WSD Tokyo Summit on Global Hearth and International Policies (6)

  In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to deal with infectious diseases occurring around the world.  Dr.Handa proposed Japan should form such a public organization.  Although he admitted significant roles played by WHO in conducting research and formulating guidelines, he criticized the U.N.health body for its slow response to the outbreak of the Ebola disease and its spreading during the last two years. He added that the upcoming G-7 summit scheduled this May at Mie Prefecture, Japan is a good opportunity for Japan to make a proposal to form a CDC-like national medical organization in each of the attending nations, as health risks are now concerns of national security of each country.

Panelists pose on stage before the discussions.

WSD

(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, March 30, 2016)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/30/general/high-mortality-infectious-diseases-require-global-focus-2/#.VxRBiXxf3IU

  

WSD Tokyo Summit on Global Hearth and International Policies (5)

  The world has been facing the global hearth risks, including not only contagious diseases, but also chronic diseases found in aged societies.  Except Japan, Asian countries will more rapidly become aged societies in the near future. The existing health care systems in many Asian countries are not enough to cover all future patients. 

  Keizo Takemi, chairman of the Special Mission Committee on Global Health Strategy of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said, "The current health care systems (of those Asian countries) have limitations and it is indispensable to construct stronger systems." He added that since Japan introduced a nationwide care system in 1961 to cover all Japanese citizens, the country is able to share its know-how in establishing and operating such a system with other Asian countries.


(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, March 30, 2016)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/30/general/high-mortality-infectious-diseases-require-global-focus-2/#.VxRBiXxf3IU

WSD Tokyo Summit on Global Hearth and International Policies (4)

  Simon Croft, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that Several worldwide pharmaceutical firms such as Johnson & Johnson, Merck and GSK are currently developing vaccines for infectious and tropical diseases. Over the last 15 years, those companies collaborated with academic researchers and private or public organizations to significantly reduce the diagnosis of such diseases. But regardless of such efforts, the participants in the forum agreed that there is more to be done.

 B.T. Slingsby, the CEO of the Global Hearth Innovative Technology Fund, a Japan-based organization to promote global partnership for the development of drugs for emerging countries, said that the world is still suffering from the lack of effective vaccines for many infectious diseases because such products "are not profitable." In fact, infectious disease vaccines are not suitable for large-lot production, because such diseases are not as common as those such as cancer and diabetes. Profits of vaccine sales sometimes are not sufficient to 'offset' the large amount of development costs of the medicine.



(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, March 30, 2016)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/30/general/high-mortality-infectious-diseases-require-global-focus-2/#.VxRBiXxf3IU

WSD Tokyo Summit on Global Hearth and International Policies (3)

 Dr.Piot explained: it was not until 2014 that the Ebola virus spread to Western African areas. It had been contained to Central Africa, and the patients had been found only in limited areas in Africa. However, since then, it hit countries that had just recovered from damaged economies due to decade-long civil wars. He further added that as global economies are intertwined with each other, and also as advanced public transportation makes it easier for people to travel across borders, "nothing remains local these days."


(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, March 30, 2016)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/30/general/high-mortality-infectious-diseases-require-global-focus-2/#.VxRBiXxf3IU

WSD Tokyo Summit on Global Hearth and International Policies (2)

 The forum was organized  by Dr.Haruhisa Handa, founder and chairman of Worldwide Support for development(WSD), a Japanese nonprofit organization.

 First, Dr.Peter Piot, Director of Global Hearth at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine told the audience in a prerecorded video message, "The world isn't prepared for a major outbreak of infectious diseases..."

 Then, Masahiko Komura, a former foreign affairs minister, referred to the recent epidemic of the Zika virus in Brazil and said, "The international society is now called on to unite to tackle infectious diseases..."

 As of March 11, Japan has confirmed two patients in the country with Zika symptons, according to the Ministry of Hearth, Labor and Welfare. 


(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, March 30, 2016)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/30/general/high-mortality-infectious-diseases-require-global-focus-2/#.VxRBiXxf3IU

  

WSD Tokyo Summit on Global Hearth and International Policies (1)

 It has been recently said worldwide that the world should regard global hearth issues as global threats. These issues includes the implementation of universal hearth coverage and early detection of high-mortality infectious disease outbreaks.  On Marth 18, the Worldwide Support for Development held Tokyo Summit on such Global Health and International Policies in Tokyo, March 18. 

 The governmental officials of Japan said at the conference, "Japan should take the initiative in discussing the issues on a global stage, and the upcoming G-7 Ise-Shima summit, scheduled for May in Mie Prefecture, and take the best opportunity to make such proposals in the summit." 



(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, March 30, 2016)

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/30/general/high-mortality-infectious-diseases-require-global-focus-2/#.VxRBiXxf3IU

World Support for Development Chairman Dr.Haruhisa Handa
addresses the audience at the Tokyo Summit on Global Health
and International Policies, on Mar.18

WSD

Prestigious musicians were on a spring concert in Japan --- Toshu Fukami and Friends Concert (5)

 Then, Foster called on Dr.Handa. He sang "Fly me to the Moon," "Summer Time," "I Left my Heart in San Francisco" and "Danny Boy."

 Dr.Handa introduced Kenny "Babyface" Emmonds to the audience. He sang "When Can I See You Again," "I'll Make Love to You," "End of the Road," "Every Time I Close my Eyes" and "Change the World" by Eric Clapton.

 Next, Foster played John Lennon's "Imagine" with Melanie C, Babyface, Cetera Jenkins and Dr.Handa taking turns singing the lyrics. The six singers shook hands, and Foster suggested they should celebrate Dr.Handa's birthday. He said, "It's your birthday!" He and others sang "Happy Birthday" before Dr.Handa cut his cake with a sword.

 The concert was wrapped up by Dr.Handa's singing "O sole mio."

   

Katherine Jenkins, Kenny "Babyface" Emonds, David Foster, Dr.Haruhisa Handa,Peter Cetera and Melanie C (from left) are taking a bow after the concert.
TAF



(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, March 29, 2016)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/29/general/global-musicians-welcome-arrival-spring/#.VxQ0-Xxf3IV

Prestigious musicians were on a spring concert in Japan --- Toshu Fukami and Friends Concert (4)

 Next, Foster introduced Peter Cetera  to the audience.
 Cetera said, "This is my second time to perform with Dr.Handa. The first time was at Budokan."
 He sang his superhits including "Glory of Love," "You're the Inspiration," "If You Leave Me Now" and "Hard to Say I'm Sorry."

 Foster wrote "Hard to say I'm Sorry". Foster and Cetera explained that the song was part of the soundtrack of the 1982 movie "Summer Lovers."It was played at the end of the movie where the sound of the motorcycle dominated. Foster said,"Maybe the sound of the motorcycle was more important than the song." 

 He then brought Katherine Jenkns, a famous national singer in Britain onto the stage. She sang "World in Union," "Time to Say Goodbye" and others.

 Afterwards, Foster himself sand the songs he wrote, including "Look What You've Done to Me" and All-4-One's "I Swear."  He also had Rieco sing Whitney Huston's "I Have Nothing" on the stage.


(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, March 29, 2016)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/29/general/global-musicians-welcome-arrival-spring/#.VxQ0-Xxf3IV

Prestigious musicians were on a spring concert in Japan --- Toshu Fukami and Friends Concert (3)

 Foster told the audience that Dr.Handa's performence was "spectacular." 

 Then, Foster introduced Melanie C. She worked as a judge with him on the talent show "Asia's Got Talent."

 Melanie C sang, accompanied by Foster on the piano, "I Turn to You," "2 Become 1," "Wannabe" and Stevie Wonder's "I Wish".

 Nest, Foster asked the audience if there was a great singer among them. A woman named Rieco volunteered and he brought her on stage to sing "Amazing Grace."



(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, March 29, 2016)
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/29/general/global-musicians-welcome-arrival-spring/#.VxQ0-Xxf3IV