June 10, 2024
Today was our first official day for the program. Although others had arrived earlier, it was our first time coming together as a group in Japan. In the morning some of us were able to explore the surrounding area by train and in the afternoon we all visited the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, Kuroiwa Yuji. As the governor and his team presented to us the policies and initiatives for the Kanagawa prefecture, I was reminded of the strong cultural values that influence these programs. One of the important lessons we learned before arriving was that Japanese culture values the group first and then the individual as a unit of society on a familial level and within local communities. This is what allows the country to have health care as a right in their constitution.
Nevertheless, the Governor’s office is aware of the eminent issues that their current system has in order to be sustained with an aging population. They emphasized the need to prioritize healthy aging by promoting a healthy diet, exercise, and social activity. This is why they have multiple initiatives that aim to prevent the onset of chronic diseases as people age but also to create a vibrant INOCHI. This concept of INOCHI resonated with me because it prioritized the human experience as needing community, purpose and laughter among other things. To promote social activities, such as a senior theatre project, they have many partnerships with local businesses as well as organizations all over the world, including Maryland and the WHO to name a few. It was wondrous to see the emphasis on caring after one another as human beings first and foremost. I look forward to seeing how these values are reflected in the universities and facilities in the prefecture.
To finish the day, we all walked to the nearby Yokohama Chinatown. The structures were beautiful, and the food smelled amazing. Overall, a great day to start off the itinerary!
Francy Cabrera Paz
Master of Public Health Student
UM School of Medicine