The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japanese: こうせいろうどうしょう; English: Ministry of Health, Labour, an Welfare) is the Japanese central ministry responsible for medical and health, labor and social welfare protection. The main responsibilities of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare include Japan's national health, medical insurance, medical service provision, pharmaceutical and food safety, social insurance and social security, labor and employment, and social assistance for disadvantaged groups.