Editorial: Japan's new centralized disease control agency has heavy responsibility
This month, the government established the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS), a new national institution that will serve as a central hub for infectious disease research and treatment. It integrates two existing bodies -- the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, which oversaw advanced medical care, and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
By consolidating observations of disease outbreaks, pathogen analysis and patient treatment, the JIHS aims to increase information-gathering efficiency and bolster research capabilities. This centralized strategy should enable the institution to swiftly identify effective prevention and treatment methods for infectious diseases and incorporate them into national response measures.
The establishment of this new organization stems directly from reflections on Japan's COVID-19 response.
The primary goal of measures against infectious diseases is to contain outbreaks as much as possible to prevent a collapse of the medical system. Despite this fundamental objective, delays in conducting testing and arranging hospitalization contributed to widespread confusion during the recent pandemic. Furthermore, policymakers were slow to adapt their approaches in response to changes in patient numbers and virus mutations.
Responding to these issues, the government established the Cabinet Agency for Infectious Disease Crisis Management in 2023 to be a central command during emergencies. The JIHS will not only provide expert guidance to this agency, but will also assume a critical role in medical provision and personnel training.
During the coronavirus crisis, Japan notably fell behind Western nations in the rapid development of drugs and vaccines. To advance such initiatives, establishing networks of medical institutions capable of administering clinical trials is crucial. The JIHS is expected to take a leading role in creating and managing this infrastructure.
Additionally, effectively communicating scientific knowledge to the public in an easy-to-understand manner remains essential.
In balancing infection control measures with socioeconomic activities, the institution is expected to provide appropriate advice to the government to help shape effective policies. If misinformation spreads, the JIHS should step forward with direct and accurate communication to citizens. Even under normal conditions, the body should leverage various means, including social media, to consistently establish itself as a reliable information source.
With increased globalization, the risk that infections could swiftly spread worldwide has intensified. Against this backdrop, the decision by the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump to withdraw from the World Health Organization raised concerns about reduced global coordination capacity.
Japan has already accumulated significant experience in supporting health initiatives in developing countries. The JIHS should deepen relationships with international research institutions and lead efforts to further strengthen global cooperative frameworks.
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