After COVID-19 revealed a significant weakness, Japan is taking steps to strengthen research and development of vaccines.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in Japan's vaccine research and development capabilities, prompting the country to take steps to bolster its efforts in this area. In response to the pandemic, Japan has launched several initiatives aimed at strengthening its vaccine R&D capabilities and increasing its vaccine production capacity. 

      One of the key initiatives is the establishment of a new agency dedicated to vaccine development. In February 2021, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare announced the creation of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), which will focus on developing vaccines and other medical technologies. 

      The agency will receive funding from the government and will work closely with private companies and research institutions. Japan has also been investing in the development of new vaccine technologies, including mRNA vaccines. 

      In August 2021, the Japanese government announced that it would provide funding to a domestic pharmaceutical company to develop an mRNA vaccine for COVID-19. 

     In addition to these efforts, Japan has been working to increase its vaccine production capacity. The government has provided funding to several domestic pharmaceutical companies to expand their vaccine manufacturing capabilities, and has also sought to secure vaccine supplies from overseas.

 The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccine research and development, and Japan's response to the crisis reflects a recognition of the need to strengthen its capabilities in this area. By investing in vaccine R&D and increasing its production capacity, Japan is taking steps to ensure that it is better prepared to respond to future pandemics and other health crises.