London-based stem cell collection specialist Smart Cells International will process and store its 5001st sample before the end of March - making Japan the 40th country from which it has collected
The move means Smart Cells puts itself in a strong position to help tackle a disease that was once a friend of Asian races.
Thalassaemia, which occurs in several forms, some incurable, is seen most commonly in people who originate from areas where malaria is or was common - the Mediterranean, Asia, the Middle East and Asia in particular.
Scientists believe that it may have evolved as a natural protection against malaria, but in some forms it is now a health threat in specific communities.
Shamshad Ahmed, managing director of Smart Cells said: "Thankfully my family are lucky enough to be unaffected, but one in seven Greeks, nearly 10% of Turks and one in 15 Asians have the dangerous beta thalassaemia trait".
"Because of migration and intermarriage it is also becoming increasingly common in the UK, particularly in Asian communities.
"It's complex, but, essentially, if a baby is born and is found to be thalassaemia-free, then collection of healthy stem cells at birth could be important not only to that baby's future well-being, but also to help rebuild or cure other family members after illness or injury".
Basically, people with certain types of thalassaemia are unable to make the chemical needed for producing enough mature haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin is essential for carrying oxygen around the body.
Without sufficient haemoglobin the body cannot carry oxygen properly and after a while the body will not survive.
"The symptoms of beta thalassaemia major, for instance, usually start when a child is about three to six months old".
"The infant starts to lose weight, has difficulty keeping food down, starts vomiting, gets diarrhoea and infections easily, fails to thrive and is generally unwell.
"Individuals are very anaemic, especially if they are not given blood transfusions, which need to be as often as every six weeks.
"They will appear pale, feel tired and lethargic, breathless and have difficulty with minimum physical activity.
"There may be yellowing of the eyes and skin due to excessive breakdown of red blood cells.
Meanwhile, growth may be delayed, especially if they have not followed the doctor's instructions for their treatment," he added.
"Stem cells are described as being miraculous, but in truth they're pure science - they've always been around, we just did not know about them, or how to collect, store or use them until recently - but they have proven to be successful in the treatment of thalassaemia along with other blood-related disorders".
"Stem cells are basic building blocks or 'master cells' that can change into other types of cells that form organs, muscles, skin, bone, nerves and blood".
"When implanted and used to treat or rebuild after disease or injury, these master cells somehow know how to migrate to the damaged area of the body and begin repairing the tissue." It is possible to use stem cells to treat dozens of diseases and disorders: heart-related disorders, certain leukaemias, Hodgkin's Disease, and certain anaemias.
The range of illnesses that may one day be treated with stem cells includes heart disease, stroke, cancers, spinal cord injury, diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson Disease, osteo-arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
