The Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) under the Japanese Ministry of Health and Labour Welfare determines the official price and pricing system (for any changes) of drugs and medical devices. Effective ways for them to keep healthcare expenditure low in the face of Japan's aging society and the development of new, high-priced technologies are of increasing interest and importance. Since 2016, the Council has implemented economic evaluations on a trial basis to address this concern (Shiroiwa et al).

The Special Committee on Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation, a subcommittee within the Chuikyo comprised of representatives from "healthcare payers [...], health care professionals [...], and public interest groups (e.g. academics)" as well as non-voting  industry representatives and health economists, have discussed and built consensus on the use of economic evaluations for future re-pricing of drugs, medical devices, as well as interventions using expensive medical devices (by 2018). This Chuikyo-approved guideline is required when manufacturers and other groups submit cost-effectiveness analyses to the council (Shiroiwa et al).

Source: Shiroiwa, Takeru, et al. "Development of an official guideline for the economic evaluation of drugs/medical devices in Japan." Value in Health 20.3 (2017): 372-378.