Japan accounts for approximately 7% of the global pharmaceuticals market and is the third largest market in the world following the US and China. In the first installment of the Spotlight on Japan mini-series, Hideo Norikoshi, head of the Tokyo office's Healthcare & Life Sciences industry group, is joined by Kei Matsumoto, IP Tech partner and industry specialist, and Ryosuke Tateishi, Healthcare & Life Sciences Compliance and Regulatory Counsel, to discuss the distinguishing features of the Japanese pharmaceuticals market, including an introduction to industry practices, the health insurance system, and the Market Authorizaton Holder (MAH) regulatory framework in Japan.