• An extension of the health promotion support agreement established in March 2016, the comprehensive partnership covers a broad range of initiatives conceived to promote the Hyogo Prefecture Regional Revitalization Strategy. The comprehensive partnership was finalized on October 31, 2016.
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical will utilize its expertise in areas such as heat stroke countermeasures, prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses, nutritional education, sports promotion, women's health, and disaster mitigation, cooperating with Hyogo Prefecture to enhance the quality of services for residents and contribute to revitalization of local communities.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo Japan; President: Tatsuo Higuchi) has entered into a comprehensive partnership with Hyogo Prefecture, aiming to enhance the quality of services for residents and promote the revitalization of local communities. The agreement was signed at the Hyogo Prefecture Government Offices on October 31, 2016.

Signing Ceremony at the Hyogo Prefectural Government

Under a health promotion support agreement^*1 entered into with Hyogo Prefecture in March 2016, Otsuka Pharmaceutical agreed to support health-related activities of local corporations and organizations through training programs and dispatch of lecturers, focusing on promotion of health through nutrition.

Faced with low birthrates, an aging population and population decline, Hyogo Prefecture has made regional revitalization a priority. The Hyogo Prefecture Regional Revitalization Strategy^*2 was established to promote vital, self-reliant communities that encourage the aspirations of local residents and contribute to realization of a "dynamic, safe and secure Hyogo Prefecture."

The new comprehensive partnership with Otsuka Pharmaceutical aims to further promote revitalization of local communities and enrich the lifestyles of prefectural residents. Otsuka will work to maximize expertise in areas such as heat stroke countermeasures, prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses, nutritional education, sports promotion, women's health, and disaster mitigation, providing health-related information and products based on scientific evidence to promote health and wellbeing and enhance the quality of services for Hyogo Prefecture residents and contribute to the revitalization of local communities.

Under the terms of the agreement, Otsuka Pharmaceutical will cooperate with Hyogo Prefecture to implement initiatives and activities as outlined below.

1. 1Coordination with local communities for regional revitalization^*3
2. 2Disaster prevention, disaster mitigation, and other activities related to regional public safety and security
3. 3Promotion of mental and physical health and nutritional education
4. 4Sports promotion activities
5. 5Youth development activities
6. 6Child rearing and family support initiatives
7. 7Activities to promote gender equality
8. 8Elderly and handicapped support activities
9. 9Tourism promotion
10. 10Other activities including dissemination of prefectural government information

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. 1Health Promotion Support Agreement: Hyogo Prefecture initiative in which corporations and organizations registered as Health Promotion Challenge Corporations agree to support practical health promotion activities and improve the ratio of regular medical examinations for employees and their families. (Agreement with Otsuka Pharmaceutical finalized on March 31, 2016)
2. 2Hyogo Prefecture Regional Revitalization Strategy: Hyogo Prefecture official website (in Japanese)
   https://web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp/kk44/senryakukohyo.html
3. 3Regional revitalization: Hyogo Prefecture official website (in Japanese)
   https://web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp/interaction/cate3_527.html