Subscribe Login

Why HIMEDIC's Strategy to Expand Advanced Oncology Centers Across Asia Is Set for Success

By Antoine Azoulay

Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member

Advertiser Content

Supplied by an entity that has paid the news provider for its placement; not impartial journalism.

Copy Link

✓ Link copied to clipboard!

Listen

Translate

English (Original)
Español
中国人
Français
Deutsch
Portuguese
हिन्दी

Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.

Read original

Speed: 0.5xSpeed: 1xSpeed: 1.5xSpeed: 2x

🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.

✖

How does the cancer mortality rate of developing economies differ from advanced nations? Taking Vietnam as an example, the country records more than 24,000 new cases of lung cancer per year. With approximately 75% of these patients diagnosed at an advanced stage, the five-year survival rate falls to less than 15%. In other emerging countries across Southeast Asia, the statistics are similarly alarming.

Now compare this to Japan, where the five-year survival rate for lung cancer patients is around 32.9%, with rates as high as 89% for stage 1 cancers and over 60% for stage 2. This difference is largely attributed to early-stage diagnoses and advanced treatment options, highlighting how strategic health care development can drastically improve outcomes.

This disparity has led to a predictable trend: affluent patients from emerging economies increasingly seek treatment abroad, giving rise to a burgeoning medical tourism sector, while governments in countries like Vietnam are actively working to build local capacity for diagnostics and treatment to reduce dependence on overseas care. Earlier this year, General Secretary Tô Lâm clearly expressed his commitment to strengthening the country's domestic treatment capabilities.

1 of 3

Tetsuya Furukawa

Tetsuya Furukawa, Resorttrust, Inc., senior managing executive officer; HIMEDIC, Inc., chief operating officer. Credit: Courtesy of Resorttrust, Inc.

Tetsuya Furukawa

Tetsuya Furukawa, Resorttrust, Inc., senior managing executive officer; HIMEDIC, Inc., chief operating officer. Credit: Courtesy of Resorttrust, Inc.

HIMEDIC ecosystem

HIMEDIC ecosystem. Credit: Courtesy of Resorttrust, Inc.

BNCT equipment CICS

BNCT equipment CICS. Credit: Courtesy of Resorttrust, Inc.

For companies in the medical sector, these developments present a unique opportunity to achieve both financial success and social impact by contributing to the long-term development of global health care systems. However, meeting these demands is a significant challenge for any company, as it requires not only access to cutting-edge cancer treatments, diagnostic equipment and skilled physicians but also integration into global networks and strategic partnerships—features that existing systems and frameworks often struggle to support.

Interestingly, one of the few Asian enterprises positioned to answer these multifaceted requirements is not a renowned medical institution or health care firm but a historic leader in Japan's hospitality sector: Resorttrust. Established in 1973, Resorttrust has grown into one of Japan's leading hospitality companies through its membership-based model, which provides over 200,000 members with access to luxury hotels and resorts.

Recognizing the evolving needs of its aging membership base, Resorttrust strategically expanded into the medical field by establishing HIMEDIC, a membership-based medical service. Today, HIMEDIC provides comprehensive health care solutions in major cities across Japan, centered on cancer screening using PET technology and delivered in close collaboration with universities, research institutions, hospitals and physicians.

To strengthen its medical capabilities, HIMEDIC has, in recent years, formed strategic partnerships with Japan's leading medical institutions, including university hospitals. These collaborations enable HIMEDIC to incorporate the latest advances in medical technology into its diagnostic services. One particularly noteworthy initiative is the introduction of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a targeted radiotherapy that selectively destroys cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Unlike traditional radiation methods, which require multiple sessions, BNCT's precision and low impact on surrounding tissues make it effective for tumors resistant to conventional treatments and require fewer sessions.

Building on its domestic capabilities, HIMEDIC is now setting its sights on international markets. To facilitate its expansion, the company has formed a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation to establish NOAGE International. This joint venture leverages Mitsubishi Corporation's global network and deep understanding of regional regulations and will contribute to enhancing HIMEDIC's service capabilities—particularly through the development and application of tools such as a real-time AI translation system designed for medical consultations—with the promotion of medical tourism at its core.

Furthermore, as part of its goal to maximize business opportunities across Asia, HIMEDIC has begun negotiating partnerships with global industry leaders—such as Siemens and GE in medical imaging and Hitachi in the field of proton therapy. If successful, these new partnerships would enable HIMEDIC to provide foreign medical institutions with a complete package that extends to the maintenance of advanced medical equipment, reinforcing its position as a fully integrated platform.

Through strategic partnerships, access to cutting-edge medical and diagnostic technologies and continuous innovation in health care services, HIMEDIC has established a comprehensive blueprint for developing advanced oncology screening and treatment centers across Asia. As the company starts to support international governments and hospitals in strengthening their national capabilities, it would be no surprise to see countries like Vietnam make significant progress in lowering cancer mortality rates in the coming years.

For more details, explore their website at: https://en.no-age.com

Alternatively, you can learn more at https://www.resorttrust.co.jp/english/

All interviews were conducted by The Worldfolio and can be found at www.theworldfolio.com.

This report has been paid for by a third party. The views and opinions expressed are not those of Newsweek and are not an endorsement of the products, services or persons mentioned.