VIDEO: Strategic insights on real-world data in Japan: an interview with Dr Keiko Asao
Japan has developed one of the most comprehensive real-world data (RWD) ecosystems in the world, supported by national databases, hospital networks, and pharmacy records. These resources are increasingly being used across the full spectrum of healthcare and life sciences – from R&D and pharmacovigilance to post-authorization safety studies, market access, and medical affairs. As policymakers and researchers seek to strengthen evidence generation, strategic approaches are vital to ensuring that RWD is applied effectively and responsibly. In this interview, Dr Keiko Asao (President, Kappa Medical K.K.) shares her perspectives on Japan’s evolving RWD strategy and its future potential.
Questions
- Introduction
- How is the RWD landscape structured in Japan, and what makes it unique compared with other regions?
- Japan’s RWD ecosystem has evolved considerably in recent years. Could you walk us through some of the key developments?
- Which strategies or approaches are currently being used to expand and strengthen the use of RWD in Japan?
- From your perspective, which outcomes or achievements best demonstrate the impact of RWD in Japan so far?
- What are the biggest barriers Japan faces today in fully harnessing RWD, and why do they matter?
- Looking ahead, where do you see the greatest opportunities for Japan to move past these barriers and maximize the value of RWD?
- Finally, if you had to summarize Japan’s journey with RWD in one sentence, what would it be?
Published as part of the Evidence Insights, "Harnessing RWD in Japan: Structure, strategy and impact."
Keiko Asao
President, Kappa Medical K.K.
Dr Keiko Asao is an epidemiologist and internist/endocrinologist with over 20 years of experience in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and consulting. She founded Kappa Medical K.K., providing specialized consultation and research support in epidemiology and real-world data (RWD). Dr Asao earned her MD from Tohoku University and her MPH and PhD in epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University. She serves as a council member of the Japanese Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (JSPE) and a board member of the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE) and is an active OHDSI community member.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this feature are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Kappa Medical K.K., Medical Data Vision, The Evidence Base® or Becaris Publishing Ltd.
In association with
Published as part of the Evidence Insights, "Harnessing RWD in Japan: Structure, strategy and impact", sponsored by Medical Data Vision.