Fukushima Prefecture is one of the leading Japanese prefectures for the production of medical devices. Research and development (R&D) related to medical devices is being enthusiastically undertaken at local universities including Fukushima Medical University, Nihon University College of Engineering, Fukushima University, and the University of Aizu.

　Positioning the efforts of the local manufacturers and universities as strengths, Fukushima Prefecture launched “Utsukushima (Beautiful Fukushima) Next-Generation Medical Industry Agglomeration Project” in fiscal 2005 to promote regional integration of medical device related industries through industry-academia-government collaboration.

　Fukushima Prefecture has been conducting R&D of medical devices, as well as supporting firms in non-medical sectors to handle approval and licensing procedures, under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act; increasing the number of companies in Fukushima that are currently engaged in the production of medical devices and/or components.

　With industry, academia, and government collaboration, Fukushima Prefecture will continue seamless efforts from collecting needs in medical front to R&D and commercialization of medical devices so as to achieve a world-class “leading center of medical related industries.” With industry, academia, and government collaboration, Fukushima Prefecture will continue to determine the needs of the medical front R&D and commercialization of medical devices to become a world-class leading center of medical related industries.