Topic: 2025 – Vaccine Access and Distribution
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Harpreet Kaur
In many regions of the world, unequal access to vaccines continues to pose a major threat to global health security. Low and middle-income countries often face barriers like limited cold-chain infrastructure, shortages of trained healthcare workers, and inconsistent supply chains, which delay vaccination campaigns and leave vulnerable populations unprotected. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these disparities became clear when some nations struggled to secure doses while others received high coverage. Japan recognizes that global vaccine distribution remains uneven and that strengthening access is essential for preventing future pandemics and meeting WHO immunization targets.
Japan has made significant progress in improving vaccine access domestically through coordinated national policies, transparent public communication, and strong logistical planning. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare oversaw a nationwide vaccination campaign that included mass vaccination centers, workplace vaccination programs, and support for Japanese nationals living abroad. Japan’s vaccination plan focused on safety checks, working closely with local governments, and building public trust, which helped many people get vaccinated even though the rollout started slowly. At the same time, Japan has played an active role internationally by contributing to COVAX, supporting vaccine development through global partnerships, and investing in supply-chain strengthening and cold-chain expansion in low-resource settings. These efforts reflect Japan’s broader commitment to universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, and equitable access to essential medical technologies.
The Nation of Japan remains committed to advancing equitable vaccine distribution as a core component of global health security. Japan will continue collaborating with delegates to strengthen supply chains, expand regional manufacturing capacity, and support evidence-based immunization strategies. By sharing practices from its own vaccination campaigns and investing in resilient health systems, Japan aims to ensure that all countries can access life-saving vaccines.
