• Concluded on February 13, 2017, the comprehensive partnership aims to support efforts to revive the Okinawa Prefecture reputation for healthy longevity through health promotion programs targeting younger generations and extending over a lifetime.
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical will utilize its expertise in heat stroke countermeasures, prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses, sports promotion, disaster mitigation and other areas, working to contribute to the extended healthy life expectancy of Okinawa Prefecture residents.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo, Japan; President: Tatsuo Higuchi) has entered into a comprehensive agreement with Okinawa Prefecture, aiming to cooperate in efforts to create a caring and energetic society conducive to spiritually rewarding lifestyles, security and peace of mind, contributing to the revitalization of local communities and enhancing the quality of services available for prefecture residents. The agreement was signed on February 13 at the Okinawa Prefecture Government Building.

Signing Ceremony at the Okinawa Prefectural Government

Nationwide statistics compiled by the Minitsry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2010 indicated a decline in average life expecancy for both male and female residents of Okinawa Prefecture. With nearly 50% of fatalities attributed to lifestyle-related illnesses, Okinawa Prefecture has identified cultivating appropriate lifetime habits from an early age as an important factor in improving the overall health and wellbeing of prefectural residents.

Aiming to revive the Okinawa Prefecture reputation for healthy longevity, the Healthy Okinawa 21 (Term 2)^*1 health promotion plan encourages proactive individual involvement in health improvement initiatives, supported by comprehensive health promotion programs to be undertaken by government agencies, communities, private groups and other related organizations.

As a comprehensive health care company, Otsuka Pharmaceutical is involved in various activities with local governments and other entities to promote health and wellbeing. In cooperation with Okinawa Prefecture, related organizations and groups, Otsuka is already participating in health-promotion activities that maximize accumulated expertise in heat stroke countermeasures, prevention of lifestyle-related illnesses, sports promotions, disaster mitigation and other areas.

With the conclusion of the comprehensive agreement, Otsuka will reinforce this collaborative alliance, providing health-related information and products based on scientific evidence to contribute to extended healthy life expectancy^*2 for Okinawa Prefecture residents.

Under the terms of the agreement, Otsuka Pharmaceutical will cooperate with Okinawa Prefecture in areas outlined below, aiming to contribute to revitalization of local communities and enhancement of the quality of services available for prefecture residents.

1. 1Initiatives related to improvement of health services including prevention of heat stroke and other health promotion activities
2. 2Sports promotion initiatives
3. 3Initiatives to improve disaster mitigation measures
4. 4Support for child and youth education and child-raising initiatives
5. 5Other initiatives in keeping with the spirit of the agreement as determined by concerned parties

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. 1Healthy Okinawa 21 (Term 2) "Plan to Revive the Okinawa of Healthy Longevity"：http://www.kenko-okinawa21.jp/010-kenkozoshinkeikaku/ (in Japanese)
2. 2Healthy life expectancy (HALE): Length of life that an individual lives without limitation in daily activities due to health problems (Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)