World NTD Day 2026 Webinar Archive | NTDs Youth Japan

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/ZBzH_hofcw0 (Japanese Only)

January 30th marks the World Health Organization (WHO) designated World NTD Day. In 2026, under the global theme "Unite, Act, Eliminate," the Japan Executive Committee hosted a high-level webinar to deepen the understanding of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and catalyze action toward their eradication.

NTDs consist of 21 infectious diseases that disproportionately affect over 1.5 billion people in impoverished regions. This report summarizes the archived webinar, which features insights from global health leaders and showcases how cutting-edge technology—such as AI, drones, and mobile medical devices—is revolutionizing the frontline of disease control.

Executive Summary of Sessions

1. Strategic Messages from Global Health Leaders

Prominent figures from the Japanese government and international NGOs discussed Japan's pivotal role in the global health landscape:

Dr. Osamu Kunii (CEO, GHIT Fund): Focused on the importance of R&D investment for new tools and medicines.
Mr. Junichi Takahashi (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare): Outlined Japan's diplomatic and technical contributions to international health cooperation.
Mr. Daisuke Imoto (Director, DNDi Japan): Emphasized the necessity of patient-centric drug development.

2. The 3rd NTD Creative Contest Award Ceremony

Under the slogan "Eliminating Disease through Creativity," the ceremony celebrated young creators who used art and digital media to raise awareness. This initiative aims to engage the next generation in the fight against NTDs through social media advocacy and visual storytelling.

3. Special Session: "Next-Generation NTD Control – AI & Tech Transformation"

This session highlighted how Japanese startups are bridging the gap between high-tech innovation and field-level implementation:

SORA Technology (Mr. Masahiro Yamaguchi): Demonstrated the use of fixed-wing drones and AI to map larval habitats, optimizing malaria and NTD prevention efforts.
OUI Inc. (Mr. Shintaro Nakayama): Introduced a smartphone-attached diagnostic device that allows non-specialists to conduct ophthalmic exams in remote areas, targeting diseases like trachoma.
Panel Discussion: Explored the future synergy between digital health data and traditional healthcare infrastructure to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Conclusion

The 2026 webinar underscored that while NTDs remain a significant global challenge, the "制圧" (elimination) of these diseases is within reach for our generation. By combining political will with transformative technologies like AI and drones, the global community can effectively "Unite, Act, and Eliminate."