Notice of Press Conference Following Cabinet Meeting by Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Ueno

News Highlights

On May 11, 2026, Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Ueno held a press conference following a Cabinet meeting. During the conference, it was suggested that the ministry would promote third-party succession as an alternative to closure or dissolution for medical institutions facing succession issues. Emphasis was placed on the importance of early preparation, with理事長・院長 (Chairman/Director and President/Head Physician) looking ahead 5 to 10 years from around the age of 60, and the utilization of specialized advisors focused on the medical industry.

M&A Medical Editorial Department’s Perspective

The press conference following the Cabinet meeting by Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Ueno holds the potential to create a tailwind for third-party succession for medical institution managers struggling with a lack of successors. The stance of policy-wise supporting third-party succession, not merely as “closure or dissolution” but also from the perspective of maintaining regional healthcare, heightens expectations for specialized intermediaries like M&A Medical. In particular, preparation over a 5 to 10-year span starting around age 60 is indispensable for smoothly advancing due diligence and condition negotiations in the M&A process, underscoring the importance of collaborating with specialists from an early stage. This is expected to lead to the realization of higher-quality succession schemes that consider the succession of intangible assets such as philosophy and community contribution, rather than just business sales.

Points Raised by This News

• The mention of third-party succession in the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare’s press conference suggests public support for medical institution M&A.
• Promoting third-party succession as an alternative to “closure or dissolution” reflects expectations for maintaining regional healthcare.
• Preparation over a 5 to 10-year span starting around age 60 offers strategic insights for increasing the probability of M&A success.
• The utilization of industry-specific advisors emphasizes the importance of ensuring expertise in complex medical institution M&A.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• What specific third-party succession schemes are envisioned by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare’s remarks?
• What specific institutions or professionals with what qualifications are recommended as “specialized advisors”?
• What specific M&A preparations should be undertaken during the preparation period starting around age 60?

If You’re Thinking “Should I Consult?”

What are your specific thoughts regarding a lack of successors and future business succession for your institution? The value of considering third-party succession as an alternative to closure or dissolution is increasing, even from the perspective of maintaining regional healthcare. If the Chairman/Director and President/Head Physician is around 60 years old and looking ahead to business succession in 5 to 10 years, now is the perfect time to start consulting with specialists. Won’t you join us in considering the best succession scheme for your institution, along with advisors well-versed in medical M&A?

M&A Medical (CentralMedience Inc.) supports the business succession of medical corporations, hospitals, and clinics on a full success-fee basis as a certified M&A support institution by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency. Consultations are accepted with strict confidentiality. Free consultations are available here.