Insights Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yusuke Ishikawa; hereinafter 'Insights'), which operates health promotion services for healthcare insurance enrollees, has completed the trial phase of the 'Municipal Cancer Screening Support Program' Demonstration Project 2026 and officially launched full operations (public availability) on July 14, 2026. The program's 'Municipal Cancer Screening Database' already covers all municipalities nationwide, and this demonstration project has enhanced data quality in collaboration with 14 municipalities, paving the way for nationwide expansion. The program is now inviting new health insurance societies to join the collaborative initiative.

* The 'Municipal Cancer Screening Support Program' has been selected as a subsidized project by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

▼ Program Details

https://insights.jp/jichitai_cancer

Database Already Covers Nationwide — Enhancing 'Data Quality' Through Demonstration

The 'Municipal Cancer Screening Database' already includes reference points for cancer screening information from all municipalities across Japan (47 prefectures + 1,741 cities, towns, and villages + 175 designated city wards), enabling health insurance societies to provide screening information to members regardless of their location.

The 2026 Demonstration Project established a system where municipalities themselves register and update information to improve data quality. After successful trials with 14 municipalities, the system will be gradually expanded nationwide.

Background: Structural Challenges Faced by Health Insurance Societies Regarding 'Cancer Screening'

Cancer screenings are conducted both at the municipal level (regional) and by health insurance societies (occupational), but difficulties in information sharing have created a 'systemic divide'.

For health insurance societies, promoting screenings among dependents (family members), who are harder to reach, remains a major challenge, carrying risks of late-stage cancer detection and rising future medical costs due to non-participation.

Additionally, there is a growing need for a smooth transition mechanism for individuals losing eligibility (e.g., due to retirement) into municipal cancer screening programs.

Results of the 2026 Demonstration Project

Fourteen municipalities (total population: approximately 3.3 million) from across Japan participated in the 2026 Demonstration Project, conducting three operational meetings and trial runs starting January 2026. Key outcomes include:

- Confirmation of Practicality: Municipal staff successfully registered and updated screening data in the database and verified the resident-facing interface, confirming the sustainability of the information-sharing system without excessive administrative burden.

- Standardization of Screening Information: A standardized 'input format (Version 1.0)' was developed. Test names and other data were organized, and compliance or non-compliance with national guidelines is now clearly indicated.

- User-Friendly Screening Guide: Residents and enrollees can input gender and date of birth to filter and display only eligible screenings, with clear distinctions between group and individual screenings.

- Addressing Operational Issues: System updates were implemented to resolve issues identified during the trial, including flexibility in entering age eligibility and costs, and reminders for annual updates.

- Full Launch and Public Availability: On July 14, 2026, the system transitioned to full production, and cancer screening information from participating municipalities became publicly available to health insurance society members.

- Expert Collaboration: Dr. Hiroyuki Takahashi (National Cancer Center / Mericue Inc.) participated as an advisor.

* Participating Municipalities in the Demonstration:

Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture Onjuku City, Chiba Prefecture Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo Ota Ward, Tokyo Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture Sukumo City, Kochi Prefecture Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture

Benefits for Health Insurance Societies After Full Launch

- Direct Information Provision to Enrollees and Dependents: By enabling enrollees to access local cancer screening information, the program aims to increase overall screening opportunities and participation rates across both occupational and regional settings.

- Support for Retirees' Transition to National Health Insurance: Provides screening information from the resident municipality to individuals approaching eligibility loss, supporting a smooth transition to municipal health insurance.

- Connection to Follow-up Examinations (Secondary Screening): In addition to municipal screening pages, information on follow-up examinations is provided. This facilitates timely follow-up after initial screening, helping prevent cancer progression and reduce future medical cost burdens.

Call for New Health Insurance Societies to Join the Collaborative 'Municipal Cancer Screening Support Program'

Insights Inc. is now accepting new health insurance societies to join the collaborative program, which leverages the infrastructure developed during the demonstration project and can be operated stably with only an annual base fee.

▼ Program Details

https://insights.jp/jichitai_cancer

Benefits of Adoption

- Nationwide Coverage at Low Cost: No system development or maintenance costs. For an annual base fee, access to a centralized database containing cancer screening information from all municipalities, as well as regional health initiatives and follow-up examination details.

- Alignment with National Incentive Systems: Supports compliance with the 'Comprehensive Evaluation Index' under the 4th Phase Late-Stage Elderly Support Fund (e.g., 3 points for 'Promotion of Municipal Cancer Screening' and 4 points for 'Health Management Initiatives Post-Retirement'), contributing to incentive optimization.

- Public Relations Support: Utilization of standardized promotional materials (flyers, postcards, banners, etc.) provided by the secretariat significantly reduces the administrative burden on health insurance society staff.

Collaborative Program Participation Fees (Annual Base Fee, Excluding Tax)

- Enrollees of 10,000 or more: 398,000 JPY

- Enrollees under 10,000: 298,000 JPY

* Enrollee count is based on the number as of April 1 of the fiscal year. Printing costs for flyers, etc., are not included.

▼ Program Details

https://insights.jp/jichitai_cancer

This initiative is particularly effective for health insurance societies that:

- Face challenges in promoting screenings among dependents or ensuring smooth transitions for retirees into municipal insurance

- Are interested in municipal cancer screening but seeking a practical implementation approach

- Wish to introduce new initiatives without significantly altering existing health programs

Company Overview

Company Name: Insights Inc.

Representative: CEO Yusuke Ishikawa

Headquarters: 2F, 7th Center Plaza, 1-3-12 Nihonbashi Hamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Privacy Mark Registration Number: 14500026(07)

Business Activities:

- Health promotion services for health insurance society enrollees

- Health data analysis, evaluation, and navigation

- Healthcare consulting

- Healthcare ICT services

URL: https://insights.jp/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Partnership