Abstract
Our country is blessed with the highest level of health and life expectancy, which were attained by improvements in medical technology and the national health insurance system. Nevertheless, health care reform is indispensable in Japan, because we are confronted with serious issues such as the rapid increase in national health expenditure. A new health care system for the 21st century which is corresponding to the variety of needs and the rapid progress in aging society in Japan, is highly anticipated. On the other hand, it is essential to promote clinical research such as randomized controlled trials (RCT) and translational research, in order to improve the overall quality of health care. To this end, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has been making efforts to increase the research budget.
