The headquarters factory of Nihon Seimitsu Sokki Co., which has increased production of pulse oximeters, is seen in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture, on Aug. 31, 2021. (Mainichi/Tetsuya Shoji)

       SHIBUKAWA, Gunma -- Pulse oximeters that measure blood oxygen saturation levels have seen a surge in demand as patients recovering at home have been increasing nationwide amid a rampant spread of the delta coronavirus variant.

       A manufacturer in the east Japan prefecture of Gunma has been making capital investments to step up production of these medical devices, but its efforts have been impeded by a global shortage of semiconductors.

       "The production capacity of pulse oximeters has been raised to 1.5 times the level seen at the end of the previous year," said a representative at Nihon Seimitsu Sokki Co., a medical electronic equipment maker based in the city of Shibukawa. The company invested money in its equipment and facilities at the beginning of this year to boost its production line. As the coronavirus pandemic shows no signs of abating, demand for pulse oximeters have increased since last year, and production has not been able to keep up with demand, even in full-scale operation.

       A pulse oximeter distributed to COVID-19 patients recuperating at home is seen at the Kitakyushu Municipal Government building on Jan. 28, 2021. (Mainichi/ Shotaro Asano)

       Japan's major manufacturers are in the same boat. Tokyo-based Konica Minolta Inc, which launched the world's first fingertip pulse oximeter, said that from June, it raised its production capacity to 20 times that of 2019. A representative explained, "There is great demand from local governments. Though demand briefly eased in July, requests from local governments suddenly rose again from August, which also saw an increase in COVID-19 patients recuperating at home."

       However, a global shortage of semiconductors caused by a recovery in automobile sales, demand for ultrafast 5G network smartphones, and other factors, has been hindering the production of pulse oximeters. These medical devices use semiconductors such as photodiodes that detect light and color when a fingertip is inserted into the gadget, and microcontrollers that regulate the functions of the device. Prospects for securing a stable supply are uncertain, and the Nihon Seimitsu Sokki representative said that while production can be maintained in September, the outlook for October onward is unclear.

       Konica Minolta has also commented, "We have responded by utilizing various procurement networks and by carrying out design changes. Until September, we can achieve production that is 20 times that of 2019, but this will become difficult in October."

       (Japanese original by Tetsuya Shoji, Shibukawa Resident Bureau)

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