Shonan Kamakura General Hospital CEO/President Speaks at Kanagawa–Vietnam Healthcare Policy Meeting
Advancing Japan–Vietnam Collaboration in ME-BYO and Advanced Medicine
In November of last year, Kanagawa Prefecture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Healthcare with the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, promoting collaboration aimed at advancing science, technology, and medical care.
Marking one year since the signing, a meeting to strengthen this partnership was held at Ministry of Health in Hanoi this November, where Dr. Kobayashi, CEO/President of Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, was invited as a representative of the Kanagawa delegation.
Overview of the Meeting
The meeting was held in two parts: Healthcare Policy Session and Healthcare Industry Session.
Japanese participants included:
- Governor Yuji Kuroiwa of Kanagawa Prefecture
- Ambassador Naoki Ito, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) representatives
- Officials and a doctor from Kanagawa Prefectural Government
- Medical experts, healthcare-related companies and academia
Vietnamese participants included:
- Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan and leaders from various departments of the Ministry of Health
- Representatives of government-affiliated medical institutions
The discussions provided a platform for proactive, government-level dialogue on advancing bilateral healthcare collaboration.
Our CEO/President’s Presentation
Our CEO/President, Dr. Kobayashi, highlighted Shonan Kamakura General Hospital’s philosophy of “Advanced Medicine that Leaves No One Behind.” He introduced initiatives such as the International ME-BYO Center of Excellence (IMCE), opened in November 2024, and music therapy programs designed to enhance both healthcare and overall quality of life.
Dr. Kobayashi emphasized the growing importance of “care that considers happiness, not just advanced medical technology,” and the idea that “a hospital should ideally be a place you don’t need to visit—ME-BYO improvement is key”.
His message resonated deeply with attendees, encouraging several hospitals and institutions to begin discussions on concrete collaborative initiatives.
Concrete Outcomes: MoU Agreements
Dr. Kobayashi signed formal MoUs on international medical services and human resource development with:
- National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital)
- National Bach Mai Hospital
Related link: https://www.skgh.jp/news/141234/
He also visited the National Children’s Hospital for discussions and facility inspections.
The Kanagawa–Vietnam healthcare meeting marked a significant step forward in improving ME-BYO as the core of Japan–Vietnam healthcare collaboration.
Shonan Kamakura General Hospital will continue to contribute to improving the quality of healthcare and ME-BYO in both countries, advancing international medical cooperation and innovation.
※ME-BYO: ME-BYO is defined as a state between health and illness. Rather than classifying physical and mental conditions as simply “healthy” or “sick,” the concept of ME-BYO recognizes that these conditions exist on a continuous spectrum, encompassing all states between being fully healthy and being sick.
From the center toward the right: Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, Governor Yuji Kuroiwa of Kanagawa Prefecture, Ambassador Naoki Ito of Japan to Vietnam, and Dr. Shuzo Kobayashi, CEO/President of Shonan Kamakura General Hospital.
