On the Inauguration of New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
October 21, 2025
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Sanae Takaichi on her appointment as Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Takaichi has long been dedicated to strengthening Japan’s economic security and realizing a nation driven by science and technology, and has promoted the enhancement of drug discovery capabilities, including the development and stable supply of pharmaceuticals and vaccines.Her policy of “investment in growth” provides great encouragement to the R&D-driven pharmaceutical industry, whose guiding principle is to contribute to healthcare through the creation of innovative new drugs.
The pharmaceutical industry not only safeguards the health and lives of the public but is also a core industry that supports Japan’s sustainable growth through innovation. As an industry, we are committed to continuously providing treatment options for diseases for which there are no effective therapies or for which existing treatments are insufficient, through the creation of innovative new drugs.
To achieve this, we must not only maintain an active cycle of domestic R&D investment but also establish Japan as an “attractive market” that draws investment from abroad.
At the same time, the environment surrounding the globally operating pharmaceutical industry is becoming increasingly uncertain and undergoing significant changes due to factors such as U.S. tariff measures, the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) treatment that lowers U.S. drug prices to the lowest levels seen overseas, and rising geopolitical risks.
Under the new administration, we hope to see the drug discovery environment further enhanced and strengthened so that the supply of innovative new drugs in Japan is not disrupted under any circumstances.