Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) Tokushima Itano Factory has been awarded the 2022 Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for Excellent Greening. The Tokushima Itano Factory is the fourth Otsuka facility* to receive the Award, which recognizes factories that proactively promote greening and make significant improvements to the environment in and around their sites.

Manufacturing pharmaceuticals and nutraceutical business products such as SOYJOY, the Tokushima Itano Factory aims to be an eco-friendly, people-friendly plant, based on the concept of harmonious coexistence with the natural environment. Maximizing the local topography and natural forest, the factory site features an expansive grassy area and plantings of pin-oaks, cherry trees and other native species. A biotope pond fed by factory cooling water is home to diverse aquatic creatures, including cyprinid fish, a rare freshwater species that is protected and propagated. The Award for Excellent Greening recognizes these and other initiatives to actively promote greening in and around the factory site.

Otsuka will continue to implement proactive initiatives for greening and biodiversity as part of efforts to coexist with nature, promote greening and preserve and enhance the environment.

The Tokushima Itano Factory manufactures high-quality pharmaceuticals that are distributed on a global scale as well as SOYJOY and other nutraceutical business products. Since its establishment in 1999, the factory has been engaged in environmental protection and improvement initiatives, striving to be an eco-friendly, people-friendly plant that is open to the local community, based on the concept of harmonious coexistence with the natural environment. Located in the Asan Industrial Park on the slopes of the Asan mountains, approximately 69% of the factory site is dedicated to green spaces. In addition to areas of natural forest, planting and cultivation of trees contributes to creating a site with ample greenery that harmonizes with the local environment.

The biotope within the factory site is home to a variety of creatures, including Japanese rice fish, carp and frogs. As an extension of ongoing efforts to promote biodiversity, the factory participates in a Tokushima Prefecture project to protect and propagate a rare freshwater species of cyprinid fish.

Beginning in 2009, the Tokushima Itano Factory has cosponsored an annual walking event, organized in collaboration with Itano-cho, Asutamura Land and Tokushima Sports Village, with the theme of "Thinking about the Environment and Health." Employees also participate in the Itano-cho "adopt" program, working with local residents to improve the environment by weeding and gathering trash in the vicinity of the factory.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Otsuka group of companies, a new training facility was opened on the Tokushima Itano Factory site in 2022. The facility consists of an exhibition wing introducing various aspects of Otsuka culture and a training wing. The facility will serve as a training center for employees who will create the future of the Otsuka group of companies.

Based on the corporate philosophy of 'Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide,' Otsuka Pharmaceutical continues to contribute to the health and well being of people around the world.