Japan's Chemistry of Trust: From Kumamoto to California in Clinical Diagnostics

Dojindo Laboratories, a life sciences company founded in Kumamoto in 1946, is sharpening its focus on supplying high-quality reagents and clinical diagnostic materials to researchers and biosensor firms worldwide.

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In Japan’s economy, the medical and life sciences sector has become a crucial pillar of growth, both for domestic healthcare and as a driver of export competitiveness.

As the country faces an aging population and rising healthcare needs, specialized companies are playing an increasingly important role in developing tools that support research and diagnostics. Among these is Dojindo Laboratories, a Kumamoto-based firm that has built a global reputation in chemical reagents and raw materials for clinical applications.

The company was established in 1946 by Dr. Keihei Ueno, a scientist and professor at Kyushu University, who began by manufacturing chemical reagents. His vision of bridging academia and industry has carried forward through three generations. “We are proud that Dojindo was one of Japan’s first university-based startups,” said Dr. Yuichiro Ueno, the company’s current president and grandson of the founder. “Our mission has always been to provide reliable, high-quality materials that advance science and benefit society.”