Yoko MUTO, MPH

Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Global Health Policy Research,
Bureau of Global Health Cooperation,
Japan Institute for Health Security(JIHS), Tokyo, Japan

AREA OF EXPERTISE

Public Health

MESSAGE

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for global health strategies. The accelerating impacts of global climate change are presenting new challenges to public health. By approaching these challenges from a global health perspective, we aim to contribute to evidence-based policymaking that promotes sustainable and equitable public health solutions worldwide.

Narrative CV

Yoko Muto is a Japanese public health researcher with a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and a professional background that spans pharmaceutical practice, health promotion, and global health policy. Born in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, she began her academic journey at Kyoto University, where she specialized in contemporary media and cultural studies with a particular focus on gender.

Her transition into the healthcare field was motivated by a personal experience involving a family member’s rare disease. This led her to join MSD K.K., the Japanese subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., where she worked as a Medical Representative from 2001 to 2015. In the first half of her tenure, she was responsible for promoting a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including antimicrobials and treatments for non-communicable diseases, primarily at core regional hospitals in Nagoya City. In the latter half, she supported the launch of a new diabetes medication at major hospitals specializing in diabetes in Tokyo.

Her experience in pharmaceutical sales sparked a deeper interest in upstream health interventions, particularly disease prevention. This led her to a role in a company offering health-related certification programs, where she worked in marketing. However, she recognized a critical gap: health information often fails to reach individuals who are not already health-conscious. This realization prompted her to pursue graduate studies in public health.

At Teikyo University’s School of Public Health, she focused on community-based care systems, inspired by her volunteer work at local senior activity centers. Her interactions with international students highlighted the importance of learning from diverse healthcare systems, and she actively engaged in local government initiatives, contributing to health policy development both as a student and as a resident.

After earning her MPH, Muto joined the Institute for Global Health Policy Research at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), where she managed international research projects and coordinated seminars with global health leaders, including representatives from WHO and other academic institutions. Her responsibilities included project management, stakeholder coordination, and policy-relevant research dissemination.

In recent years, her research has focused on the epidemiology of post-COVID-19 conditions (Long COVID), conducting cohort studies and contributing to academic publications. She is currently involved in the analysis and publication of accumulated data from these studies. In parallel, she continues to contribute to local public health policy through her role in Koto City’s health promotion, dietary education, and cancer control planning committees.

Muto’s career reflects a consistent commitment to bridging clinical practice, public engagement, and academic research, with a particular emphasis on equity, prevention, and global collaboration.

Curriculum Vitae (Detailed)

Yoko MUTO, MPH

A public health specialist and researcher working in the field of global health. Much of her recent research has consisted of longitudinal cohort studies of post COVID-19 conditions (Long COVID). She earned a master's degree in public health from Teikyo University. Before entering a career in public health, she worked as a medical representative for a pharmaceutical company. She was born in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.

Position

Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Global Health Policy Research, Bureau of Global Health Cooperation, Japan Institute for Health Security

Career

Present-2022	Senior Research Fellow, Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS), Tokyo, Japan. Formerly National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan ・Conducted cohort studies of post-COVID-19 condition (Long Covid) ・Published a paper in international journals and presented findings at domestic conferences
2022-2019	Specially Appointed Researcher, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tokyo, Japan ・Managed research projects funded by national or international agencies ・Coordinated interdisciplinary teams and ensured timely delivery of research milestones.
2016-2015	Marketing and Sales Planner, DRP, CO., LTD., Tokyo, Japan ・Managed the planning and implementation of health-related certification exams.
2015-2001	Medical Representative MSD K.K. (the Japanese subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.),Japan ・Assigned to major regional hospitals in Nagoya City from 2001 to 2007, focusing on promoting pharmaceutical products across multiple therapeutic areas. ・From 2007 in Tokyo, served as a specialized Medical Representative for diabetes treatment, covering key hospitals in Tokyo to support the launch and market expansion of a new diabetes drug.

Education

2001	Bachelor of Arts in Humanities Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
2019	Master of Public Health Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan

Research Activities

Present-2022	Conducting epidemiological research on post COVID-19 condition (Long COVID), including data analysis and public health implications.
Present-2019	Engaged in the development and study of a data platform to support the health of refugees and migrants, focusing on accessibility and equity in healthcare.
2019-2018	Conducted research on middle-aged and older adults’ volunteer activities using longitudinal survey data from Japan.

Social Activities

2024	Reappointed as a committee member for the formulation of updated versions of Koto City’s Health Promotion, Dietary Education, and Cancer Control Promotion Plans.
2023-2020	Acted as a liaison council member for the implementation and coordination of Koto City’s Health Promotion, Dietary Education, and Cancer Control Promotion Plans.
2019	Participated as a member of the liaison council for the second phase of Koto City’s Health Promotion Plan.
2018	Served as a committee member for the formulation of Koto City’s Health Promotion Plan, Dietary Education Promotion Plan, and Cancer Control Promotion Plan.