At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything.

Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal.

Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.

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Job Function

Communications & Corporate/External Affairs

Job Sub Function

Government Affairs & Policy

Job Category

People Leader


All Job Posting Locations:
Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan

Job Description

About Innovative Medicine

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Learn more at

We are searching for the best talent for [Head of GA&P IM Japan & APAC (Asia Pacific) Affairs].

Purpose

Asia Pacific is a dynamic and diverse region comprising some of the most critical markets for Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (J&J IM), including Japan, China, Australia, Korea, North Asia, and Southeast Asia/India.

Japan remains the largest APAC market and the third largest globally, with a sophisticated healthcare ecosystem under universal coverage.

However, the broader APAC region presents a complex mosaic of healthcare systems, policy environments, and market maturity levels, each requiring tailored engagement strategies.

Governments across APAC are increasingly focused on healthcare funding sustainability, equitable access, and the integration of innovative technologies. These priorities are driven by demographic shifts such as ageing populations, rising chronic disease burdens, and growing middle classes.

The region faces challenges in health equity, with significant out-of-pocket expenditures in lower-income countries and uneven access to advanced therapies.

The Government Affairs & Policy (GA&P) function plays a pivotal role in shaping external environments to support innovation and improve patient access.

This includes proactive engagement with policymakers, regulatory bodies, and industry associations within Japan and across APAC.

The function must navigate wide-ranging cost containment measures, geopolitical dynamics, and rapid policy shifts that demand agile and forward-looking strategies.

This position will primarily lead the GA&P function for Japan Innovative Medicine, with an additional focus on providing regional APAC insights to the APAC Leadership Team.

The regional scope entails working closely with other market GA&P Leaders to develop and execute strategic policy-shaping initiatives across APAC markets, ensuring alignment with J&J's global positions and amplifying the region's influence on global policy trends.

The role requires an executive who is a strategic thought leader, with deep experience in government affairs, strong business acumen, and the ability to challenge the status quo both internally and externally.

This leader will build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders, drive policy solutions, and partner with business and functional leaders to position J&J IM as a trusted healthcare innovator.

You will be responsible for

GA&P Japan Responsibilities, Include

Proactively work with both internal and external stakeholders on all legislative and regulatory matters from policy development, interpretation and implementation that are relevant to J&J in the market.

Spearheads and leads special initiatives across the enterprise to further J&J reputation in the market.
Lead and foster strategic stakeholder relationships with government and politicians, government agencies, industry groups, advocacy groups.

Drive thought leadership and maximize J&J impact in shaping the external environment by ensuring appropriate representation in and engagement with trade associations, advocacy organizations, international forums, non-traditional stakeholders.

Strategically build and strengthen J&J's credibility externally and J&J's seat at the table in key government initiatives and discussions

Develop an in-depth understanding of the drivers for each of the five key stakeholder groups: physicians, patients, providers, the payors and the policy makers.

The leader is expected to contribute to external landscape analysis from perspectives of government and policy impact in the development of business segments' short and long term strategy.

With understanding of business insights to prioritise government affairs and policy opportunities aligned to each TA's business growth and in strengthening J&J's reputation.

Provide advice and collaborate with business leaders and key functional leaders on governmental issues to develop contingent strategies business and or crisis management.

Monitor the internal and external environment to ensure corporate integrity is established and fostered consistently across the culture, products and services, leadership and all operational aspects of the business.

Oversee and develop a team of up to 10 professionals as a people manager,

Asia Pacific Regionally focused Key responsibilities include: (50% of scope est.)

Political Environment Scanning & Risk Mitigation Lead proactive monitoring of political and regulatory landscapes across Asia Pacific, identifying emerging risks and managing crises effectively.

This includes anticipating shifts in policy, geopolitical tensions, and healthcare reforms that may impact business operations.

Executive Counsel on Policy & Political Dynamics Provide strategic insights and guidance to the Asia Pacific Leadership Team (APLT) and senior stakeholders on regional and global policy developments.

This includes advising on issues such as intellectual property, trade sanctions, and bilateral relations—e.g., implications of US-China dynamics on APAC markets.

Engagement with Regional Coordination Bodies Represent J&J IM in above-market forums such as APEC and other influential regional platforms. Drive coordinated policy-shaping efforts and ensure alignment with broader industry and government initiatives.

Unified Global Representation Serve as the designated APAC point of contact for global Government Affairs & Policy teams, ensuring consistent messaging and strategic alignment with J&J's global positions.

Community of Practice Leadership Chair a cross-functional "community of practice" to cultivate GA&P talent across APAC.

Facilitate knowledge sharing, promote best practices, and identify operational efficiencies in collaboration with Market Access, Communications, and other relevant functions.

Qualifications / Requirements

The position requires an experienced leader with deep healthcare industry knowledge and proven ability in establishing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

The individual must have a proven track record of good performance and ability to manage individuals and project teams. 15+ years of relevant work experience, especially in healthcare-related industries is preferred.

The Leader Must

Have strong presence, outstanding interpersonal skills, excellent leadership and influencing skills, an established level of credibility and strong business acumen.

Demonstrate a mature, adaptive and flexible disposition to credibly and effectively interact with a range of senior level executives across the global business and broader market segment.

Have extensive experience in formulating and leading significant issues management and government relations
Be highly articulate, with excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Japanese.
Have ability to anticipate emerging issues of importance to the company and the sector, and to prioritize appropriately.

A deep knowledge of the industry regulatory & healthcare policy environment coupled with a strong ability to clearly articulate a plan that enables J&J to understand the risks, opportunities and implications of industry/government initiatives that may impact the business with strategies to manage issues both proactively and reactively.

Required Skills


Preferred Skills:
Advocacy Communications, Budget Management, Coaching, Controls Compliance, Corporate Communications Strategy, Corporate Management, Developing Others, Government Relations, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Negotiation, Performance Measurement, Public Affairs, Regulatory Development, Regulatory Environment, Relationship Building, Representing, Stakeholder Engagement, Tactical Planning

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