Drugs & Biotechnology

There are 75 members participating in the organization. Members are R & D oriented pharmaceutical companies that aim to contribute to the society through developing new drugs. It consists of 14 committees and evaluating committees.
http://www.jpma.or.jp/english/

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company

Top-ranked pharmaceutical manufacturer in Japan. Leads the industry in the sphere of genome research. It has its own marketing branches in Europe and the United States.
http://www.takeda.co.jp/index-e.html

Astellas Pharma

Created in April 2005 through a merger between Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. Nation’s third –largest drug maker.
http://www.astellas.com/global/

DAIICHI SANKYO

Second-largest drug maker in Japan. Sankyo Co. and Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co. integrated their operations in September 2005.
http://www.daiichisankyo.co.jp/eng/

SANKYO

Leading maker of cardiovascular medications.
http://www.sankyo.co.jp/english/

Daiichi Pharmaceutical

Active in the field of infectious disease drugs. Acquired the pharmaceutical department of Yukijirushi (Snow Brand).
http://www.daiichipharm.co.jp/english/

Eisai

Excels in circulatory and respiratory lines. Globally marketing dementia and ulcer drugs. Besides Japan, it has research facilities in Europe and U.S. as well.
http://www.eisai.co.jp/index-e.html

Chugai Pharmaceutical

Major manufacturer of prescription drugs. Moved under the Roche group of Switzerland. Excels in cancer, kidney and bones lines.
http://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/hc/chugai_top_en.jsp

Taisho Pharmaceutical

Top-ranked pharmaceutical company of nonprescription drugs. Maker of nutrient drink “lipovitan D”, source of earnings. Features strong sales network nation wide with direct sales to pharmacies and drugstores.
http://www.taisho.co.jp/outline/index-e.htm

Mitsubishi Pharma

Established in October 2001 through the merger between Mitsubishi-Tokyo Pharmaceuticals and Welfide Corporation. Concentrating in developing news drugs.
http://www.m-pharma.co.jp/cgi-bin/eindex.cgi

Shionogi

Major pharmaceutical company highly reliant of antibiotics. Completed spin-off of drug wholesale subsidiary. Has strong marketing capability.
http://www.shionogi.co.jp/index e.html

Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma

Dainippon Pharmaceutical and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals merged on October 1,2005, to create Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma. Concentrate its R&D resources in diabetes and CNS (central nervous system) areas.
http://www.ds-pharma.co.jp/english/index.html

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

One of the central government offices in Japan. Created in January 2001 through the integration between Ministry of Health and Welfare and Ministry of Labor. Deals with medical administration, labor policy, social insurance, social security, pension and so on.
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

One of the central government offices in Japan. Newly created in January 2001 as the successor of the abolished Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Aims at strengthening private economy, smooth development of external economic relation and to secure the steady supply of mineral and energy resources.
http://www.meti.go.jp/english/

The National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS)

One of seven research institutes operated under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. It is responsible for conducting basic research to ensure the quality, efficacy and safety of wide range of products such as food and drugs.
http://www.nihs.go.jp/

The Federation of Japan Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association

Established in 1941 as the sole nationwide organization to ensure the stable supply of drugs. Consists of 144 wholesale companies organized by members of regional cooperative societies.
http://www.jpwa.or.jp/jpwa/index-e.html