On April 1, 2012 JIRA was reborn as a ‘general incorporated association’ with the ability to conduct business activities autonomously and independently. Along with this, the Association’s full English name changed to the Japan Medical Imaging and Radiological Systems Industries Association; the familiar ‘JIRA’ acronym remains unchanged. Going forward, we will seek the healthy growth and expansion of the medical imaging and radiological systems industry within this new framework.
JIRA consists of member companies that develop, manufacture and sell diagnostic imaging equipment and systems such as medical X-ray equipment, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine equipment, ultrasound scanners, image processing systems, radiotherapy systems, and related products. Since its inauguration in 1967 as the ‘Japan Industries Association of Radiation Apparatus,’ the Association has continual developed along with Japan’s field of radiology. It is now an industrial association made up of some 176 member-companies (as of June 4, 2012) involved in the supply of radiological systems and related equipment and supplies.
Owing to Japan’s dwindling birthrate and aging population, not only has the balance between rising health care costs and burden sharing collapsed, many other problems have risen to the surface. As the circumstances surrounding the industry globalize, companies big and small find that they too are being called upon to consider the entire world as a sphere for their economic activities. Given these dramatic changes to its environment, JIRA has established the Global Diagnostic Imaging Healthcare IT & Radiation Therapy Trade Association (DITTA) together with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association's Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (NEMA-MITA), the European Coordination Committee of the Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry (COCIR), Canada's Medical Technology Companies (MEDEC) to deepen the relations with various government organizations, research, development, and educational institutions, and other industrial associations. As markets become evermore globalized, JIRA’s perspective will stress ‘from domestic to overseas.’ We will focus on the development of markets in emerging economies for our member companies by promoting the global harmonization of country-specific standards/regulations and by collecting information on market movements in developing countries.
I believe it is the mission of JIRA to promote a vitalized medical imaging and radiological systems industry and so contribute to the development of Japan’s medical device industry and to improvements in worldwide healthcare and QOL (Quality of Life). Along with asking you to look forward to the work of the new JIRA, I also ask for your continued understanding and support.
Japan Medical Imaging and Radiological Systems Industries Association
Chairman
Dr. Kenichi Komatsu
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