Asuka Miyahashira, Chairperson of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (President of Japan Pharma Business Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited)

Building a better medical future and staying at the forefront of the times

Chairman of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association　Asuka Miyabashira (Asuka Miyabashira)
(President, Japan Pharma Business Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited)

■ Profile
Originally from Nagasaki Prefecture, he graduated from Kyushu University Graduate School and joined Takeda Pharmaceutical as a medical representative. After working in the commercial medical department in Japan, he promoted business strategy and transformation in Indonesia and Vietnam. After returning to Japan, he served as Kyushu/Okinawa Branch Manager and Head of the Neuropsychiatric Diseases Division. In April 2024, he became President of the company's Japan Pharma Business Unit, and in May 2025, he became Chairman of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association. He is taking on the challenge of transforming the industry with the spirit of "unchanging trends."

As chairperson of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA), a group of 69 pharmaceutical companies working to create a better future for medicine, and as head of Takeda Pharmaceutical's domestic business, Miyahashira Asuka shoulders two important responsibilities. We spoke to her about her background and the challenges and rewards of being a leader.

The path I was aiming for and my encounter with the pharmaceutical industry

When I was a student and thinking about my future career, the Kyoto Protocol, a conference to decide on international rules regarding global warming, was held. I was moved by the passionate speeches I heard from people from all over the world about environmental issues, and this led me to want to research environmental issues, particularly global warming, and so I chose the Faculty of Agriculture at university.

The laboratory I belonged to was involved in a research project adopted by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization). This project aimed to utilize biomass resources in cooperation with universities in Japan and China, as well as private companies, and I was involved as a researcher for a total of about four years.
As I was in charge of the early stages of the project, I mainly worked on experiments in the lab, but as I worked hard on research every day, I realized that staying holed up in the lab and waiting for results wasn't for me. Our goals were to "green the desert" and "contribute to humanity," but it would take a long time to see results. I've always been a curious person, and I found collecting samples overseas and interacting with local people more enjoyable than waiting for results in the lab. So, I ultimately decided to take a different path from being a researcher.
At that time, my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, and my family and I had to take care of her. As I spent my days supported by medical professionals, I was deeply impressed by the way they treated patients and the power of medicine. Although there was no direct connection to the research I had been doing at university, I felt there was a common thread between the two, in the sense of "saving people's lives," and so I decided to aspire to a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

■Aspirations in the pharmaceutical industry

To be honest, I didn't know much about the pharmaceutical industry before I started my job search. However, my desire to work directly with people led me to join Takeda Pharmaceutical as a medical representative (MR). MRs are people whose job is to convey accurate information about pharmaceuticals to doctors, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. They explain the effects, usage, and side effects of drugs based on scientific evidence, and play a part in medical care to ensure that drugs are used safely by patients. While many employees at pharmaceutical companies do not have the opportunity to speak directly with patients, I believe that this is precisely why it is so important to interact with the medical professionals who are closest to patients.
After joining the company, I gained experience in the marketing department and other areas in Japan before being given the opportunity to be posted overseas. I learned about starting and running businesses in Indonesia and Vietnam, countries with completely different medical systems to Japan, and returned to Japan just as the COVID-5 pandemic was coming to an end. After serving as Kyushu/Okinawa Branch Manager, I was appointed President of Takeda Pharmaceutical's Japan Pharma Business Unit last year, and since May of this year I have been serving as Chairman of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.

■The common mission of 69 companies

The JPMA, which has 69 research and development-oriented pharmaceutical companies as members, has a common mission and works in cooperation with other companies as well as with the government and local authorities to create systems and guidelines that set out common rules for the industry.
Although there are differences in thinking and opinions among the companies, we all share a common goal: "delivering medicines safely to the public." With that goal in mind, each company is considering "what they can do for the future of medicine." Even with me taking over as chairman, this stance will not change.
However, the environment surrounding us has changed dramatically over the past few years. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmaceutical industry is also undergoing transformation due to dramatic advances in science and technology such as AI. For example, in the fields of research and development and manufacturing, while the use of AI has benefited from streamlining operations, there has been active discussion about how to make the most of the power of this technology and maximize our potential, based on the premise that final decisions and responsibility should be made by humans. Coexistence with AI is one of the major challenges going forward, and we intend to further strengthen our efforts to resolve these issues.

■ The appeal of the pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical industry is an industry that bears great social responsibility, but I believe there are three major attractions to it.
The first is the sense of accomplishment of contributing to society. Medicines have the power to change the lives of patients and their families, and the joy we feel when a new drug is completed and released into the world is exceptional. It takes many years and a large investment, but the realization that we are "contributing to people" is what drives us.
The second is "cutting-edge science and technology." The pharmaceutical industry has developed alongside scientific advances. In recent years, AI has been used in research, manufacturing, and sales, greatly improving development speed and quality control. The exciting thing about this job is that I can constantly incorporate new knowledge and technology and continue to challenge myself to innovate.
The third is "diverse human resources." Pharmaceuticals are developed through collaboration between countries around the world, from research to sales. One of the attractions is being able to work with diverse human resources and tackle problems from a global perspective.

■Message to university students

One is "the ability to ask and develop questions." We are entering an era where AI will provide many answers. At that time, it will be very important to have the ability to ask questions with curiosity, such as "So, what about this?", and ultimately make decisions based on the information obtained.
Next, "consider what humanity should be like." I often discuss this topic with my leadership team, and we are constantly asking ourselves, "What can we do for humanity?" In an age where AI is on the rise, we need to think about "what can I do for humanity?"
Finally, "take on challenges without fear of failure." Everyone hits a wall at some point. It is precisely at times like these that you should have the mindset to take on challenges without fear of failure. If you fail, just accept it honestly and use it to your advantage next time. It is important to "take on challenges" and "take action." However, I believe that what is ultimately necessary is human strength. Students have a great asset in the form of time. See many things, feel many things, and hone your human strength through a variety of experiences.

Student Newspaper Online September 29, 2025 Interview by Chiharu Yamada, 2nd year student at Information Management and Innovation University

Tokyo Woman's Christian University, second-year student Risa Ukita / Musashino University, third-year student Akina Yoshimatsu / Hosei University, fourth-year student Sakura Saeki / Information, Management and Innovation University, second-year student Chiharu Yamada / Hosei University, fourth-year student Daiki Shimada