Connecting Nordic Health Innovation with Japan’s Healthcare and Life Science Leaders
WHAT
Japan is one of the world’s most important healthcare markets, ranking among the top three globally and supported by a comprehensive universal healthcare system. With a population of 125 million and healthcare expenditure accounting for around 11% of GDP, up more than 30% since 2000. The market continues to grow steadily, with projected annual growth of approximately 4% between 2024 and 2030.
Japan is home to a number of global pharmaceutical and life science leaders, including Takeda, Astellas, and Eisai. At the same time, structural constraints in Japan’s domestic startup ecosystem mean that large Japanese companies increasingly look abroad to access innovation, new technologies, and entrepreneurial talent. This has resulted in a strong and growing interest in Nordic healthcare, health tech, and life science companies.
Japanese investment and collaboration with the Nordic region already has a proven track record. Recent examples include Asahi Kasei’s acquisition of Swedish pharmaceutical company Calliditas for SEK 11.8 billion in 2024, Eisai’s long-term collaboration and investment in Sweden’s BioArctic leading to the world’s first fully FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drug in 2023, and Fujifilm’s USD 1.6 billion investment in advanced biomanufacturing capacity in Denmark. These cases highlight Japan’s appetite for Nordic innovation across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing.
Against this backdrop, the Nordic Health Summit provides a focused platform for Swedish startups and scaleups to explore concrete collaboration, investment, and partnership opportunities with leading Japanese healthcare companies and investors.
HOW
The Nordic Health Summit Japan 2026 will take place in Tokyo on 24 April 2026, preceded by a Japan Market Entry Day on 23 April. Together, these two days offer Nordic companies a structured introduction to the Japanese healthcare system, regulatory environment, market dynamics, and business culture, combined with targeted matchmaking and partnering opportunities.
The Summit is a partnering and investor-focused conference designed to connect Nordic healthcare innovations with Japanese pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, corporate venture units, and financial investors actively seeking collaboration and investment opportunities in the Nordics. Participating companies gain access to a curated, high-level network and a setting that prioritises meaningful one-to-one meetings and dialogue.
In 2026, participants will also have the opportunity to extend their Asia engagement by continuing to Seoul, South Korea, where additional matchmaking and activities will be organised in connection with Bio Korea (28–30 April). This creates a unique opportunity to engage with both Japanese and Korean life science ecosystems in one coordinated programme.
Further details about the programme and participation are available at https://nordichealthsummit.org, where the 2026 Japan edition will be announced and updated.
CONTACT US
For more information contact Magnus Blondell at magnus.bondell@business-sweden.se.