This paper provides an introduction to the basic differences between the U.S. and Japanese patent systems and the problems that arise for U.S. medical products companies operating under the Japanese system. Read More
Japan's contact lens market was worth 50.8 billion (about $508 million) in 1995. A total of around 30 contact lens manufacturers operate in Japan, including foreign companies. The top five, including Bausch & Lomb, account for 70% of the market. Eye doctors... Read More
The Japanese market for medical devices has grown steadily since the mid-1990s, despite the general economic slowdown experienced in other sectors of the Japanese economy. The medical-device market grew by 15.8% in 1992, by 19.2% in 1993, and by 12.4% in 1995... Read More
In 1995, the Japanese spent $290 billon, or about 7% of their national income, on healthcare. In return for this investment, Japan boasts the world's longest life-spans and universal health insurance. It has recently become easier for foreign medical companies to penetrate... Read More
Japan is the world's single largest medical market outside the United States. Product registration in Japan, however, is often complicated and difficult. The direct registration of medical products in Japan via the In-Country Caretaker (ICC) System can help foreign medical companies understand... Read More
Following a period of rapid expansion, Japan's economy has experienced slow economic growth since the late 1980s. Nevertheless, the Japanese medical and dental supplies import market has shown steady growth over the last several years. In 1995, while the Japanese medical market... Read More
This article serves as a comprehensive guide for U.S. medical manufacturers looking to find a distributor in Asia. Topics include checking a distributor's background, negotiating a distribution agreement, Asian legal systems, exclusive vs. nonexclusive distribution, sales targets, and other responsibilities of the... Read More
As medical technologies become more widespread and advanced, multitudes of lives are prolonged by more modern and improved healthcare, particularly in Asia. Asia's aging population has pushed governments to reform healthcare systems to accommodate this challenge. Subsequently, that has created more business... Read More
On November 1, 1994 Ronald Brown, U.S secretary of commerce, and Takakuzu Kuriyama, Japan's ambassador to the United States, signed the Medical Technology Arrangement (MTA). The agreement marked an important step opening to U.S. manufacturers Japan's public sector procurement market for medical... Read More
As the environment for importing medical devices into Japan changes, it is important for U.S. firms selling in Japan to understand the implications of the new rules and regulations for their products. Companies should include in their foreign market strategies regular and... Read More