东京——像Tsumura公司这样的日本传统制药企业正在努力构建本土供应链，以减少对从中国进口的原材料的依赖。
TOKYO -- Japanese traditional drugmakers such as Tsumura & Co. are developing a domestic supply chain that cuts dependence on Chinese imports for raw materials.
用于制作基于传统中医理论的草药制剂（kampo）的原料共有283种，这些原料包括花卉、根茎和树皮等。2024财年，日本本土生产的这类原料总量为1,628公吨，较上一年略有下降。
There are 283 types of ingredients for kampo or herbal remedies rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. This includes flowers, roots and tree bark. In fiscal 2024, Japan produced 1,628 metric tons of the ingredients, a slight decrease from the previous year.
随着公众健康意识的提高，日本市场对草药制剂的需求正在持续增长。2024财年，日本本土生产的草药制剂及其原料的价值增长了12%；不过，日本制药行业所需的原材料中仍有约80%依赖从中国进口。
Due to increased awareness, the Japanese market for herbal remedies is expanding. Domestic production of remedies and ingredients rose 12% by value in fiscal 2024. But Chinese imports account for about 80% of raw material used in Japan's industry.
日本草药制剂制造商协会（JKMA）的目标是：到2030财年，将本土原材料的产量从2015财年的水平提高50%。然而截至2024财年，本土原材料的产量仅增长了14%。
Japan Kampo Medicines Manufacturers Association (JKMA) is aiming for a 50% increase in domestic raw material production by fiscal 2030 from fiscal 2015 levels. But as of fiscal 2024, domestic output only expanded 14%.
“中国正在满足日本日益增长的消费需求，”同时隶属于JKMA和Tsumura公司的平手武美（Takemi Hirate）表示，“日本本土生产的草药制剂所占的比例逐年下降。”
"China is covering the increase in consumption," said Takemi Hirate, who is affiliated with both JKMA and Tsumura. "The proportion of Japanese-made products is decreasing year by year."
“确保原材料的稳定供应至关重要，”平手武美补充道，“我们必须尽可能增加本土草药制剂的生产。”
"Securing raw materials is essential for a stable supply," Hirate added. "We need to produce as much domestic herbal medicine as possible." Tsumura and Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, another large Japanese producer of herbal remedies, are stepping in to push the development of a domestic supply chain.
Tsumura公司以及另一家大型日本草药制剂生产商Kobayashi Pharmaceutical也在积极推动本土供应链的建设。
Tsumura procures a portion of ingredients by directly contracting with farmers in six locations in Japan, including Hokkaido, Gunma and Kumamoto prefectures.
Tsumura公司通过与日本六个地区的农民直接签约来采购部分原材料，这些地区包括北海道、群马县和熊本县。
In Hokkaido, Tsumura established a subsidiary in 2009 that produces and stores raw materials there. Some crops are cultivated on the company's farms while others are outsourced to Hokkaido farmers.
在北海道，Tsumura公司于2009年成立了一家子公司，负责在当地生产和储存原材料；部分原料由该公司自己的农场种植，其余的则委托给当地的农民进行种植。位于长野县的这家农场专门种植用于制作草药制剂的牡丹花。
This farm in Nagano prefecture produces peonies for traditional remedies.
小林也在北海道采购缬草（Valerian）——这种草药被用于传统医学中，有助于改善女性健康和缓解睡眠障碍。该公司为农民提供关于如何种植和加工缬草的指导，并致力于研发专门的农业机械。
Kobayashi is also in Hokkaido procuring valerian, an herb used for traditional remedies that support women's health and sleep disorders. The company provides guidance to farmers on how to cultivate and clean valerian. Work is being done to develop specialized agricultural machinery.
草药制品制造商通常会直接与种植者签订合同，而无需通过批发商。这种做法让农民的生产计划更加便捷，同时制造商也能获得符合其要求的原材料。
It is common for herbal remedy manufacturers to enter into direct contracts with growers without going through wholesalers. Farmers benefit because of easier production planning, and manufacturers gain access to precursors that meet their requirements.
在日本政府的支持下，JKMA（Japan Kimono Manufacturers Association）帮助农民与制造商建立了联系。2013年至2025年间，共有24起这样的合作案例。
With the support of the Japanese government, JKMA has helped farmers match with manufacturers. There have been 24 matches between 2013 and 2025.
“最近，每年新签订的商业合同只有寥寥一两个，”平手（Hirate）说道，“我真心希望这个数字能够增加。”
"Recently, there are only about one or two business deals that start in a year," said Hirate. "I'd certainly like to see the number of deals increase."