--- description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. title: Redefining Global Pharmaceutical Manufacturing image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5513789608db0d09/6a4b525d8b93e536da5ad7c5/D3D2A15B1F054A198E1B8A4C8A8D5B65.png?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 --- # Redefining Global Pharmaceutical Manufacturing  As the world’s third largest, Japan’s pharmaceuticals sector is an economic powerhouse with a host of stakeholders involved in collaborations, investment and cutting-edge R&D. Within this dynamic space, Bushu Pharmaceuticals has been enjoying success through investments in clean energy, fresh-thinking management styles and a focus on leading-edge medical manufacturing. The Saitama-native firm, born as a contract maker of pharmaceutical products and now working with over 100 clients around the world, is keen to set an example for others in the industry to follow. With President and CEO Tadao Takano at the helm, the company is set to make big changes in the coming years. Bushu is a mainstay in the injectable medicines sector, an area expected to experience significant growth (with an anticipated market size of $820 billion by 2029) as biopharmaceuticals become more widespread. Key to success in this field is the company’s new Soka Packaging Center, a state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled facility that can provide the right conditions for biological products, as well as stem cells for use in regenerative medicine, and the start of a new injectable filling area at its Misato factory. “Everything we are doing connects back to a larger picture. Our goal now is to enhance productivity and expand the overall potential of our injectable manufacturing capabilities,” said Takano. “Pharmaceutical manufacturing tends to lag behind other industries, relying on older systems and methods. At the same time, staying this way is no longer an option. This is why we are pushing forward with DX initiatives to stabilize operations and create new ways of manufacturing using modern technologies,” Takano said. To this end, Bushu has installed humanoid robots for use in packaging operations, helping to lessen the burden of labor shortages. Japan’s challenging regulatory environment with regard to medical products has given Bushu a unique advantage as a local player, with experience and knowledge honed over decades. Through its “GATEWAY to ASIA®” project, Bushu works to localize products from partners across the globe, from initial testing to branding and packaging. “By doing this, we can shorten lead times, introduce products to local markets more smoothly, and offer much more flexibility to clients,” said Takano. “Even with small lot sizes, we can handle localized packaging and ship directly from Japan, which is attractive for many European and American companies.”  As Bushu looks ahead to further modernize and refine its business practices, the company has installed full-scale solar panel installations at its production plants—ideal, as Saitama receives the highest number of sunny days in Japan. “So far they have proven to be a great fit for our sustainability efforts,” Takano said. Certified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), Bushu’s near-term target is to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions (directly-generated and from purchased energy) by 42% by 2030, compared to a decade earlier. Another key initiative currently underway is the Bushu Employee Ownership Program. The wide-ranging scheme, a first for a company of this size in Japan, encourages employee participation in the growth and decision-making of the company. For Takano, this is vital to future business success. “Our biggest focus is increasing employee engagement,” he said.  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