In Japan confronted with greater and rapid aging of the population than in other countries of the world, a sharp increase in medical expenditure, curtailment of medical spending as much as possible and maintenance of the national health insurance system are major problems. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to promote self-care, including self-medication, by which people control their own health as much as they can, together with a radical reform of the national health insurance system. An OTC manufacturer's association, JSMI, was founded in 1971 by those Japanese OTC products manufacturers who participated in the First General Assembly of the World Federation of Proprietary Medicine Manufacturers (WFPMM)*1) held in London in the same year. The association was reorganized into the present JSMI in 1985 to expand its membership in view of the increasing importance of the industry-wide activities. Today, 88 OTC drug manufacturers operating in Japan, including fairly many multi-national companies, are members of JSMI. JSMI is also concerned with global issues. As a member of WSMI*2, JSMI communicates with WSMI and its member associations and participates in international conferences. The Tokyo General Assembly of the World Self|Medication Industry (WSMI) was held at Hotel Nikko Tokyo, Tokyo from 13th through 15th November, 2002.