• The agreement, signed on May 24, 2016, aims to contribute to Fukushima Prefecture's goal of earning nationwide recognition for healthy longevity.
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical will utilize its expertise in areas such as prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses, nutritional education, sports promotion, heat stroke countermeasures and disaster mitigation, working together with Fukushima Prefecture to promote the health and wellbeing of Fukushima Prefecture residents.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo, Japan; President: Tatsuo Higuchi) has entered into a health promotion agreement with Fukushima Prefecture, aiming to achieve healthier lifestyles for prefectural residents. The agreement was signed on May 24 at the Fukushima Prefecture Offices.

Signing Ceremony at the Fukushima Prefectural Government

As a comprehensive health care company, Otsuka Pharmaceutical is involved in various activities to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the public at large.

In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear disaster in 2011, Fukushima Prefecture proclaimed the Second Health Fukushima 21 Plan^*1, aiming to foster an environment conducive to healthy longevity and reduce regional health disparities within the prefecture. Among the focuses of the plan are prevention of onset and progression of lifestyle-related illnesses and enhancement of the quality of life for prefectural residents. To counteract a decline in the amount of time spent engaged in outdoor activities, triggered by the 2011 disaster, Fukushima Prefecture has initiated a Food Education Project^*2, uniting government, industry, and academic interests to promote accurate knowledge about Fukushima food products and emphasize the importance of a balanced diet as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical has already been involved in various activities to promote the health of Fukushima Prefecture residents. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, Otsuka became an early member of the Food Education Support Company Group^*3, an industry group organized to support nutritional education and contribute to the health of prefectural residents.

With the conclusion of the Health Promotion Partnership agreement, Otsuka will work together with Fukushima Prefecture to maximize expertise in areas such as prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses, healthy longevity, nutritional education, sports promotion, heat stroke countermeasures and disaster mitigation, providing health information and products based on scientific evidence to contribute to the health and wellbeing of Fukushima Prefecture residents.

Under the terms of the agreement, Otsuka Pharmaceutical will focus on the health promotion initiatives outlined below, aiming to achieve healthier lifestyles for residents of Fukushima Prefecture.

1. 1Health promotion initiatives with the aim of earning nationwide recognition for healthy longevity
2. 2Promotion of health through nutrition
3. 3Promotion of health through sports activities
4. 4Heat stroke countermeasures
5. 5Disaster countermeasures (provision of foods and beverages for disaster relief)
6. 6Other initiatives as determined by both parties

Based on our corporate philosophy of 'Otsuka - people creating new products for better health worldwide', Otsuka Pharmaceutical is dedicated to the development of innovative products that contribute to the health of people around the world.

1. 1Second Health Fukushima 21 Plan:https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/sec/21045a/21keikaku.html
2. 2Fukushima Food Education Project: An educational and publicity project to provide prefectural residents with accurate information about Fukushima food products, encourage dialogue among local communities, ensure the safety of Fukushima food products in retail markets, emphasize the importance of a balanced diet for day-to-day health, and recognize the spiritual rewards of preserving and handing down local food traditions.
   https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/sec/21045a/kenkozoushin-syokuiku1.html
3. 3Food Education Support Company Group: Corporations that cooperate with food education initiatives and promote Fukushima Food Education Project on a prefecture-wide basis. Recruitment of corporate participants began in 2013; the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Sendai Branch Office became a member in September of the same year.
   https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/sec/21045a/kenkozoushin-syokuiku2.html