Japan’s Bio-Economy Push: A Future Driven by Innovation and Global Collaboration

At BioJapan 2024, Yoshiaki Tsukamoto, Executive Director of the Japan Bioindustry Association (JBA), discussed Japan’s biotechnology sector. He highlighted Japan’s strategies to strengthen its Bio-Economy, focusing on innovation and global competitiveness. Tsukamoto emphasized BioJapan as a platform for open innovation. He noted the importance of international partnerships, especially with Taiwan, the United States, and Europe. Tsukamoto also shared insights into Japan’s progress in regenerative medicine, cell therapy, precision medicine, and digital health.

Promoting Biotechnology Policy Through International Cooperation

One of the JBA’s key missions is to work with the government to prioritize the biotech sector. Tsukamoto explained, “Since the Japanese government launched its Bio-Economy Strategy in 2019, the policy has been continuously strengthened, with a goal to achieve significant milestones by 2030.” The strategy aims to foster innovation and boost Japan’s global competitiveness through international cooperation.

In this regard specifically, Tsukamoto elaborated on the organization’s role. “We want BioJapan to be more than just an exhibition—it’s about creating a space for innovation. It’s an opportunity for universities, startups, and big companies to connect, collaborate, and push new ideas forward.” Through observing the direction of governmental policies and strategies, he stressed that participation from companies in Taiwan, Europe, and the U.S. is essential for advancing international partnerships.

With this convening act of collaboration in mind, this year’s BioJapan saw a record 1,500 companies participating, with over 22,000 scheduled business meetings. Here, these discussions are expected to lay the foundation for innovative technologies and new collaborations. Through these activities, the JBA hopes to encourage Japanese businesses to partner with international innovators, particularly startups in Taiwan, to drive global growth in biotechnology.

Advances in Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy–Addressing Clinical Applications and Regulatory Challenges

One of the key areas seeing rapid growth in Japan’s healthcare sector is regenerative medicine, where significant advancements are now making their way into real-world applications. In lieu of the commercialization of the area, Tsukamoto shared that “Japan’s regenerative medicine technologies have been approved by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and are gradually entering the market.” This approval means that more regenerative medicine products will be introduced and have a larger role in clinical applications.

Given these strides forward, he shared his optimism about the future of this discipline, highlighting government efforts to support the growth of regenerative medicine, such as the establishment of new centers in Kawasaki and Kashiwa, which will further accelerate the development and commercialization of these technologies. These centers will not only be research hubs but will also play a crucial role in driving the industry forward.

In terms of cell therapy, Tsukamoto noted the primary challenge lies in promoting clinical applications and adapting the regulatory environment. However, he remains enthusiastic about its future, believing that with more investment, cell therapy will become a powerful tool in treating cancer and other difficult diseases.

Breakthroughs in Precision and Digital Health Technologies

Precision medicine is another focal point of Japan’s pharmaceutical sector. At BioJapan 2024, nearly all major pharmaceutical companies and startups showcased and discussed relevant technologies. Tsukamoto said, “Precision medicine is gradually entering the commercialization phase, and as the technology matures, its commercial potential will be further realized.”

Digital health technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted innovations, are also gaining momentum in Japan. An increasing number of digital health companies participated in BioJapan, signaling Japan’s breakthroughs in this field. Tsukamoto predicts that digital health will play an increasingly important role in the global healthcare market, particularly in disease prediction and personalized treatment plans.

Moreover, Tsukamoto emphasized the open innovation strategies of major Japanese pharmaceutical companies like Daiichi Sankyo, Astellas, and Takeda. He explained, “About 15 years ago, these companies began adopting open innovation models, collaborating with startups and expanding their R&D efforts beyond internal laboratories to work with external partners.” These strategies have significantly enhanced the global competitiveness of Japan’s pharmaceutical industry.

Japan-Taiwan Collaboration: Driving Biotech Innovation

In his interview, Tsukamoto specifically mentioned Taiwan’s potential in biotechnology innovation, particularly its thriving startup ecosystem. He believes that collaboration between Japan and Taiwan is critical to advancing both countries’ biotechnology development. Tsukamoto has visited Taiwan several times and participated in the BIO Asia-Taiwan conference. He remarked, “Taiwan has many emerging startups, and we hope to facilitate more partnerships between Japanese companies and Taiwanese startups, as this will yield new innovations.”

Japan and Taiwan have already started collaborating in regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and digital health technologies. Tsukamoto emphasized, “Partnering with Taiwanese startups will help Japan speed up technology transfer and expand its global presence.” This cooperation could extend beyond Japan and Taiwan to include the U.S. and Europe.

Tsukamoto is confident in Japan’s biotechnology future, driven by innovation and international collaboration. With progress in regenerative medicine, precision medicine, and digital health, Japan is positioning itself as a key player in the global biotech market. Tsukamoto believes BioJapan will foster connections, helping Japan’s biotech sector tackle future challenges and seize opportunities through global partnerships.

Author

Bernice Lottering