5 DECEMBER2025W MAN LEADERGLOBAL W MAN LEADERGLOBAL Editor's NoteJapan builds An Equitable & Empathetic Healthcare SystemJapan's healthcare system is highly regarded across the world. The country's healthcare sector is designed on the principal that all residents of the country should be insured. All residents are required to have health coverage, and in most cases the government pays about 70% of the medical bill while patients cover the rest. The prices for treatments and medicines are regulated nationwide and people can visit any public or private hospital or clinic without worrying about cost differences. The system is overseen through a mix of national and local government agencies and is widely seen as effective and reliable. The pharmaceutical landscape of Japan is one of the largest in the world and has been valued at around $95 billion, as per country's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).Even with its various merits the Japanese healthcare sector faces growing pressure as the population ages and as the need for more coordinated, integrated care becomes increasingly important.In the current edition of Global Woman Leaders magazine, we meet some of the key women healthcare leaders from the country.In this edition meet Dr. Ritsuko Kimata Pooh, President, CRIFM Prenatal Medical Clinic. Widely regarded as one of the major contributors to global prenatal diagnosis and fetal studies, Dr. Ritsuko Kimata Pooh is a globally renowned Japanese obstetrician and gynecologist. She founded CRIFM Prenatal Medical Clinic and Ritz Medical, the first specialized fetal diagnosis clinic/laboratory in Japan. A pioneer of groundbreaking techniques in detailed fetal brain examination using transvaginal ultrasonography, Dr. Pooh, apart from her M.D., also has a Bachelor of Laws, a Ph.D. in Medicine, an MSc in Medical Genetics, and an MBA degree. Also featured on this edition is Dr. Kasumi Kuse Barouch who plays a pivotal role in advancing periodontal medicine, driving significant progress in patient outcomes by championing evidence-based care and advanced therapeutic protocols. With a background shaped by world-class academic institutions, she brings a strategic and innovative perspective that continues to improve the quality and direction of periodontal care. Read in depth interviews featuring these women healthcare leaders and get to know their journeys and beyond.Your thoughts are welcome.Rachita SharmaManaging Editor
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