Japan carmakers lend a hand in race for ventilators

But nonmedical businesses held back from production by regulatory hurdles

Countries around the world are rushing to produce ventilators to keep critically ill coronavirus patients alive. © Reuters

NORIYUKI TAKADA, Nikkei staff writer

April 11, 2020 06:37 JST

TOKYO -- With the coronavirus outbreak expected to increase demand for ventilators in Japan, companies outside the medical sector are working within tight regulatory constraints to support efforts to ramp up production.

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Friday that member companies would offer support to ventilator makers. Akio Toyoda, chairman of the industry group and president of Toyota Motor, discussed providing know-how to improve manufacturing processes.