Japan makes significant contribution in global healthcare through technology and support

Japan's electronics company Toshiba is providing sanitary solutions.

In Yokosuka's plant factory, it provides two progressive technologies to keep antiseptic condition.

It includes Electrolyzed Function Water to kill germs workers bring in. It has strong bactericidal and deodorizing power but safe to the human body. This water is produced in the factory.

The second technology is the photo catalyst called "RENECAT", a visible-light photo catalyst with deodorant and anti-microbial qualities.

The most common existing photo catalyst needs ultraviolet ray to make it work. But RENECAT can work by indoor lighting.

These technologies are already used abroad.

Kenji Sasaki, General Manager, Materials and Devices Division, Toshiba Corporation, "We are having try to use RENECAT and Electrolyzed Function Water in Singapore. Also, when floods occurred in Thailand in 2012 we used RENECAT on the wall in an elementary school in the effort of our CSR (corporate social responsibility). And, we had a good reputation that it could keep sanitary condition."

The usage place of RENECAT is steadily spreading.

RENECAT is put on the wall in this childcare center. It's not necessary to spray repeatedly and excels in convenience.

A nursery school teacher said, "Since this establishment seasonal virus like influenza or norovirus don't go around here and it's rare in this kind of childcare center. Also the smell is not so strong even if we change diapers of babies."

Today, 60 per cent of population in India's Mumbai city lives in slums. The city suffers from poor public health for a large portion of underprivileged population.

Recently, the Indo-French optometry students exchange program, "Eye Camp" was organized. This annual campaign was developed in 2009 by Lotus College of optometry in Mumbai, designed to deliver primary eye care services for the underprivileged population in Mumbai.

The optometry students from ICO, International College of Optometry France travelled to India for 15 days for the exchange of knowledge and culture, through the activities with the students of Lotus College.

Students worked together to examine, prescribe spectacles, screen for ocular diseases and referred to the hospital for further evaluation.

Prema Chande,Principal, Lotus College of optometry, said, "80 per cent of blindness is avoidable. so by doing a protocol like if you can see today we are just not doing refraction and giving the glasses, but they are also screening for different eye disorders, which are all avoidable blindness conditions. At the end of each event, we see about 1,500 to 2,000 patients receives eye care services at free orconcessional costs. We'd like to thank for Hoya for their continuous support for the program."

Japanese spectacle lens maker, Hoya sponsored the event including about 500 pairs of glasses given to the patients. It also provides the backup for the student's transportation and the equipments.

Deven Patil, President, HOYA Lens India Pvt. Ltd., said, "50 per cent of the Indian population probably needs vision collection, but either because of non availability of access to vision care or affordability, just about less than 15 per cent of the people are really going in and having their vision collection done. As we see HOYA in this circumstance we are very happy to participate to the event like this, which is all about creating and building awareness about eye care."

Chande further said, "I think our students are learning, our practitioners are training, we are delivering eye care services, I think it's a win-win situation for both for optometry school as well as the industry and the community.

Many Japanese companies are involved in social campaigns in India and other parts of Asia.