Japan to block foreign investment in medicine amid coronavirus

New law to deem makers of vaccines and ventilators critical to national security

Vaccine Reuters 20200422

Japan is moving to protect its pharmaceutical and other sensitive industries from foreign influence as the coronavirus pandemic is teaching a hard lesson about relying on overseas supply chains. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan plans to prevent foreign companies from acquiring domestic pharmaceutical and medical equipment makers, Nikkei has learned.

The Japanese government will include companies that operate in the fields of vaccines, medicine and advanced medical equipment like ventilators on its list of sectors deemed critical to national security.

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