Nikkei wrote that Takara Bio will mass produce mRNA vaccines starting as early as January 2022 on a contract basis, becoming one of the first Japanese companies to build key manufacturing facilities that will help Japan to reduce its dependence on imports and secure a stable supply of vaccines for COVID-19. The output volume will differ depending on the vaccine, but the company plans to have enough capacity to make the equivalent of 12 million Pfizer vaccine doses a year at its mainstay plant in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture.