Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Fujitsu Limited, and SoftBank Corp. have entered into a basic agreement to form a business alliance aimed at transforming Japan's healthcare system. The collaboration focuses on creating a healthcare platform to enhance sustainability by integrating medical and personal health data.
The alliance, announced on May 19, 2026, aims to curb healthcare costs by approximately 5 trillion yen. The companies plan to build a Japan-developed data platform for secure management and utilization of medical data, which will be combined with personal health data, all managed with individual consent.
The initiative seeks to improve individual health outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery by promoting behavioral changes and enabling advanced disease risk assessments. The platform will support the entire patient journey, from daily health management to medical consultations and ongoing treatment.
In light of Japan's aging population, where those aged 65 and older make up about 30% of the total population, the alliance aims to address rising medical and long-term care needs. The companies plan to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality by promoting data standardization and interoperability.
Fujitsu will lead the development of the data platform and AI tools, leveraging its expertise in healthcare data and computing technologies. SoftBank will focus on developing user apps and leveraging its extensive ecosystem to provide comprehensive health management solutions.
SMBC Group will promote the adoption of services through digital touchpoints and integrate healthcare with financial services, aiming to enhance value for users. The group plans to expand its Olive Healthcare service, which was initiated in partnership with SoftBank.
The alliance also aims to collaborate with healthcare providers and local governments to create a unified application platform. This platform will allow users to access diverse services while ensuring data security and sovereignty.
By targeting a user base of 60 million and aiming for adoption by 4,000 medical institutions, the companies expect to support the management of healthcare institutions and contribute to the sustainability of Japan's healthcare system.