Japan's public sector is turning to the private sector to help slow the rapid growth in the nation's health care spending.
Faced with a rapidly graying population that's projected to push up heath care spending by more than 50 percent in the decade through 2025, the economy ministry is leading efforts for governments to draw on the expertise of private companies.
While projects are small so far, some involve the nation's mega-banks and listed companies with national reach. They're also part of an emerging global trend in "pay for success financing" contracts and "social impact bonds", which are estimated to have grown to more than $320 million (¥34.88 billion) in worldwide funding.