Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Nutraceuticals
November 20, 2008

Amino-Value Supports Tokyo Marathon 2009 as Official Drink BCAA Beverage to be Supplied as Support for 35,000 Runners

Tokyo, Japan-- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President: Taro Iwamoto) today announced that it supports Tokyo Marathon 2009, and will supply runners with branch-chain amino-acid (BCAA) beverage Amino-Value, the Official Drink of the third annual city marathon. The site, http://www.otsuka.co.jp/health/tokyo/ (Japanese website) also has been launched as an information site of Tokyo Marathon 2009, which will be held on March 22, 2009.

Tokyo Marathon 2009, with the slogan "A Day Tokyo Gets in One" is Japan's largest city marathon, hosting an estimated 35,000 amateur runners from home and abroad. This year the number of entrants was increased by 5,000 compared to last year. BCAA beverage Amino-Value will be distributed at the starting point, the finish point, and at eight aid stations along the route for the marathon participants. The expected volume of Amino-Value to be supplied this year will be 330,000 cups, which is well over last year's figure.

The special website launched on November 20, 2008 will offer advice by experts and reference columns about training and running to help participants prepare for the event. It will also provide a variety of topics aimed at supporters so they can also enjoy the event.

Amino-Value contains a source of vital branched chain amino acids - valine, leucine, and isoleucine, which are essential amino acids that are components of muscle tissue.

The product line of Amino-Value consists of W Amino-Value containing 4,000mg BCAA, Amino-Value, Amino-Value Supplement-Style granule type and Amino-Value CONC. (concentrate) which contains 2,000mg of BCAA. This wide product line offers customers a varied selection for their needs.
(Japanese-language Amino-Value website: http://bcaa.jp )

With Amino-Value, Otsuka Pharmaceutical supported approximately 260 city marathons and over 600,000 runners last year.

Based on its corporate philosophy "Otsuka-People creating new products for better health worldwide," Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is dedicated to contributing to the health of people around the world.

Tokyo Marathon 2009 Overview

Official Website: http://www.tokyo42195.org/2009/index_en.html

Organizer: JAAF (Japan Association of Athletics Federations), Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Co-organizers: Fuji Television Network, Inc., Sankei Shimbun Co., Ltd.,Yomiuri Shimbun Co., Ltd. , Nippon Television Network Co., Tokyo Shimbun
Supporters(tentative): Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Japan, Metropolitan Tokyo Mayor's Council, Japan Sports Association, Japanese Olympic Committee, Tokyo 2016 Bid Committee, Japan Sports Association for the Disabled ; others
Supervision Tokyo Amateur Athletic Association
Date & Time : Sunday, March 22, 2009
9:05 a.m. (Wheelchair Start)
9:10 a.m. (Elite and Mass Race Start)
Events: 1) Marathon 2) 10km Race
Maximum number of
entrants :
Marathon: 30,000 runners
10km race :5,000 runners
Course: Marathon:
Tokyo Metropolitan Government building -- Iidabashi -- Imperial Palace -- Hibiya -- Shinagawa -- Ginza -- Nihombashi -- Asakusa Kaminari-mon -- Tsukiji -- Ariake (Toyosu) -- Tokyo Big Sight
10km Race:
Tokyo Metropolitan Government building-- Iidabashi -- Imperial Palace -- Hibiya Park
  • *The races are conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the JAAF and Race Organizer.