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Thursday, 19 Apr 2012

Japanese citizens are protected by public medical insurance systems, which cover a large range of medical services. Japanese employees contribute directly to the insurance from their income, similar to UK National Insurance Contributions.

Healthcare

Healthcare and Medical Devices in Japan

Japan is the world’s second largest market for both healthcare and medical devices. With nearly 50% of medical devices being imported, Japan is open to innovative and high quality products and technologies.

Market overview

Japan has the second largest healthcare market in the world, after the US. National medical expenditure in FY2009 was ¥36.6 trillion (approx £305 billion (£1 = ¥120)), up 3.9% from the previous year. This was a record high in terms of level and growth rate, driven by Japan’s ageing population and more sophisticated medical care.

Japan is also the second largest market in the world for medical devices. It was worth ¥2.2 trillion (approx £18.3 billion) in 2009 when the market for imports of medical devices alone was approximately £8 billion.

Medical services are provided in a free access system, in which citizens can choose any medical institution throughout Japan. Therefore, even patients with a mild illness tend to visit a large hospital equipped with various high tech instruments/devices. This is in marked contrast to the UK, where the first point of call is likely to be the GP.

Japan has one of the world’s fastest growing elderly populations. As of September 2010, approximately 23.1% of Japan’s 127 million people are over 65 and this figure is anticipated to increase to 30.5% by 2025 and to 40.5% by 2055.

Japan has relatively strong manufacturing capabilities for diagnostic equipment, including CT, MRI and Electrocardiography, supplied by some globally known manufacturers including Toshiba Medical Systems, Olympus Medical Systems and Hitachi Medico. In 2009, imports of medical devices made up nearly half the market (49.4%). Of all foreign suppliers, the US retained more than half of that share with 53.3%.

The UK is increasing its share steadily from 1.3% in 2004 to 2.3% in 2009 and was positioned as Japan’s eighth largest foreign supplier of medical devices in 2009. The top three categories for imports were as follows: i) Artificial internal organ apparatus and assistive devices (32.6%); ii) General surgical/orthopaedic supplies and related products (23%); and iii) Ophthalmic devices and products

Key opportunities

For the healthcare market, unique, sophisticated, fashionable and high-technology products are sought to assist elderly people, including those who are healthy, and those with disabilities.

For the medical devices market, opportunities exist for advanced and innovative products especially in the following areas:

First tier

Diagnostics systems and equipment
Novel medical treatments (e.g. minimally- or non-invasive surgery)
Preventative healthcare
e-Health

Main therapeutic areas are oncology, cardiology, CNS, orthopaedics and age related diseases.

Second tier

Diagnostics products and technologies for stratified medicine
Surgical navigation (e.g. surgical robotics)

Regenerative medicine

Latest export opportunities – Healthcare & Medical

Latest export opportunities – Japan

Getting into the market

Finding good and loyal, local business partners is the key for both the healthcare and medical devices markets, rather than direct market entry. Medical devices are regulated under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan and local companies will be able to assist with regulatory issues and guide you through the best possible route into the market.

Japanese companies attach great importance in developing trust and mutual confidence that will lead to a strong and enduring relationship.

More about doing business in Japan

Contacts

Market intelligence is critical when doing business overseas, and UKTI can provide bespoke market research and support during overseas visits though our chargeable Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS).

To commission research or for general advice about the market, get in touch with our specialists in country - or contact your local international trade team.

Kaori Arai, British Embassy Tokyo. Tel: +81 (0)3 5211 1150 or email: Kaori.Arai@fco.gov.uk.
Hitomi Nakai, Consulate General Osaka.

Tel: +81 (0)6 6120 5656 or email: Hitomi.Nakai@fco.gov.uk

Contact your local international trade team

Events

UKTI runs a range of events for exporters, including seminars in the UK, trade missions to overseas markets and support for attendance at overseas trade shows.

Medical device and technologies:

MEDTEC Japan

Dates: 18–19 April 2012

Website address: http://medtecjapan.com

International Modern Hospital Show

Dates:18–20 July 2012

Website address: www.noma.or.jp/hs/index-e.html

Hospex

Dates:14–16 November 2012

Website address: http://www.jma.or.jp/hospex/en/top-e/index-e.htm

Care and assistive products:

Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition