Hiromi Nakata: Clinical Geneticist Rendering Globally Aligning Genetic Interventions in Japan

The story of modern medicine cannot be told without genetic testing. Genetic testing has emerged as one of the most transformative areas in modern healthcare, fueled by breakthroughs in genomics and increasing global recognition of preventive medicine.

Owing to technological advancements and decline in costs, genetic testing is more accessible worldwide, enabling patients to take control of their health decisions with confidence.

Taking clinical genetics forward in Japan is Dr Hiromi Nakata. Armed with diverse medical expertise and deep compassion, Dr Hiromi is currently the Director of Minerva Clinic. She leverages her background as internal medicine specialist, oncology pharmacotherapy expert, and clinical geneticist, to provide comprehensive support to patients rooted in global standards of care.

What inspired your journey into healthcare?

My journey into medicine began with personal adversity. From a very young age I struggled with nephritis, though it was not recognized by doctors at the time. Living with prolonged suffering for years left a lasting impression and became the driving force behind my decision to dedicate my life to the medical profession.

Beginning my career with choosing to specialize in haematology before shifting focus to cancer pharmacotherapy, I gained broad clinical insights and hands-on experience. With time, my professional interests gravitated toward hereditary tumours, a focus that naturally progresses into my board certification as a clinical geneticist.

Never say you cannot do something before trying, because only after you have attempted it can you claim it was not possible, and then strive to go beyond that point

Take us through your journey as a medical practitioner. What key areas of expertise have you developed over the years?

My professional journey in the field of medicine began in oncology pharmaco­therapy, but my engagement with he­reditary tumour cases deepened my conviction that prevention is as vital as treatment. Today, I integrate my expertise as both a pharmacotherapy oncologist and clinical geneticist.

This allows me to pin­point individuals with hereditary predis­positions and connect them with tailored surveillance programs designed for early detection and intervention.

I now concen­trate on spotting predisposed patients and directing them toward tailored monitoring pathways, so that preventive or therapeu­tic interventions can be implemented as early and ef­fectively as possible.

I advise and provide comprehensive genetic screening before pregnancy to my patients that combines carrier testing with the 81 actionable genes identified by ACMG Secondary Findings v3.1. This helps reveal unexpected risks ahead of the curve, enabling discussions around reproductive planning and preventive strategies such as prophylactic oophorectomy.

My care philosophy is firmly based on globally endorsed clinical guidelines, offering patients access to counselling and treatment that meet world-class medical standards rather than being confirmed to local conventions.

What inspired you to establish Minerva Clinic? Tell us about the underlying idea and vision behind the healthcare institution.

Japan’s Cancer Control Act, 2006, was designed to make gold-standard, evidence-based cancer care available to all patients regardless of location or provider. In 2008, I joined the inaugural cohort of Japan’s Cancer Professional Training Program, designed to train the next generation of specialists.

When I was a teenager, I attended high school in Belgium. That experience taught me that people are valued not by their family background or affiliation, but by their individual identity and ability. In Japan, however, value is judged by institutional ties and organizational affiliation.

Drawing from these experiences, I am determined to redefine how value is measured in medicine, not by the institution one belongs to, but by professional capability. Minerva Clinic was born from this belief. We create access to patient-friendly genetics department rooted in evidence-based care and guided by global medical standards, free from rigid hierarchies.

The clinic is designed and competent to provide accessible, high-quality care anchored in global; best practices and scientific rigor, moving beyond conventional structures that often slow innovation.

What challenges persist in the Japanese healthcare landscape and how do you tackle them?

Japan faces a major challenge that is the gap between global healthcare benchmarks and domestic practice. Unlike in many regions where genetic testing and surveillance are routine, Japan has yet to fully integrate these measures that deprive patients of vital opportunities for prevention and early diagnosis. In Japan, carrier screening is often rejected as discriminatory, that further limits patients’ ability to make informed choices.

The structural rigidity of Japan’s healthcare system also creates another major hurdle. Hierarchical processes and soiled operations delay intervention, leaving clinics with little room for timely innovation. These endangers the potential of proven testes remaining in research pipelines instead of being

delivered as real-world solutions for patients. To overcome these challenges, we have set our approach by working hand-in-hand with our patients providing care and support meeting global best practices.

To bridge these gaps, I have built my practice on trusted international benchmarks like the ACMG and NCCN guidelines, ensuring the highest quality of care beyond local conventions. At the same time, an agile clinical framework enables me to stay responsive to patients’ needs with speed and precision.

How do you ensure all-round medical care at Minerva Care?

As one of Japan’s rare clinics specializing in clinical genetics, Minerva Clinic attracts patients from across the country who are searching for answers to a difficult medical challenge. In today’s demographic context, families sometimes encounter deeply distressing situations, such as losing a child to an undiagnosed condition. This adds up not only to their grief but also develops deep anxiety about healthy future pregnancies.

For such and many other complex situations, we use preserved DNA to deliver faster diagnoses, giving families timely clarity and support. While such genetic testing is available in research contexts, the turnaround time often exceeding two years, failing to address the pressing expectations of couples who need clarity and resolution within a reasonable timeframe.

At Minerva Clinic, our care model is tailored keeping in mind each patient’s stage of life. The process begins with identification of possible early concerns and providing solutions that empower patients to move forward. Our goal is to provide empathetic care with evidence and science-based support to all our patients.

Looking back at your journey, which professional milestones standout? What is your vision for the future?

My career has seen a series of milestones, each valuable but never a final destination. In my opinion progress comes from continuously staying motivated based on growth and resilience. My focus is always on understanding, what steps must be taken to make any outcome achievable.

My commitment to moving beyond limitations is what led me to create Minerva Clinic. Rather than following untested practices, I apply global medical standards in my practice. I have successfully designed a health care model that addresses unmet needs and ensures patients benefit from internationally validated, evidence-based medicine. This has allowed me to close systemic gaps and provide patients with globally recognized, data-driven care.

My vision ahead is to broaden this approach leading to timely detection and tailored interventions.

I desire to see Japan foster a healthcare culture that honors patient autonomy and translates international best practices into accessible realities.

Dr Hiromi Nakata, Director, Minerva Clinic

Dr Hiromi Nakata stands out as a trusted guide in the field of genetic medicine, where precision and empathy go hand in hand. As director of Minerva Clinic, she draws on her back ground and expertise to deliver care that meets global benchmarks. Honoring the emotional realities faced by patients and their families, her approach is attuned to each pa­tient’s unique journey drawn out of a combi­nation of science and compassion.