Japan to Help Hospitals Adopt Cloud-Based Medical Record Systems

The Japanese health ministry aims to bolster medical institutions that adopt cloud-based electronic medical record systems, which manage patient data online via external servers. In the upcoming fiscal year, which ends next March, the ministry will introduce a certification program for cloud-based systems with robust cybersecurity features. Early adoption subsidies will also be provided to medical facilities initiating such systems starting from fiscal 2027.

Electronic medical records encompass treatment histories, test results, and other data stored as electronic information to streamline sharing among medical institutions. As of June, 72.6 percent of clinics and 73.5 percent of hospitals with 199 or fewer beds had already embraced the technology. The government's objective is to ensure nearly all medical institutions utilize electronic medical records by 2030.

In larger hospitals with 200 or more beds, where the current adoption rate surpasses 80 percent, electronic data are frequently managed on servers installed within the hospital premises. This setup offers flexibility in configuring data input methods and other functionalities according to each institution's requirements. However, on-premises storage is deemed to pose a greater risk of cyberattacks due to the involvement of multiple external vendors in its maintenance and operation.