DNA testing at home is starting to gain traction nationwide as more people age and seek answers about their risks for diseases.
The market for consumer genetic tests is poised to reach ¥6.6 billion ($58 million) in sales by 2022, up from ¥4.3 billion last year, according to Fuji Chimera Research Institute. The sector is dominated by two domestic companies, Genesis Healthcare Co. and Genequest Inc. For ¥5,000 to ¥30,000, customers can send off a cheek swab to find out anything from their propensity for alcohol intolerance and allergies, to their risk of diabetes and stroke.
A third of Japan's population is projected to be 65 or older by 2035. While more people are aware of health risks that can be detected through early DNA testing, the country's self-testing market is dwarfed by the U.S., where people spent $73 million on genetic tests last year according to Kalorama Information. Two Japanese startups are betting that testing kits, as well as online services using compiled genetic data, will find greater demand as people become more confident in the technology.