The German group SCHERING has paid an undisclosed amount for 82% of Japan's MITSUI PHARMACEUTICALS (sales of JPY 12 billion for fiscal 1998-99, ending in March). The German group, which currently earns 11% of its sales in Japan, i.e. JPY 51.6 billion for fiscal 1998-99, believes it will be able to raise this amount to JPY 78 billion by 2005 with this acquisition.