The Türkiye-Japan Healthcare Business Forum, held in honor of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Japan, was successfully completed. This significant event brought together key healthcare professionals and industry leaders from both nations, fostering discussions on critical collaborations and projects in the healthcare sector. Organized with the support of DEİK and JETRO and sponsored by FUJIFILM Healthcare Türkiye, the forum further strengthened the bonds of friendship between Turkey and Japan.
Moderated by Ozlem Aktay, the event opened with a welcome address by Hakan Bulut, President of FUJIFILM Healthcare Türkiye. Following his speech, Türkiye-Japan Ambassador Takahiko Katsumata, DEİK Japan Business Council President Ahmet Çalık, DEİK Healthcare Business Council President Mehmet Altuğ, and FUJIFILM Europe President Yoshiki Kimura addressed the attendees. The closing speech was delivered by Türkiye-Japan Consul General Kenichi Kasahara.
The first panel highlighted the Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital project, a notable collaboration between Turkey and Japan. FUJIFILM Corporation's Medical Systems Director Nobuo Matsunobe presented insights into Japan's NURA healthcare system, while Hitachi Europe Turkey Country Manager Murat Yılmaz discussed the hospital project and Hitachi Proton Beam Therapy system. Mehmet Karakuş, Deputy General Manager of Rönesans Healthcare, and Serdar Gürsoy, Operations Director at Sojitz Corporation, shared their experiences from the project, emphasizing the synergy of both cultures and the potential for future collaborations.
The second panel focused on the importance of breast cancer awareness and early diagnosis. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Levent Çelik, panelists Prof. Dr. Cem Yılmaz, Prof. Dr. Erkin Arıbal, and Dida Kaymaz, founder of the Kansersiz Yaşam Derneği, discussed the advancements in breast cancer treatment in Turkey, the role of Japanese technology, and the work still needed to combat the disease.
The third panel explored the current applications and future potential of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Muammer Hakkı Karakaş, speakers included Hull Educational University's pediatric radiologist Ramdas Senasi, Prof. Dr. Kaan Orhan from Ankara Faculty of Dentistry, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz İlhan Topçu from İzmir City Hospital, and FUJIFILM Europe Medical Informatics Director Kai Fukuzawa. The session highlighted expert experiences and future possibilities for AI technologies in the medical field.
The final panel addressed early detection and treatment of colorectal and gastric cancer. The session featured Prof. Dr. Ahmet Serdar Karaca and Prof. Dr. Yoshikazu Hayashi from Jichi Medical University, who joined the discussion online.
Prominent Japanese firms such as Sompo, Terumo, Sysmex, Sojitz, and Hitachi sponsored the event, providing additional support. This forum offered valuable opportunities to strengthen the existing partnerships between Türkiye and Japan while laying the groundwork for future collaborations and advancements in the healthcare sector.
The Türkiye-Japan Healthcare Business Forum is set to become an annual event, aiming to foster new projects and collaborations that will further enhance the healthcare industries in both countries.