At first glance, Japan seems an unlikely place for Novo Nordisk A/S to introduce its weight-loss drug Wegovy in Asia. That¡¯s exactly why it was chosen, according to the Danish drugmaker.

The lack of awareness surrounding obesity as a disease, and the stigma of it, are among the reasons Novo selected the country, says Kasper Bodker Mejlvang, president and representative director of Japan¡¯s Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd.

¡°There¡¯s a big educational task ahead of us,¡± he adds.