[Policy Proposal] 'Toward Effective Promotion of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Research and Development—Expectations for Cross-Disease and Cross-Ministerial System Building' Released and Submitted to Deputy Cabinet Minister Hayato Suzuki

The Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI: Health and Global Policy Institute), a nonprofit organization based in Minato-ku, Tokyo, with Ryoji Noritake as Representative Director, has released a policy proposal titled 'Toward Effective Promotion of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Research and Development—Expectations for Cross-Disease and Cross-Ministerial System Building.'

On April 10, 2026, during the House of Representatives Committee on Health, Labour and Welfare, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare announced a policy to include PPI initiatives as an evaluation criterion in public research funding calls for human-targeted drug development. PPI contributes to improving research quality and reflecting patient needs, and its promotion is expected not only in drug development but across the entire spectrum from basic research to social implementation. From its long-standing position advocating for patient and stakeholder engagement in research, HGPI has compiled three key policy recommendations to ensure effective, government-wide promotion of PPI.

Recommendation 1: Formulation of a government-wide policy on the definition, principles, and evaluation framework for PPI

Recommendation 2: Establishment of a cross-disease mechanism to support broad individual participation in PPI

Recommendation 3: Development of a cross-ministerial promotion system, with the Cabinet Office in mind

With the aim of advancing concrete policy discussions, the proposal was formally submitted on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, to Deputy Cabinet Minister Hayato Suzuki, who oversees science, technology, and innovation at the Cabinet Office, urging action toward the realization of PPI in research and development.

HGPI, maintaining its nonprofit and independent stance, will continue to deepen this dialogue together with diverse stakeholders.

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About the Health and Global Policy Institute: https://hgpi.org/

The Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) is a nonprofit, independent, and bipartisan private think tank established in 2004. As an independent policy institute, HGPI has brought together a wide range of stakeholders to provide society with policy options aimed at achieving citizen-led healthcare. Upholding independence without alignment to any political party or organization, HGPI offers innovative ideas and values from a forward-looking, broad perspective to realize a fair and healthy society. Since its establishment, HGPI has been among the first to identify under-discussed topics—such as women's health, cancer policy, dementia, antimicrobial resistance, regenerative medicine, and global health—as policy issues, contributing to the development of legal frameworks, national strategies, and international policy dialogues. These sustained efforts have earned recognition from domestic and international policymakers and international organizations, enabling HGPI to remain an active participant in global policy discussions as a Japan-based healthcare think tank.

Domestically and globally, HGPI will continue to propose effective healthcare policy options and work with stakeholders to address global health and medical challenges.