【Event Report】96th Study Group: "Support for Single Elderly Patients" Required by Hospitals Today - Hosted by: Association for Thinking about the Future of Japanese Healthcare
The 96th study group focused on the challenges of supporting "single elderly individuals" in Japan's super-aging society. Professor Katsuhiko Fujimori of Nihon Fukushi University lectured on issues such as hospital admission refusal for those without guarantors and medical fee arrears. The report will be published in the May issue of "Shuchu" magazine.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 03:20
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 19:02
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One of the major challenges in Japan, which has entered a super-aging society, is supporting "single elderly individuals" who have no relatives. Not only are single elderly individuals prone to social isolation, but many are also denied hospital admission or entry into facilities if they do not have a guarantor. Even when accepted, hospitals and facilities face difficulties in dealing with issues such as unpaid medical bills and usage fees. The national and local governments are considering countermeasures, such as establishing new systems, but there are also criticisms regarding the limitations of public support. At the 96th study group held on Wednesday, March 18, Professor Katsuhiko Fujimori of the Faculty of Social Welfare, Nihon Fukushi University, who primarily researches support for people without relatives from a welfare perspective, gave a lecture on the challenges of supporting single elderly individuals and future countermeasures.
- The post-event report article will be published in the May issue of "Shuchu" magazine (published April 30).
Website of the Association for Thinking about the Future of Japanese Healthcare: http://www.iryounomirai.com/
What is the "Association for Thinking about the Future of Japanese Healthcare"?
Target Audience: Diet members, hospital managers, university medical professors, doctors, medical-related companies (department manager level or higher)
Content and Structure: Each month, one broad medical issue is selected, and experts give lectures, followed by free exchange of opinions.
Frequency: Held on the third Wednesday of every month (approx. 2 hours, including social gathering) (No meetings in August and December)
Venue: House of Representatives Members' Office Building (Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Lecturers: Experts, relevant ministries and agencies invited according to the theme.
Participation Fee: Free for medical institutions, government agencies, and university personnel. Companies are members only (trial participation available).
Organizer/Secretariat: Shuchu Publishing Co., Ltd.
Co-organizer: University Cambridge Japan Consulting Supervisor
For those considering corporate membership, click here >>> https://form.run/@nyukai-toiawase
What is the medical information magazine "Shuchu"?
It boasts a readership specialized in hospital managers, directors, hospital presidents, and other medical professionals, covering a wide range of information from hospital management strategies, health administration, trends of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, to domestic and international politics, economy, society, and culture. As it is sold directly through subscription, it is not available in general bookstores.
【Media Overview】
Media Name: Shuchu / Medical Confidential
Price: Annual subscription fee 18,000 yen (1,500 yen per issue including tax)
Format: B5 size
Release Date: End of each month
【Subscription Application】
https://www.medical-confidential.com/subscription/
- May issue of "Shuchu" magazine
Website of "Shuchu" magazine: https://www.medical-confidential.com/
About Shuchu Publishing Group
Shuchu Publishing Co., Ltd.: Publisher of the medical information magazine "Shuchu"
Publishes "Shuchu / Medical Confidential" (first published in April 2008). Provides useful information to medical professionals and executives of medical-related companies, and disseminates information from medical institutions. Other activities include:
- Planning, production, and consulting for publications
- Planning of advertising and advertising agency business
- Consulting on health and medical information, and management
- Organization and operation of symposiums and seminars, etc.
URL: https://www.medical-confidential.com/
- Click here for 564 doctors who support "Shuchu"
https://www.medical-confidential.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026_564Dr.pdf
Shuchu Publishing Co., Ltd.: Operation of the "Forum for Healing and Comforting Environment"
This activity started in 2002 with Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara as honorary chairman and Dr. Sakae Iwasaki as chairman, along with 20 members including architect Tadao Ando, photographer Koichi Inagoshi, and Professor Yasushi Nagasawa of architecture at the University of Tokyo, with the aim of making medical facilities a "healing and comforting environment by incorporating art and music." To honor medical corporations that are enthusiastically working to create healing and comforting environments, the "Healing and Comforting Environment Award" was established, and the "Medical Shuchu Grand Prize" is awarded annually to express gratitude to doctors and medical professionals who have made significant social contributions.
University Cambridge Japan Consulting Supervisor: Japan-UK Medical Exchange
Since 2018, Japan-UK medical exchange with the University of Cambridge in the UK has commenced. As "University Cambridge Japan Consulting Supervisor," it implements educational programs and study abroad support. On August 26, 2022, the Cambridge office was opened.
Japan Office:
Strong Akasaka Building 6F, 3-5-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
UK Office:
Suite 219 23 King Street Cambridge C
- The post-event report article will be published in the May issue of "Shuchu" magazine (published April 30).
Website of the Association for Thinking about the Future of Japanese Healthcare: http://www.iryounomirai.com/
What is the "Association for Thinking about the Future of Japanese Healthcare"?
Target Audience: Diet members, hospital managers, university medical professors, doctors, medical-related companies (department manager level or higher)
Content and Structure: Each month, one broad medical issue is selected, and experts give lectures, followed by free exchange of opinions.
Frequency: Held on the third Wednesday of every month (approx. 2 hours, including social gathering) (No meetings in August and December)
Venue: House of Representatives Members' Office Building (Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Lecturers: Experts, relevant ministries and agencies invited according to the theme.
Participation Fee: Free for medical institutions, government agencies, and university personnel. Companies are members only (trial participation available).
Organizer/Secretariat: Shuchu Publishing Co., Ltd.
Co-organizer: University Cambridge Japan Consulting Supervisor
For those considering corporate membership, click here >>> https://form.run/@nyukai-toiawase
What is the medical information magazine "Shuchu"?
It boasts a readership specialized in hospital managers, directors, hospital presidents, and other medical professionals, covering a wide range of information from hospital management strategies, health administration, trends of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, to domestic and international politics, economy, society, and culture. As it is sold directly through subscription, it is not available in general bookstores.
【Media Overview】
Media Name: Shuchu / Medical Confidential
Price: Annual subscription fee 18,000 yen (1,500 yen per issue including tax)
Format: B5 size
Release Date: End of each month
【Subscription Application】
https://www.medical-confidential.com/subscription/
- May issue of "Shuchu" magazine
Website of "Shuchu" magazine: https://www.medical-confidential.com/
About Shuchu Publishing Group
Shuchu Publishing Co., Ltd.: Publisher of the medical information magazine "Shuchu"
Publishes "Shuchu / Medical Confidential" (first published in April 2008). Provides useful information to medical professionals and executives of medical-related companies, and disseminates information from medical institutions. Other activities include:
- Planning, production, and consulting for publications
- Planning of advertising and advertising agency business
- Consulting on health and medical information, and management
- Organization and operation of symposiums and seminars, etc.
URL: https://www.medical-confidential.com/
- Click here for 564 doctors who support "Shuchu"
https://www.medical-confidential.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026_564Dr.pdf
Shuchu Publishing Co., Ltd.: Operation of the "Forum for Healing and Comforting Environment"
This activity started in 2002 with Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara as honorary chairman and Dr. Sakae Iwasaki as chairman, along with 20 members including architect Tadao Ando, photographer Koichi Inagoshi, and Professor Yasushi Nagasawa of architecture at the University of Tokyo, with the aim of making medical facilities a "healing and comforting environment by incorporating art and music." To honor medical corporations that are enthusiastically working to create healing and comforting environments, the "Healing and Comforting Environment Award" was established, and the "Medical Shuchu Grand Prize" is awarded annually to express gratitude to doctors and medical professionals who have made significant social contributions.
University Cambridge Japan Consulting Supervisor: Japan-UK Medical Exchange
Since 2018, Japan-UK medical exchange with the University of Cambridge in the UK has commenced. As "University Cambridge Japan Consulting Supervisor," it implements educational programs and study abroad support. On August 26, 2022, the Cambridge office was opened.
Japan Office:
Strong Akasaka Building 6F, 3-5-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
UK Office:
Suite 219 23 King Street Cambridge C