Biopharmaceuticals: Are the Japanese coming ?

Back in the 1980s, the media reacted hysterically as Japanese companies bought up real estate and invested in assets in the USA. After a long hiatus, they're starting to make some big moves that have certainly piqued my interest.

It started with MGI's $3.9 billion acquisition by Eisai in December 2007. Then Millenium Pharmaceuticals ($8 billion sale) and Alnylam ($1 billion agreement) both inked deals in early 2008 with Takeda. This month, Ranbaxy's family sold their entire stake to Daiichi for $4.6 billion.

I'm going to try to find out what's going on.