IBM, Fujitsu & More Partner To Use AI in Japan’s Healthcare

Japan’s healthcare sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation as leading technology and financial companies collaborate to build secure, AI-driven healthcare ecosystems. 

Initiatives led by Fujitsu, IBM Japan, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC) and SoftBank Corp are focusing on strengthening data sovereignty, improving interoperability and enhancing healthcare delivery through cloud and AI technologies. 

By integrating medical and personal health data securely across institutions, these collaborations aim to support sustainable healthcare systems, reduce operational burdens on medical professionals and enable more personalised, patient-centric care in Japan.

Cloud platforms for secure healthcare data 

Fujitsu and IBM Japan are developing a sovereign cloud platform designed specifically for healthcare institutions in Japan. 

This platform aims to support the operation of both companies’ electronic health record (EHR) solutions, while ensuring high standards of data sovereignty, security and operational continuity. 

By securely integrating medical data across multiple institutions, the initiative provides hospitals and healthcare providers with reliable cloud-based medical information systems that meet domestic data governance requirements.

The collaboration also supports Japan’s broader healthcare digital transformation goals by creating a common infrastructure for medical data utilisation. 

With this platform, healthcare organisations can streamline administrative workflows, improve interoperability and enhance access to patient information. 

The initiative aims to reduce operational burdens on healthcare professionals and create a more efficient, patient-focused healthcare ecosystem.

AI-driven healthcare

A key part of the partnership involves the joint use of AI technologies to improve hospital operations and clinical support services. 

Fujitsu and IBM Japan plan to leverage AI-powered tools for tasks such as generating clinical documentation, preparing nursing reports and automating DPC coding for medical fee claims. 

These technologies are expected to reduce administrative workloads and allow healthcare professionals to dedicate more time to patient care and medical decision-making.

In addition, the companies are exploring advanced healthcare and pharmaceutical use cases, including clinical trial optimisation and cross-institutional research collaboration. 

By securely integrating healthcare data with patient consent, the partnership aims to identify suitable candidates for clinical trials and improve the efficiency of clinical research and drug development. 

Through collaborations with university hospitals and national medical centres, Fujitsu and IBM Japan seek to expand AI-driven healthcare innovation and move toward more personalised, patient-centric healthcare services in the future.

A healthcare platform for sustainable care

Fujitsu is also collaborating with SMBC and SoftBank to develop a Japan-based healthcare platform to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the country’s universal healthcare system. 

The partnership aims to focus on creating a secure data platform that integrates medical data and personal health information based on individual consent, while ensuring data sovereignty through domestic data centres and cloud infrastructure. 

By enabling secure interoperability between healthcare institutions, government systems and private-sector services, the initiative seeks to support more efficient healthcare delivery and improve access to advanced medical and preventive care services.

The alliance also aims to establish a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem that supports the entire patient journey, from daily wellness management and preventive care to treatment and post-treatment follow-up. 

By integrating AI-powered applications, the companies plan to promote healthier lifestyles, improve disease risk assessment and reduce inefficiencies such as duplicate testing, interrupted treatments and preventable disease progression. 

“I am truly delighted by this announcement,” says Takashi Kitayama, VP, Head of SMBC Group Unit, Global Account Director, on LinkedIn.

“The collaboration in the healthcare sector between the SMBC Group, Fujitsu and SoftBank is a historic initiative.

“We are taking a new step forward for the future of healthcare in Japan.

“I’ve been involved in this project from the very beginning, so it’s very moving for me.”

AI, data integration and digital healthcare innovation

As part of the initiative, the three companies are set to collaborate in the development of app-based AI agents, designed to function as personalised health partners for individuals. 

These AI-driven services aim to securely utilise medical and personal health data, shared only with user consent, to provide tailored health recommendations, support ongoing care management and improve healthcare accessibility through a unified digital platform. 

The alliance also supports Japan’s healthcare digital transformation agenda by promoting data standardisation, interoperability and integration with public systems such as the Nationwide Healthcare Information Platform and My Number Portal.

Each company is set to contribute specialised expertise to accelerate the initiative’s deployment and scalability. 

SMBC Group aims to integrate healthcare and financial services through digital channels such as Olive, while expanding healthcare-related payment and wellness services.

Fujitsu will lead the development of the healthcare data platform, sovereign cloud infrastructure and AI technologies, drawing on its expertise in healthcare-focused large language models and medical data governance. 

SoftBank will oversee the development of user-facing applications and domestically operated AI services, using platforms like LINE, Yahoo! JAPAN, and the PayPay ecosystem to expand adoption. 

Together, the companies aim to scale the healthcare infrastructure to approximately 60 million users and 4,000 medical institutions, supporting both improved healthcare quality and long-term system sustainability in Japan.