Global health is emerging as an attractive field that extends beyond the traditional concepts of medical assistance and international health. The global surge of investment in healthcare at the beginning of the 21st century broke the vicious cycle of poor health and poverty, realizing a world of unprecedented affluence and good health conditions. Japan, as a leader in the pursuit of healthy longevity, can contribute directly to this world with its experience, know-how, and medical technologies. Furthermore, as the world is becoming more and more connected, we are faced with the risk that a disease originating in a remote area of a developing country can spread instantly to all over the planet, as illustrated by the recent outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

However, the number of Japanese people working for international organizations has actually been decreasing. In the field of healthcare, the number of personnel from China and South Korea increased by 50 percent during the last five years, but the number of those from Japan has remained largely unchanged. Driven by concern about this fact, a report on developing and sending out human resources for global health policies was produced under the lead of Mr. Shiozaki, former Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. At the core of its recommendations, the report recognized that international organizations involved in global health had become diversified and were no longer limited to United Nations organs such as the WHO. This meant that able healthcare workers other than those working in the public sector were needed and were given opportunities. Conversely, this came down to two points: there was a need for a new approach and there had to be a control tower for sending out and developing human resources.

Based on this background, the Center was established within the National Center for Global Health and Medicine as a project commissioned by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The first of its main functions is to grasp the personnel information of international organizations quickly and actively discover candidates for the posts that are strategically important for our country. Next, we conduct training to strengthen competitiveness of our candidates, so that they can compete effectively in the examination-based process of staff recruitment. It should be noted that the candidates are not necessarily limited to the current residents in Japan; we also can respond to the need for career enhancement of those who already work for international organizations or those who are in overseas universities.

Human Resource Strategy Center for Global Health plans to continue stepping up these functions. We sincerely ask for your support and cooperation.