Health and Medical Care
Telephone Talk between Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide and Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates
January 12, 2021
On Jan 12, commencing at 8:35 a.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. SUGA Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan, held a telephone talk with Mr. William (Bill) Henry Gates III, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (the Gates Foundation). The overview is as follows.
- Mr. Gates expressed his gratitude for the leadership of the Japanese Government in the global response to the COVID-19 and for the contribution of the Japanese Government to global health including Japan’s financial assistance to the international frameworks including Gavi. He also stated his expectation for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit which will be held this year.
- Prime Minister SUGA expressed his respect for the Gates Foundation's contribution in the field of global health and explained Japan's intention for international cooperation toward achieving Universal Health Coverage with a view to “leaving no one’s health behind”, guided by the principle of “human security”.
[Note] Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
UHC means ensuring affordable access to high-quality basic health services for all people whenever they need them throughout their lives.