A Doctor Who Challenged Medical Care in Developing Countries as a Volunteer for 9 Years Speaks Her Mind for the First Time After Returning to Japan and Expresses Gratitude to Supporters – Japan Heart Activity Report Meeting 2025 to be Held!
Japan Heart Activity Report Meeting 2025 will be held, where Dr. Kakazu will reflect on her 9 years of volunteer medical activities in developing countries.
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- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 20:04
Japan Heart, a specified non-profit organization and international medical NGO originating from Japan (Taito-ku, Tokyo; Chairperson: Haruna Yoshioka), will hold its annual activity report event, 'Japan Heart Activity Report Meeting 2025 ~Dr. Kakazu Speaks: The Medical Frontline Connected by Support~,' featuring Dr. Mariko Kakazu, Head of Pediatrics in Cambodia, starting at 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 14th.
This event is organized by Japan Heart, an NPO where 90% of its annual income comes from donations, a high proportion even among NPOs, with the aim of expressing gratitude to supporters and reporting how donations are utilized on the ground.
The speaker will be Dr. Mariko Kakazu, Head of Pediatrics in Cambodia, who has continued her pro bono activities on the front lines as a long-term volunteer doctor for nine years since 2017. As a pediatrician and a specialist of the Japan Society of Hematology, Dr. Kakazu focuses on treating pediatric cancer in developing countries, where infant mortality rates are high.
Her work garnered significant attention as a central figure in the 'Asia Pediatric Medical Center' episode of TBS/MBS's 'Jounetsu Tairiku' (Passionate Continent), broadcast in December 2025.
Dr. Kakazu has now concluded her long-term volunteer doctor activities on site and will return to Japan. While she plans to continue her involvement with Japan Heart's activities, at this event, she will speak for the first time since her return, sharing her reflections, achievements, and gratitude to supporters, especially now that she has reached a significant milestone.
Fiscal year 2025 was a 'turbulent year' for Japan Heart.
It began with the chaos immediately following the Myanmar earthquake on March 28th at the end of the previous fiscal year, and in October, the 'Japan Heart Asia Pediatric Medical Center,' a 200-bed completely free hospital built with over 800 million yen in donations, newly opened.
As part of this annual activity report, the event will feature Dr. Kakazu's presentation as the main program, along with a live broadcast from the new hospital and video messages from various Japan Heart projects in Myanmar, Japan, and other locations.
Through this event, Japan Heart aims to convey gratitude for the medical work that was sustained thanks to support, and to inspire continued collaboration as partners in saving lives.
Application Link: https://www.japanheart.org/join/event/lecture/20260514_impact_session.html
【Event Outline】
■ Title: 'Japan Heart Activity Report Meeting 2025 ~Dr. Kakazu Speaks: The Medical Frontline Connected by Support~'
■ Date & Time: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- (Part 1) 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: On-site activity report and lecture by Dr. Mariko Kakazu, etc.
- (Part 2) 8:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Q&A session, networking session *Program limited to in-person attendees
■ Venue: OPENBASE SHIBUYA B1F (14-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042...
This event is organized by Japan Heart, an NPO where 90% of its annual income comes from donations, a high proportion even among NPOs, with the aim of expressing gratitude to supporters and reporting how donations are utilized on the ground.
The speaker will be Dr. Mariko Kakazu, Head of Pediatrics in Cambodia, who has continued her pro bono activities on the front lines as a long-term volunteer doctor for nine years since 2017. As a pediatrician and a specialist of the Japan Society of Hematology, Dr. Kakazu focuses on treating pediatric cancer in developing countries, where infant mortality rates are high.
Her work garnered significant attention as a central figure in the 'Asia Pediatric Medical Center' episode of TBS/MBS's 'Jounetsu Tairiku' (Passionate Continent), broadcast in December 2025.
Dr. Kakazu has now concluded her long-term volunteer doctor activities on site and will return to Japan. While she plans to continue her involvement with Japan Heart's activities, at this event, she will speak for the first time since her return, sharing her reflections, achievements, and gratitude to supporters, especially now that she has reached a significant milestone.
Fiscal year 2025 was a 'turbulent year' for Japan Heart.
It began with the chaos immediately following the Myanmar earthquake on March 28th at the end of the previous fiscal year, and in October, the 'Japan Heart Asia Pediatric Medical Center,' a 200-bed completely free hospital built with over 800 million yen in donations, newly opened.
As part of this annual activity report, the event will feature Dr. Kakazu's presentation as the main program, along with a live broadcast from the new hospital and video messages from various Japan Heart projects in Myanmar, Japan, and other locations.
Through this event, Japan Heart aims to convey gratitude for the medical work that was sustained thanks to support, and to inspire continued collaboration as partners in saving lives.
Application Link: https://www.japanheart.org/join/event/lecture/20260514_impact_session.html
【Event Outline】
■ Title: 'Japan Heart Activity Report Meeting 2025 ~Dr. Kakazu Speaks: The Medical Frontline Connected by Support~'
■ Date & Time: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- (Part 1) 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: On-site activity report and lecture by Dr. Mariko Kakazu, etc.
- (Part 2) 8:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Q&A session, networking session *Program limited to in-person attendees
■ Venue: OPENBASE SHIBUYA B1F (14-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042...