Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tokyo, Japan; President: Makoto Inoue; hereinafter Otsuka), a Special Sponsor of the Summer Inter-High School Championships(Inter-High) for eight consecutive years, will support the health of competitors and officials and safe operation of the 2021 event with a variety of heat disorder prevention measures tailored for new lifestyles.

① All participating athletes to be provided with POCARI SWEAT Powder (for 1L x 5) and original squeeze bottle with event logo

To minimize direct contact between athletes and event staff, avoid sharing of beverages, and prevent crowding, the usual beverage distribution booths in which high school student staff members distributed beverages in paper cups have been eliminated. Instead, athletes will be encouraged to use supplied personal squeeze bottles for hydration during the event.

② Aid stations at all event venues to be stocked with POCARI SWEAT ICE SLURRY

Supplies of frozen POCARI SWEAT ICE SLURRY will be stocked in freezers and coolers at aid stations as an effective pre-cooling item.

③ Support for advance qualification as "Heat Disorder Prevention Advisor"^* for organizing committee and staff members

Event organizers and venue staff members will be offered an opportunity to learn about heat disorder prevention, and those who complete the short course will be awarded a "Heat Disorder Prevention Advisor" credential. Heat disorder prevention measures at each event venue will be overseen by teams led by accredited individuals who are familiar with basic knowledge and response methods.

Beginning in 2014, Otsuka has supported the Inter-High Championships as a Special Sponsor for eight consecutive years. Though the main competition was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, Otsuka provided products and information on management of physical condition during exercise for alternative athletic competitions organized on a local level. The 2021 meet to be held for the Hokushin'etsu block will require careful coordination of infection control measures tailored for new lifestyles, and Otsuka is partnering with the All Japan High School Athletic Federation and local organizing committees to support heat disorder prevention and ensure the health and safety of competitors and officials.

Takashi Nara, Managing Director of All Japan High School Athletic Federation, commented on the range of support activities: "Measures to prevent heat disorders among athletes competing in the summer meeting are extremely important, and we are grateful to Otsuka Pharmaceutical for their support over the years. This year, we must also be rigorous about infection control. We look forward to support that enables athletes to give their best in competition."

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

• • ^＊About Heat Disorder Prevention Advisor program (in Japanese):
    https://www.otsuka.co.jp/nutraceutical/about/nutrition/sports-nutrition/timing/pdf/advisor.pdf

■Inter-High 2021 (Glorious Sweat and Tears: Hokushin'etsu Championships 2021)

• https://www.koukousoutai.com/2021soutai/　(in Japanese)

Organizer: All Japan High School Athletic Federation; others
Dates: Saturday, July 24 - Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Venues: Hokushin'etsu Region (Fukui, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa Prefectures) and Wakayama Prefecture

Competitions: Competitions in 30 disciplines
Track & field, gymnastics, swimming, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, soft tennis, handball, soccer, badminton, softball, sumo, judo, boating, kendo, wrestling, kyuudou (Japanese archery), tennis, climbing, cycling, boxing, hockey, weightlifting, yachting, fencing, karate, archery, naginata (polearms); canoeing, shorinji kenpo

Consolidated Opening Ceremony to be held in Fukui Prefecture
Participants: 36,283 (athletes, coaches, etc.) (reference: Inter-High 2019 Nambu Kyushu Championships)

■Additional initiatives developed for Inter-High 2021