One month since its launch, the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) has initiated a sweeping set of reforms to prevent and respond to the next major infectious disease crisis. Formed by merging Japan’s top infectious disease institutions, JIHS aims to deliver faster outbreak detection, scientific coordination, and transparent communication with the public.
COVID-19 exposed key weaknesses in Japan’s pandemic response—delays in coordination, slow public health messaging, and gaps in data collection. Now, JIHS is addressing those issues head-on by strengthening surveillance, standardizing emergency protocols, and expanding cooperation with hospitals and local governments.
“Experience with the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of preparedness,” said JIHS President Norihiro Kokudo. “We will be ready to respond immediately, no matter when the next pandemic comes.”
A key initiative now underway is a fixed-point survey on acute respiratory infections (ARI). Instead of tracking only known viruses like influenza, this system monitors cold-like symptoms such as cough and sore throat to flag unusual surges in illness, even before a pathogen is identified. The goal is early detection of emerging infectious threats.
The JIHS will also enhance its “first few hundred” studies—intensive investigations of the first patients exposed to new diseases. These studies will help determine infection routes, symptoms, severity, and how long patients should remain in isolation.
“During COVID, we lacked a centralized system for collecting clinical data,” said Norio Omagari, director of the JIHS infectious disease policy division. “Now, we’re working to build that infrastructure during ordinary times—not in a crisis.”
Unlike past systems, JIHS integrates both clinical care and research under one roof. This enables faster evaluation of new therapeutic drugs and vaccine candidates identified by researchers—shortening the time between discovery and patient use.
Japan fell behind the U.S. and Europe in COVID-19 vaccine and drug development. The unified JIHS structure aims to prevent that from happening again.
The JIHS will also focus on public education. Beginning this May, it will publish user-friendly updates on familiar diseases like influenza, measles, and whooping cough. This initiative is part of its commitment to building public trust before a future emergency strikes.
Experts agree that transparent communication is key. “Trust is earned before the crisis,” said Nobuhiko Okabe, former COVID-19 government advisor. “If we communicate well with the public now, they’ll listen when it matters most.”
Professor Izuru Makihara of the University of Tokyo emphasized the importance of daily coordination between the government and the JIHS to avoid mixed messaging in future crises. “They must clarify roles and maintain communication—not just when the situation escalates,” he said.
With over 3,900 doctors, researchers, and support staff, the Japan Institute for Health Security is poised to play a central role in safeguarding national health. Its early steps signal a shift in Japan’s approach—from reactive to proactive—in dealing with global health threats.
