Production value of drugs Japan 2023, by category

In 2023, the production value of oncology drugs amounted to over 1.3 trillion Japanese yen, representing the medication with the highest production value in Japan. Central nervous system agents followed with over one trillion Japanese yen. 

Increase in cancer cases in Japan

Cancer is by far the leading cause of death in Japan and worldwide. The most common types of cancer among Japanese women were breast, colon, and lung cancer, while Japanese men mostly were diagnosed with prostate, stomach, and colon cancer. While the overall number of cancer cases has increased in Japan, the survival chances have risen significantly over the past decades due to medical development in oncology drugs and treatments as well as more people undergoing prevention measures such as cancer screenings.

Rising demand for medication due to Japan's aging population 

Even though the growth of the Japanese pharmaceutical industry has stagnated recently, as is also seen in the research and development costs remaining at around the same level, the country continues to rank among the world's largest pharmaceutical markets. As Japan's population is rapidly aging, the demand for medication and medical treatments for age-related health issues increases accordingly. This is already underlined by the rising import value of pharmaceutical drugs and the increase in the social security budget for healthcare.