Japanese biotechnology industry development

Abstract

Clyde V. Prestowitz, Jr., Counselor to the Secretary of Commerce for Japan, provides an overview of the competition the US biotechnology industry faces internationally. He examines the competition posed by Great Britain and Western Europe, but notes that the most important competition to the US industry is from Japan. Dr. Prestowitz describes the efforts of the Japanese Government, through its Ministry of Industry and Trade, in cooperation with industry, to target biotechnology for industrial development. He also reviews Japanese barriers that limit access to Japanese markets by US and other foreign biotechnology companies. He summarizes bilateral discussions between the US and Japan to reduce barriers and to eliminate unfair trade practices. These efforts are critical, he concludes, for the leadership of the US biotechnology industry is at stake.