JETRO AnnouncementsShaping the Future of the Life Sciences Industry from the Kansai Region

Health and Well-being Week, one of the theme weeks at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai was held from June 20 to July 1, 2025. During this period, numerous healthcare-related events were held not only at the Expo venue but also throughout the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kyoto. These events brought together healthcare stakeholders from both Japan and abroad in the Kansai area.

The Kansai region is home to numerous companies, universities, and research institutions engaged in regenerative medicine and drug discovery fields. It is increasingly gaining recognition as a global business hub for the life sciences industry.

As a symbol of this, the local Osaka community is presenting the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion at Expo 2025. Small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, universities with advanced research capabilities, and advanced medical institutions in Osaka are collaborating under the theme "REBORN" to share their expertise, ideas, and the vitality of Osaka with the world, with a view to shaping the future of society.

Inside the pavilion, visitors can explore exhibits and experiences related to the near future created by the cutting-edge medical technologies and the life sciences industry.

In Osaka City, a demo day for the J-StarX HealthTech Gateway Accelerator Program was held on June 24. Jointly organized by MedTech Actuator—an Australia-based accelerator specializing in medical technology—and JETRO, the event collected ten leading Japanese startups in the medical and healthcare sectors. These startups pitched their innovative technologies to investors, corporations, and medical institutions, primarily from the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, aiming to expand overseas. The event generated significant excitement and engagement among participants.

Buzz Palmer, CEO of MedTech Actuator, which launched its Japanese first acceleration program in the Kansai region, shared his thoughts on the appeal of Kansai's healthcare ecosystem. He said, "It has incredible universities, incredible manufacturing capabilities, incredible professionals—including clinicians, innovators, and entrepreneurs. It also has incredible support and incredible people." He also emphasized, "It is just the right size to make a difference—where capability, accessibility, and general motivational energy exist—and you’re able to collaborate with the whole ecosystem."

Accelerated innovation in the life sciences sector in the Kansai region is being driven by collaboration among universities, research institutions, industry, and government.

For example, Kyoto is home to many companies engaged in research and development in fields such as regenerative medicine, including iPS cell research, as well as drug discovery and medical devices. The city has produced a large number of university-launched startups, and many companies that support this type of R&D are located there. Such an environment fosters collaboration among Industry–Academia–Government, thereby promoting actively joint research with companies and the development of technologies geared toward social implementation.

The Innovation Hub Kyoto (IHK) at Kyoto University is an open innovation facility that supports the creation of ventures and the commercialization of promising research projects, based on world-class research capabilities in the biomedical field.

Students and researchers aiming to start businesses, as well as domestic and international partner companies, use the advanced infrastructure of the university's Graduate School of Medicine to strengthen collaboration between Industry, Academia, and Government. This accelerates the social implementation of research outcomes in the medical and healthcare sectors.

At the Osaka Biotech & Pharma Networking Event held on June 24, overseas life sciences companies gathered in Japan to participate in pitch sessions and network with domestic firms. The event provided a platform for global collaboration and business creation among companies and research support organizations in the medical and healthcare sectors. Through the exchange of innovative ideas and lively networking, the event offered a glimpse into the growing momentum of the Japanese market and the potential for cross-border partnerships.

Shavini Fernando, CEO of OxiWear, a U.S.-based startup developing compact, ear-worn devices that measure blood oxygen and other vital signs in real time, highlighted Japan's significant market potential for lung disease treatment and care. She stated, "In the Japanese environment, our vision and mission are aligned in a very forward-thinking way. They are looking into new technologies and trying to work on more preventative treatments."

Furthermore, noting that the Kansai region is "like a hub for medical devices and pharma," she emphasized the strategic advantages for business development, including a rich market environment and opportunities for collaboration as a medical device manufacturer.

Even companies that have long led Japan's life sciences industry now hold new expectations for innovation, aiming to achieve it through collaboration with overseas companies and further advancement of the industry. Yoshiaki Kawaguchi at Rohto Pharmaceutical—founded and headquartered in Osaka—shared his thoughts on open innovation with international partners.

"The challenges in the life sciences field are becoming increasingly complex. However, I believe that combining overseas companies and startups having flexible thinking and speed with Japanese companies having careful, steady approach allows us to complement each other's strengths and accelerate powerful innovation."

Kawaguchi also highlighted the forward-looking and open nature of the Kansai region's business environment. He remarked, "The Kansai ecosystem is especially attractive because major cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe are located close to one another, forming a compact yet vibrant market. The region also has a long history of international exchange and a culture that welcomes cross-cultural communication."

Among Japan's globally recognized life sciences industry, the Kansai region stands out for its strong academic foundation, close collaboration between medical institutions and businesses, and active exchange of cutting-edge technologies from both domestic and international sources, bringing dynamism to the industry as a whole.

With a culture that welcomes challenges into the unknown, Kansai is emerging as a key destination for innovation—offering opportunities for both launching new ventures and creating new values from established businesses.

If you are interested in exploring business opportunities in the life sciences sector in Kansai or elsewhere in Japan, please feel free to contact JETRO for further information. Our offices across Japan are ready to provide you with the latest local insights and a full range of support services to help you invest in Japan.

As a first step in exploring the potential of this growing market, we invite you to take a look at JETRO's report, "Attractive Sectors: Life Sciences."