Biotechnology, which originated in the 1970's, has had a great impact on a broad range of areas, such as pharmaceuticals, the agricultural industry and the environment. It has also created various new businesses and products. In Japan, the promotion of the biotech industry has been developed with cooperation between the public and private sectors since December 2002, when the government announced its "Biotechnology Strategy Guidelines." In addition to the expansion of official assistance, expanding bio-venture companies and new entrants from outside industries have supported the Japanese biotech market.
The conversion of national universities into independent administrative institutions (effective from April 2004), greatly boosted the number of university spin-off ventures and also facilitated the flow of intellectual property to the business sector. In 2006, Japan's biotech market totaled 1.85 trillion yen ($22 billion), a 3.3% increase over the previous year (Nikkei BP Bio Center).
When biotech-related industries in Japan are broken down into separate life science sectors, medical & healthcare are at the top with a 32% share in numbers, followed by 28% for R&D related instruments & services and 10% for ag-bio & fisheries. A strong emphasis is placed on supporting regional concentrations within the industry, and biotech clusters have sprung up around Japan taking advantage of the traditional industrial and intellectual strengths of their locations. Major centers include the Kansai (the area centered on Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto with strengths in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health care and regenerative medicine), Kanto (the capitol region is strong in genomics and other areas and has major research centers in Chiba, Tokyo, Tsukuba, and Yokohama), and Hokkaido (the northern island is particularly strong in ag-bio, bio tools, and environmental biotech) clusters.
In Japan, the promotion of the biotech industry has been developed with cooperation between the public and private sectors since December 2002, when the government announced its "Biotechnology Strategy Guidelines." In addition to the expansion of official assistance, expanding bio-venture companies and new entrants from outside industries have supported the Japanese biotech market.
In addition to our participation in BioVision/BioSquare, JETRO will organize or participate in several international biotech events both in Japan and the U.S. in 2007.
In the U.S., JETRO will organize the Japan Pavilion at the BIO International Convention made up of some 50 Japanese exhibitors.
In Japan, JETRO will organize JETRO BIOLINK FORUM 2007, in conjunction with BioJapan 2007, in Yokohama, the port city just south of Tokyo. BIOLINK 2007 promises to be another excellent opportunity for leading-edge biotech firms and institutions from Japan and aboard to network and identify new business partners. Representatives from European and international biotech clusters and related companies/ organizations are especially encouraged to participate in this important event.
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and other countries. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan, helping small and medium-sized Japanese firms maximize their global export potential and facilitating business and economic cooperation in East Asia. In recent years, JETRO has placed a growing emphasis on fostering business activity in high-tech industries, such as biotechnology, by providing opportunities for business-matching and networking in Japan and abroad.
In Japan, JETRO organizes the annual conference JETRO BIOLINK FORUM in conjunction with Asia's largest biotech event, BioJapan. BIOLINK features symposiums, panel discussions and a networking event; last year's forum attracted upwards of 350 people from Japan and abroad.
In the US, JETRO has organized the Japan Pavilion at the annual Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Annual International Convention since 2003, to provide an opportunity for Japanese firms to showcase their innovative products, technologies and services at this key international biotech event.
In Europe, 2005 marked the first year for JETRO to organize a Japan Pavilion at BioVision, Europe's largest biotech event. This year's pavilion will include seven leading-edge Japanese bio-ventures from a range of fields who will be eager to discuss business tie-ups and introduce their latest products and services. We look forward to welcoming you to the Japan Pavilion!
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Taku Sato, Director
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
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Email: BIO2007@jetro.go.jp