Japan tops global patent ranking for innovative cancer treatments

Reflects government support for tackling top cause of death since 1980s

20230614 Yamagata Univ

Japan's Yamagata University Hospital set up a heavy ion cancer therapy center that started administering treatments in 2021. (Photo courtesy of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions) 

TAKURO KUSASHIO and TATSUYA OZAKI, Nikkei staff writers

OSAKA/TOKYO -- Japan has taken the leading role in innovative cancer treatment technologies that are expected to become widely available in the late 2020s.

According to a survey by Patent Result, a Tokyo-based company, Japan leads the world in new patents in the field, having overtaken the U.S. in 2021, a position it had held for many years. China ranks third, and is also increasing its number of leading patents.

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