Mr. Osamu Nagayama was born on 21 April 1947. His work and career have been associated mainly with the pharmaceutical industry, expect for a brief period in Banking at the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, both in Japan and the United Kingdom.

He joined Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in 1978 and has since worked in the Ethical Product Marketing Division, the International Division, the Research and Development Division, the Healthcare Division and the Corporate Planning Office. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since March 1985 before being nominated President of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. on 30 September 1992. Shortly after, he was elected Chairman of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association on 22 May 1998.

His four years in the United Kingdom have given him valuable experience and, at age 56, he is well known as an internationally minded executive and excellent English speaker among the Japanese pharmaceutical industry.