Japan Press Weekly

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2025 March 12 - 18 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

JCP promises to work hard to scrap gov’t plan to increase patients’ share in high-cost medical expenses

In the face of widespread anger and action among the general public and patients’ groups, the Ishiba government has decided to “freeze” its plan to raise the monthly cap on out-of-pocket expenses for high-cost medical treatments, such as cancer care.

Following this government decision, the Japan Federation of Cancer Patient Groups (Zenganren) and the Japan Patients Association (JPA) on March 12 visited the JCP anteroom in the Diet building and talked with JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira and JCP Policy Commission Chair Yamazoe Taku.

JCP member of the House of Representatives Tatsumi Kotaro and JCP members of the House of Councilors Inoue Satoshi, Kurabayashi Akiko, Ito Gaku, and Daimon Mikishi also took part in the talks.

Zenganren Executive Director Amano Shinsuke expressed his concern that the government may overturn its decision and move toward increasing patients’ share of costs. He stressed the need to hold discussions involving patients on this issue.

JPA Standing Director Tsuji Kunio asked for the JCP’s continued support in their fight.

Yamazoe in response expressed his respect for Zenganren and the JPA which voiced their opposition to and faced off squarely against the government’s plan.

Koike pointed out that the government in the 2025 budget draft seeks a military budget of 8.7 trillion yen while cutting social welfare expenditures, adding that it is important to change this policy. He said, “The need is to push the government to give up on an increase in the monthly ceiling and instead consider lowering it. The JCP will work hard to achieve this.”

Past related article:
> JCP Tamura calls for cancellation of gov’t plan to raise high-cost medical care co-payment cap [February 5, 2025]