, with over 1.6 million deaths occurring annually—double that of births—it is essential for society to reconsider how it engages with death and the time leading up to it. He advocated for transforming the eventuality of death into valuable moments for families and individuals.

Changing the Final Chapter into a Positive Experience

Drawing from his book, Ten Things You Can Do Before Losing Your Loved One, Yasui presented two key methods for transforming the final chapter of life into warm and meaningful moments:

1. The Power of Touch: Yasui articulated that physical interaction with a loved one's body can bridge emotional distances and foster a shared perspective. Citing medical research that supports the reduction of pain through skin-to-skin contact, he urged everyone to engage in communication through touch, saying, "No matter where, please place your hand on them."

2. Returning Home: Yasui did not focus solely on the goal of dying at home but emphasized the importance of returning, even if briefly, to familiar spaces to create moments that allow patients a sense of autonomy and connection with their families. This approach has proved effective; the rate of patients receiving care at home has increased from less than 10% to approximately 30% today.

The Role of MDRT Members

In conclusion, Yasui pointed out two notable roles MDRT members can take, given their unique relationship with death:

1. Supporting Families: Members in the life insurance field hold the potential to ease families’ burdens as they face health challenges. Yasui encouraged them to be proactive figures, suggesting simple actions like, "Why not return home for a moment?" or, "Consider a gentle touch?"

2. Communicating Essential Thoughts: In moments when a loved one is nearing death, feelings often go unspoken. Yasui suggested that members ask, "Do you have anything to tell your family?" This question can serve as a meaningful way to articulate unexpressed emotions and thoughts, ultimately providing comfort and support to those left behind.

In a world where death is a daily reality for so many, Yasui envisions a society where every passing leads to warm memories, bolstered by the support of those in the financial service industry. The speech culminated with a reminder that everyone in this field works within a profession that confronts mortality, empowering them to foster opportunities for connection and warmth in their work.

Related Literature

Yasui’s book, Ten Things You Can Do Before Losing Your Loved One, co-authored with illustrations by Taro Yabe, is set to be released on March 18, 2026. The book shares valuable insights from over 5,000 patient care experiences, providing families with information on navigating the emotional and logistical challenges posed by the approaching death of a loved one.

About Yu Yasui

Yu Yasui is the representative director of TEAM BLUE and the chairman of En Medical Corporation. His journey into medicine was spurred by the death of his father during his high school years. After graduating from the University of Tokyo in 2005, he engaged in international medical aid in Myanmar. In 2013, he founded the YAMATO Clinic and opened an additional facility known as "Homeward Bound Hospital" in 2021, focusing on enhancing the quality of end-of-life care.