Fukuoka Governor Seitaro Hattori said the prefecture would temporarily freeze One Health projects that have not yet begun while an administrative reform council reviews the policy. One Health is intended to address human, animal and environmental health together, but the prefecture has faced questions over whether some spending was necessary or appropriately connected to the concept. Fukuoka allocated approximately ¥5.8 billion to related initiatives in its initial budgets over the past five fiscal years. The reform council, comprising experts and other members, will examine the programme as a whole. Hattori said the administration would reconsider the initiatives from the ground up and avoid launching additional projects until the review is completed. He also acknowledged that applying the One Health label too broadly had created public doubt and said the policy would be refocused on core areas, including infectious disease control and antimicrobial resistance. The prefecture is already building a One Health Center in Miyama City at an estimated total cost of approximately ¥20 billion. Hattori said the facility’s name could be changed if the local community requested it and sufficient support emerged. The move signals a narrower approach to future One Health spending while projects already underway remain outside the temporary freeze. Source: NHK News; KBC News; FBS News; TNC News;FNN News
Photo: TNC News
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