Japanese Medical Distribution Consulting and Related Services

Japan is the world's second largest medical device market. With a total population of 127 million and an aging society, Japan provides great market opportunities for medical device companies since nearly 50% of Japan's medical devices are imported.

Due to a lack of understanding about the Japanese market and the obvious language barrier, many medical device exporters selling in Japan work with a single Japanese medical distributor who has exclusive rights to sell the product throughout Japan and owns the registration of the product.

However, it is important to realize that Japan consists of 47 prefectures (regions), many with their own dialects, customs, and unique culture. The Kanto region, which includes Tokyo, represents approximately 25% of total population and 40% of total economic activity, and is arguably the most likely region to focus on first. But when you provide a distributor in Tokyo the exclusive rights for the whole Japanese market, this company may not have an active sales network in the other regions or sell through sub-distributors which inflates pricing and reduces marketability of your products. So it is important not to overlook potential opportunities in the other regions. Learn more about the demographics and healthcare market potential of Japan. 

We can assist you with a variety of Japanese medical distribution and related issues including:

Japan Market Entry Research
Through our office in Tokyo we can assist you in researching the potential for your products in the Japanese market and which regions within Japan offer the best opportunities. 

Find New Japanese Medical Distributors
We will help research, qualify and select medical distributors in Japan that meet your pre-determined medical distributor profile. 

Medical Distribution Management in Japan
After you have entered into partnerships with Japanese medical distributors, it is important to carefully nurture these relationships to ensure ongoing success. We can provide this service from our Tokyo office.

Japan Medical Device Regulatory Compliance
Our parent company, Emergo Group, can assist you with PMDA regulatory approvals, quality system and PAL compliance and Designated Marketing Authorization Holder (D-MAH) representation iin Japan.