28-Dec-15 Japan's government has approved a draft budget for 2016 including JPY82.5 bn for the Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare (MHLW) to promote development of innovative new drugs and medical devices, based on the comprehensive strategy for strengthening the pharmaceutical industry announced in Sep-15. Among others, this budget will fund initiatives to promote the practical application of genomic medicine. [image: Tohoku University]

25-Dec-15 Japan's first new school of medicine in 38 years will open close to Narita Airport with the aim of capitalizing on the medical tourism market and attracting foreign visitors for medical check-ups and treatments from world-class physicians. Foreign visitors will be offered general checkups, advanced medical care and the opportunity to see the sights of Tokyo. [image: International University of Health and Welfare]

23-Dec-15 Korea's Ministry of Health announced the Act on Overseas Medical Service & Support for Foreign Patient Attraction will become effective on 23-Jun-16. The Act helps Korean medical institutions make inroads abroad and supports the interests of non-Korean patients in Korea. Medical advertisements in foreign languages will be allowed at Korean airports, and overseas patients will be able to receive remote services via IT. [image: Business Korea]

15-Dec-15 At the recent RSNA exhibition in Chicago, GE proposed a system for information sharing across multiple settings, and Siemens devoted a big chunk of its space to the use of data, while Japanese players used the event to showcase more traditional technology. Finding ways to use data more effectively is assuming growing importance, but Japanese makers appear less interested in following this trend. [image: Nikkei Asian Review]

15-Dec-15 Japan's government will begin developing a new communications service to facilitate the transportation of patients to core hospitals in times of disaster. The move comes after it was found that many core disaster medical centers were not equipped with satellite data communications systems, potentially causing problems if they had to accept patients after a major disaster. [image: The Yomiuri Shimbun]