For over 20 years, Norikazu Takahata has been involved with private medical organisations and is thus well-versed in Japan’s social security system, with a particular focus on the medical aspect. Drawing on his profound experience in working with multiple patient groups while representing the interests of parents, he is responsible for making policy proposals for healthcare systems surrounding paediatric care, and maintains an extensive network of doctors, healthcare professionals, patient groups, Diet members, and local politicians. Norikazu is a member of the Kanagawa Prefectural Vaccination Research Group, and has experience acting as a reference to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s Council on Novel Influenza Measures and its Vaccination Subcommittee, amongst others.

He graduated from Chiba University’s Faculty of Law, Politics & Economics with a degree in Economics.