My History
Neuron Network Co., Ltd. focuses on the pharmacy business, collaborating with a wide range of companies and local governments to build communities centered around health and medical care. Founded in 2002, our mission is to create towns where patients and their families can truly feel, "I’m so happy to live here."
Before establishing the company, I worked at a pharmaceutical firm, quickly rising through the ranks to become the youngest manager in its history. However, my perspective on life and work dramatically changed when my second daughter, just over one year old at the time, suffered severe brain damage due to influenza encephalopathy.
Balancing hospital visits and administrative procedures left me with little time even to grieve for my child. If navigating the healthcare system was this challenging for someone like me, a healthcare professional, I couldn’t imagine how difficult it must be for elderly people living alone or those with physical limitations. That’s when I realized the urgent need to transform Japan's healthcare system.
Although my daughter was once told she wouldn’t live past 20, she is now 29. Although my daughter cannot speak, when I meet her again in the next life, I hope she'll be able to tell me, "Dad, the town you built was such a comfortable place for me. I had a wonderful life." This vision drives my desire to create towns where everyone can feel that same sense of comfort and happiness. A town that can make my daughter, with her severe disabilities, feel content must be a place that fosters kindness and inclusivity for all. This vision is at the heart of our business—to establish pharmacies throughout Japan that serve as one-stop centers for everything from preventive care to treatment, relapse prevention, and long-term care insurance applications. These pharmacies will act as the foundation for a "Total Healthcare Town," built through partnerships with diverse industries, government bodies, and financial institutions.
Our company has contributed to several major town development projects. We helped establish the Rinku General Medical Center, a cutting-edge cancer treatment facility in Rinku Town near Kansai International Airport, a hub for international medical exchange. We’ve also played a key role in developing KENTO, Northern Osaka Health and Biomedical Innovation Town, which is dedicated to health and medical care, built on the site of the former Suita rail yard.
Looking ahead, we aim to create a future where everyone can live happily. By integrating expertise and technology from various industries, we are committed to fostering collaboration and innovation.
The Present
In cities, patients can easily visit hospitals and choose from a variety of medical departments that cater to their specific needs. However, in rural areas, access to healthcare is often limited. There may be no nearby hospitals, or the only available doctor might be an elderly general practitioner. To help bridge this gap in healthcare, our company is working on solutions like telemedicine. For instance, if a child with eczema needs to see a specialist who is 100 kilometers away, the local clinic can conduct the necessary tests, send the data to the specialist, and facilitate an online consultation. This approach aims to ensure that even people in remote areas have access to high-quality medical care.
But having access to healthcare alone isn't enough to live a healthy life, especially as we age. Factors like having a balanced diet, living in a clean, allergen-free home, and having nearby places for regular physical activity are all crucial for maintaining good health.
In some countries, governments are taking active steps to create environments where people can live healthily throughout their lives. For example, in the Netherlands and Denmark, public institutions provide daily meals for the elderly and those with chronic conditions. These places also act as social hubs, where locals gather, eat together, and chat, promoting not just physical health but also social interaction, which helps slow down the effects of aging. Meals are tailored to those with specific health needs, such as diabetes or high cholesterol, ensuring proper nutritional care.
This model of community collaboration—where public institutions, private companies, and the elderly themselves take part in creating age-friendly communities—could serve as a useful example for Japan as we work towards ensuring a fulfilling life for seniors.
For the Future
The concept of "Planetary Health," which highlights the idea that human health depends on the health of living creatures and the planet, is gaining more attention today.
At our equestrian club, we rescue gentle, retired racehorses from being euthanized, giving them a second life as riding horses. The land where the horses are kept was once barren or fallow, but we’ve revitalized it, using the horse manure as fertilizer for growing vegetables. These vegetables are then provided to local restaurants.
I believe our horses can play an even bigger role. Imagine grandchildren saying, “I want to visit grandpa and grandma,” and heading to a care facility. There, they can enjoy a delicious meal at an on-site restaurant while watching horses graze peacefully in the surrounding nature. After the meal, the family could go for a ride on horseback, enjoy the scenery, stop for coffee and treats, and ride back together. By connecting care facilities and medical institutions with other services, we can create spaces where families can make cherished memories.
We hope to develop this model in at least four locations in Japan and one overseas. Just as neurons connect various parts of the body to transmit information, we aim to connect hospitals, pharmacies, care facilities, local governments, and businesses to create the best possible environment for patients and their families. The name of our company, "Neuron Network," reflects this vision.
With Japan's declining birthrate and aging population, it’s unlikely that existing industries will see significant growth. However, by linking healthcare and eldercare with other industries, we can create a new, attractive sector. My vision is to establish a foundation for expanding this concept globally. By fostering new industries in Japan, we can contribute to the global community. As a Total Healthcare Corporation, we are committed to creating an integrated, positive healthcare system both domestically and internationally.