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Your Excellency Ambassador Sibi George,
Distinguished guests, members of the Confederation of Indian Industry, colleagues and friends,
Good afternoon. I’m Kenji Shibuya, CEO of MEJ.
It is a great honor to welcome you to today’s seminar co-hosted by the Embassy of India, ERIA and MEJ.
First, let me warmly welcome the members of the CII delegation. And to all the Japanese companies gathered here today—thank you for your commitment, even in this summer heat.
Now, while some may argue that summers in Japan feel hotter than in India. I would say, today, the real heat is coming from India itself—a country on fire with innovation, opportunity, and ambition.
Since delivering a keynote at the CII Health Summit last December, our healthcare collaboration has gained remarkable momentum—just like India’s forthcoming bullet trains.
In April, with the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador, we hosted a seminar titled “Navigating India’s Healthcare Landscape: Unlocking Opportunities and Breaking Market Barriers.”
It gave many Japanese stakeholders the chance to experience firsthand, the real, moving India.
And what we saw was powerful—a clear desire to move beyond outdated images and to engage with the India of now.
We are especially honored today to welcome the leadership of the CII Healthcare Committee. When I visited factories in India, I was deeply impressed by the clean, GMP-compliant facilities, by young professionals working earnestly, and by their adoption of kaizen—continuous improvement. It was inspiring.
India moves fast. Decisions are made with clarity. This moment is not just a good opportunity—it is the right opportunity. We must not let it slip away.
We are also joined by representatives of the Gates Foundation whose support for India’s health transformation is essential, and deeply appreciated.
At MEJ, in colloboration with ERIA, we build bridges between government, industry, and healthcare providers to share Japan’s medical strengths with the world. And one of our key projects is Medical Excellence India—a platform for co-creation between Japan and India.
Let’s be honest: Entering the Indian market alone is not necessarily easy for Japanese companies. But through ME India, you don’t have to do it alone. You’ll find partners you can trust and a shared path forward.
India already leads the world in digital health and pharmaceuticals. Now, it is turning seriously toward manufacturing and expectations for Japan are higher than ever.
Consider this: While about 100 hospitals close in Japan each year, India opens nearly 200 new hospitals every year. That means real demand—for devices, for services, for operational know-how. This is a market full of clarity and urgency.
Today, we are joined by the people who can build that future together.
Of course, there will be differences. In culture. In systems. In pace. But this is where “Jugaad”—India’s flexible, solution-oriented spirit—meets Japan’s honesty and precision.
When those two come together, collaboration becomes not just possible, but unstoppable.
So to our Japanese colleagues, I say: Go see India.
Not just through reports or slides but with your own eyes. Meet the people. Feel the momentum. And you’ll see—India isn’t just hot. It’s on fire.
At MEJ, we’re planning a mission to India later this year. Not just for visits but for real deals—partnerships that make a difference.
India is rising. And Japan has a powerful role to play—especially in healthcare, our strongest global asset.
Together, as like-minded partners in Asia, let us build a healthier future for both our peoples.
MEJ and our partenrs is here to support you every step of the way.
Thank you very much.
Kenji Shibuya Chief Executive Officer, MEJ
Chief Executive Officer, Medical Excellence JAPAN
Dr. Kenji Shibuya is a renowned expert in the field of global and population health. He currently holds multiple prestigious positions, including Senior Executive Director of Medical Excellence JAPAN, Research Director at the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, Managing Director at the Soma COVID Vaccination Medical Center in Soma City, Fukushima, and Venture Partner of Eight Roads Ventures Japan. Previously, Dr. Shibuya served as a Professor and Director of the University Institute for Population Health at King's College London. Before his time at King's, he held the position of Professor and Chair of the Department of Global Health at the University of Tokyo.
Dr. Shibuya possesses a wide range of expertise in various crucial areas of global and population health. His knowledge spans health metrics and evaluation, global burden of disease, health system performance, product and system innovations, public-private partnerships, and R&D strategies. Throughout his career, Dr. Shibuya has been an advisor to both central and local governments.
Notably, he served as a Special Advisor to the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and was a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a pandemic vaccine fund that invested in COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Shibuya played a pivotal role in shaping the strategic directions of Japanese global health policy. He spearheaded discussions on health system strengthening at the Hokkaido Toyako G8 Summit in 2008 and global health security at the Ise-Shima G7 Summit in 2016.
He completed his medical degree at the University of Tokyo and earned a doctorate of public health in international health economics from Harvard University.