Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo Japan; President: Tatsuo Higuchi) has entered into a Health Promotion Partnership with Yamanashi Prefecture to support the goal of achieving healthy lifestyles for prefectural residents. The agreement was signed on September 14 at the Yamanashi Prefecture Government Offices.
In statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2013, Yamanashi Prefecture ranked number one nationwide*1 in healthy life expectancy*2 for both men and women. On the other hand, sodium intake is among the highest in the nation and prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses has been identified as a serious issue.
Based on these considerations, Yamanashi Prefecture has established the Health Yamanashi 21 (second term)*3 health promotion plan with the goal of creating a social environment that is conducive to active and healthy lifestyles. The prefectural government is working together with local governments and related organizations to develop initiatives to promote the health and wellbeing of Yamanashi Prefecture residents, with a focus on prevention of the occurrence and aggravation of lifestyle-related illnesses.
A landlocked region surrounded by mountains, Yamanashi Prefecture often posts record high temperatures during the summer months, making heat stroke countermeasures another important focus of health initiatives*4.