Inside Japan’s HS Treatment System With the Doctor Who Wrote the Guidelines-Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Meet Dr. Koremasa Hayama, associate professor at Nihon University and the key opinion leader for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) in Japan. Dr. Hayama was the first physician to write HS treatment guidelines in Japan, and every month he sees dozens of patients whose lives have been deeply impacted by delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and lack of awareness. His message is clear: 👉 Early diagnosis matters. 👉 Waiting makes HS harder to treat. 👉 New treatments are changing what’s possible, but timing is everything. Tomorrow morning, we release our full interview filmed at Nihon University in Tokyo, where Dr. Hayama shares: • How HS is viewed and treated in Japan • Why so many patients are diagnosed too late • The role of biologics and evolving treatment guidelines • Why getting to the right doctor early can change everything If you or someone you love is living with HS, this conversation matters. 🎥 Full interview drops tomorrow morning. Follow along and turn on notifications so you don’t miss it. 💜 Awareness leads to earlier diagnosis. 🌍 Earlier diagnosis leads to better outcomes. _______________ ABOUT HS WARRIOR STORIES HS Warrior Stories is a global patient advocacy and education platform produced by J2 Creative Holdings, the media company founded by husband-and-wife team Jillian and Jeremy. What began as long-form storytelling has grown into a multi-layered initiative that amplifies patient voices, documents lived experience across cultures, and collaborates with medical professionals to improve awareness, education, and care for people living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Our work spans patient interviews, international story collection, educational conversations with clinicians, and partnerships with healthcare leaders. The goal is simple but urgent: reduce stigma, shorten the path to diagnosis, and help build a more informed and compassionate global HS ecosystem. ABOUT HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA (HS) Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a chronic, painful, auto-inflammatory disease with no known cure. It is widely misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and frequently dismissed by medical professionals who lack HS-specific training. Although HS affects millions of people worldwide, education and awareness remain limited. Patients and caregivers are often forced to become their own advocates while navigating years of misdiagnosis, ineffective treatments, and emotional isolation. HS Warrior Stories exists to bridge the gap between patient reality and medical understanding. WHY THIS PLATFORM EXISTS We believe meaningful change happens when patient experience and medical expertise meet. HS Warrior Stories does not replace clinical care. It complements it by providing: • Long-form, patient-led narratives that reveal real-world impact • Cross-cultural perspectives often missing from research and education • Direct dialogue with dermatologists, surgeons, researchers, and advocates • High-quality, professionally produced content that healthcare leaders can trust This platform is built to serve patients, caregivers, clinicians, and partners committed to advancing HS education globally. ABOUT THE FOUNDERS Jeremy is an HS patient and an award-winning photographer, videographer, audio engineer, and musician whose work has supported major international productions. His lived experience informs the authenticity and care behind every story. Jillian brings decades of executive leadership in operations, strategy, and communications across government, corporate, and consulting environments. She leads the platform’s strategic direction, partnerships, and global growth. Together, they combine lived experience with professional media production and executive-level program building to create work that is credible, scalable, and impactful. Global stories. Real voices. Better understanding. LEARN MORE Website: https://www.jillianandjeremy.com/hs Contact and Partnerships: [email protected]