The government again called on the business community to cooperate in increasing the production of medical supplies, such as masks and respirators, which have been in short supply because of the spread of the coronavirus. Although economic organizations are ready to cooperate, there are many issues that need to be tackled, including regulations and technological capabilities.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama held talks with Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) Chairman Hiroaki Nakanishi and Kengo Sakurada, chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) on Tuesday.
"The shortage will continue. Countries are fighting [for medical supplies] around the world," Kajiyama said, explaining the reason for the current shortage of masks and protective clothing.
"We would like to ask companies who usually do not make medical supplies to cooperate as well," Kajiyama said, asking for cooperation in supplying manufacturing equipment and dispatching engineers.
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato, who was also present at the meeting, said, "We would like other industries to help us."
"Medical devices aren't so easy, there are licensing issues, etc.," Nakanishi said. "I want to make an all-out effort because it is a national crisis."
Sharp Corp., a major consumer electronics maker, is set to enter the mask production market. Toyota Motor Corp. also said it will start producing "face shields" for medical professionals by using a 3D printer usually used to make prototype car parts. The company will also produce masks at the factories of group companies such as Denso Corp. and Toyota Boshoku Corp.
However, the production of protective clothing and other products has been slow because of a shortage of workers. In addition, there are only a few domestic manufacturers and experts with the capability to produce the ventilators that are necessary for patients with severe pneumonia, and there is no prospect of new entrants.
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