Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) established the "Heatstroke Countermeasure Industry-Government-Academia Consortium(HC-Start)" on June 5 together with the National Institute for Environmental Studies, the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan, and private companies and organizations.

This consortium aims to reduce heat illness risk, which is becoming more serious due to the effects of climate change, under the social mission of protecting people's lives and health. Within this consortium, Otsuka will work toward the social implementation of more effective heat illness countermeasures by sharing related information, initiatives, and recommendations, drawing on its research findings on fluid and electrolyte replenishment and the expertise it has developed through more than 30 years of heat illness prevention awareness activities.

■Background and Role

In recent years, summer heat has become increasingly severe due to the effects of climate change, and the growing risk of heat illness has become a challenge for society. In addition to the National Institute for Environmental Studies and the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency, this consortium, consisting of private companies and organizations that possess solutions for heat illness countermeasures, will conduct activities aimed at reducing heat illness risk. It will serve as a driving force that connects government bodies, research institutions, and organizations facing issues related to heat illness, and will accelerate the social implementation of more practical heat illness countermeasures.

■Main Activities and Future Developments

This consortium will promote the following activities as its main pillars:

・Joint research toward the social implementation of heat illness countermeasures
・Awareness activities and information provision for social implementation
・Sharing Japan's heat illness prevention measures with the world, among other activities

Through these activities, the consortium aims to share the knowledge gained widely with society and contribute to safer, more secure lives for people.

■Consortium Members

[Founding Organizations] (in Japanese alphabetical order)
Earth Corporation, ECHONET Consortium, Otsuka Wellness Vending Co., Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc., National Institute for Environmental Studies (※ Secretariat), Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan, Nippon Life Insurance Company, HoriPro Inc.

[Support]
Ministry of the Environment, Japan

■Otsuka's Initiatives for Heat Illness Prevention

In the Otsuka Group's Fourth Medium-Term Management Plan, "Global Environment" is positioned as one of the key social issues to be addressed. As climate change leads to an increase in extremely hot days and tropical nights worldwide, measures to address health issues related to managing physical condition during rising temperatures and preventing heat-related illness are becoming increasingly important.

For more than 30 years, Otsuka has conducted educational activities on the importance of fluid and electrolyte intake across a wide range of settings and age groups, including sports, schools, and workplaces exposed to heat. In addition to entering into comprehensive health collaboration agreements with more than 800 local governments nationwide, in 2023, Otsuka also concluded the Ministry of the Environment's first partnership agreement for promoting heat illness prevention.

In recent years, Otsuka has been developing systems to widely disseminate accurate information, including hosting the "Heat Illness Prevention Ambassador®" training program for municipalities, schools, and companies (special cooperation: Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency; support: Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), as well as providing "Otsuka Educational Materials and Resources" for elementary, junior high, and high school teachers, and the program for older adults, "FACEDUO Heat Illness Prevention VR."

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.

About Otsuka

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a total healthcare company that focuses on each individual's potential to enhance their well-being. Our medical-related business provides treatments and diagnostics for both physical and mental health. Our nutraceutical business supports daily health maintenance and improvement. Otsuka's unique products and services are based on scientific evidence, under the guidance of our corporate philosophy: Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide. For further information, please visit www.otsuka.co.jp/en/