Biotechnology

Japan has one of the most developed biotechnology sectors in the world, as evidenced by the high number of patents filed. Although the number of bio venture start-ups peaked in 2006, several foreign firms are now trying to enter the market. Moreover, the government is supporting the sector’s development and has passed several laws to assist it; it is being viewed as a national strategy. Find out more about Japan's biotechnology sector below.

About Biotechnology

With an ever-increasing number of bio-ventures and the establishment of a new ecosystem in the Japanese biotech field, this sector offers many opportunities for European SME companies.

Bioinformatics

With Asia’s largest bioinformatics database located in Japan, the sector will be of an increasing importance, especially with its application to the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

Biopharmaceuticals

Japan is the third largest pharmaceutical market in the world, and the biologically active substances (biopharmaceuticals) are considered to be the driving force behind innovation in this industry.

Biotechnology in Agriculture

In 2020, the Japanese agricultural biotechnology market was valued at about 615 billion yen. Japan remains one of the world’s largest per-capita importers of food and feed produced using modern biotechnologies.

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EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

Joint venture established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and the Japanese Government (METI) for promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan.