Image Credits : Mainichi
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has announced a budget request of ¥34.3 trillion ($237 billion) for fiscal year 2025, marking a 1.4% increase from the previous year. This budget reflects the growing financial demands driven by Japan’s rapidly ageing population and the corresponding increase in social security costs.
This initiative includes promoting the adoption of electronic medical records across healthcare institutions, a move that the ministry believes is essential for improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery. The focus on digital health underscores Japan’s commitment to modernizing its healthcare infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of its ageing society.
The ministry is seeking ¥91.5 billion to address critical healthcare challenges, particularly the ongoing shortages of doctors in rural areas. The ministry’s proposal includes measures to enhance regional medical services, improve working conditions for healthcare professionals, and develop training programs that enable nurses to perform certain medical procedures independently. These efforts aim to bolster the healthcare workforce, which is increasingly under strain due to the country’s demographic shifts.
The ministry plans to promote flexible work arrangements, such as teleworking, and provide support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve workplace environments. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance work-life balance and ensure that workers are not forced to choose between their careers and caregiving duties.
The ministry’s budget request also includes provisions to address the economic challenges posed by rising prices and stagnant wages. Although the exact amount of funding for these measures has yet to be specified, the ministry’s broader strategy aims to promote wage increases and provide relief to households struggling with the rising cost of living.