Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0513_01.html
On May 13, 2014 the new Otsuka offices in Glattbrugg, near Zürich, Switzerland were officially opened. At the opening ceremony, guests were honoured by the presence of Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland, H.E. Ambassador Ryuhei Maeda and his wife.
The opening ceremony was themed around the traditional Japanese cherry blossom festival Sakura Hanami, as a symbol of new beginnings and spring. In addition, the cherry blossom stands for the numerous similarities between Switzerland and Japan. In Switzerland, cherries are a major crop in summer and are celebrated with several specialties, including the famous Kirsch-Schnaps, whereas in Japan cherry blossom is celebrated with a special festival.
Heidi Zbinden, who has been appointed Managing Director of Otsuka Pharmaceutical (Switzerland) GmbH opened the official part of the evening in German, English and Japanese. As former director of marketing and market access at the Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck, Heidi Zbinden has extensive experience in the Swiss pharmaceutical market, “I am very proud and excited to be a part of a company that is committed to contributing to the health and well-being of people in Europe through its innovative products and forward thinking approach.”
Dr. Taro Iwamoto, president and CEO of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. travelled from Japan to Switzerland for the opening event and introduced the guests to the philosophy and values of the company, “At Otsuka our aim is to bring our innovation and creativity to all corners of the world, enabling us to contribute to the health of people across the globe. The establishment of our new office in Zurich brings us one step closer to this goal and marks a major milestone in the continued growth of Otsuka in Europe.”
The new offices in Glattbrugg are located only a short drive away from the airport and with good links to the city of Zürich. They provide a welcoming and calm working atmosphere in a modern environment. Currently Otsuka Pharmaceutical (Switzerland) GmbH employs a team of fourteen people.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical (Switzerland) GmbH was also welcomed by the mayor of Opfikon-Glattbrugg, Paul Remund, with a toast during dinner.
With the opening of the new offices in Glattbrugg, Otsuka Europe has taken another step in establishing a long-term presence in Switzerland. Ole Vahlgren, CEO and President of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe Ltd. said, “We are proud to introduce our innovative products to the Swiss market and look forward to becoming a valued and trusted partner in the Swiss healthcare community.”
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0418_01.html
To nurture global leaders, the French government is working with the French Embassy in Japan and organized a program, inviting French students to visit companies in Japan to deepen the understanding of each other’s cultures. ISEFAC is one of the largest private education organizations in France and this year, 62 of its master’s students joined the study tour to Japan.
Otsuka is one of the stops these HR Management, Public Relations and Marketing students made. In the past, such overseas study groups have traveled to Denmark and China. Next year will the United States.
It was a short but a very important visit for the visitors as most did not know much about Japan to begin with, let alone how companies are run in Japan. The students were very interested in Otsuka’s unique approach and venture spirit and felt that Otsuka respects human beings as well as the environment.
Lada Dibrova was impressed with Otsuka’s creative approach. “Otsuka's particularity is the fact that its field of work is science yet it has a very creative approach.
Precision and rigor are the key factors when you create pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products so it seems that there is no place for originality. Yet Otsuka turned this around and made creativity and diversity its primary values.
From what I have seen during the presentation it is these values that made Otsuka the leader on the market and helped take another step on the way of solving some of society's essential problems like schizophrenia and world hunger. I also think Otsuka is a company that really values its employees and creates a positive working environment.”
Stephanie Scott said, “I wasn’t aware that Gerblé was held by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, so now I know that Otsuka isn’t only a pharmaceutical company but also a nutrition company.”
Another ISEFAC student, Doriane Gouas-Vadot shared, “My first impression of Otsuka was that it is obvious that Otsuka is with an international scope. Just look at the website, it positively breaks the rules usually respected by pharmaceutical companies and gives the impression that the company is very close to patients.”
Mr. Byunghoon Lee gave a presentation about Otsuka’s culture to the French master’s degree students by beginning with Otsuka Group’s philosophy: Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide.
This philosophy has driven employees to create great things and grow the company in a unique way. In order to explain the philosophy, slides with the four main points were used to explain further; ‘Otsuka-people’, ‘For better health’, ‘Creativity’ and ‘Diversity’.
First, Otsuka’s most important asset is its employees who follow these four main pillars. Secondly, Otsuka is a for-profit company, but approaches ‘healthcare’ in the sincerest way possible. Thirdly, Otsuka people must use their ‘creativity’ and practice their ‘diversity’ in order to accomplish their ultimate goal of ‘creating new products for better health worldwide’.
Otsuka’s creativity starts with ‘paradigm shift’ and embracing ‘diversity’ of Otsuka people and their ideas. To better explain the concept, the presentation was wrapped up with the turning of the flat world map upside down to show the guests that Otsuka employees are always encouraged to think differently rather than to follow the convention.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0402_01.html
A new Office for National Statistics (ONS) study has indicated that Japanese women have the longest life expectancy among women in 21 selected countries – an average of 86.4 years.*1
In an aging society with an increasing average lifespan, data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare indicate that the gap between healthy life expectancy and average life expectancy is 9.2 years for men and 12.8 years for women. This means that women are spending around one-seventh of their actual life either bedridden or in care. Because the extension of healthy life expectancy and better quality of life for women is becoming more important, the Japanese government has made women’s health one of the pillars of the government’s "New Health Frontier Strategy".
For many years of soy research, Otsuka Pharmaceutical has focused on the relationship between equol and psychological and physical changes in menopausal women. In 2002 the Lactococcus 20-92, which produces equol, was successfully isolated. Both the Pharmaceuticals Business Division and the Nutraceuticals*2 Business Division have conducted a range of research in both Japan and the US into the safety and efficacy of equol produced using this lactic acid bacterium to ferment soy germ (natural S-equol).
EQUELLE is a processed food made with lactic acid bacteria from fermented soy germ containing equol. Equol, produced from a soy isoflavone, especially daidzein, in the intestine is known to act like an estrogen. But only around 50% of Japanese women and 30% of European and American women have the capacity to produce it. It is important to all women to continuously take equol to maintain and improve health.
A joint US-Japan equol research collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Business Division of Otsuka Pharmaceutical proves that we are the field leader in the research of safety and efficacy of equol. This study contributes to women’s health who are 40 and over during and after menopause. The company has also isolated the lactic acid bacterium that produces equol and developed technology to produce equol by fermenting soy germ.
Rapid falls in estrogen levels among women from their forties onwards causes a range of physical and psychological changes, and accurate knowledge and information about these changes is desirable for proper management. In addition, proper care during this stage of life has significant implications for the lives of women as they age, and is important for extending healthy life expectancy.
However, women sometimes suffer alone, unable to obtain information on what they need to do, and when. Staff with expert knowledge will be located throughout Japan to explain to women 40 and over about the importance of healthcare and the role of equol at their health stage.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. launched EQUELLE at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics across Japan and the product will also be available via the Otsuka Plus One e-commerce website.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0401_01.html
Otsuka Group welcomed 424 new employees at the annual New Staff Ceremony that was held on April 1st, 2014. Among them, 194 were accepted into Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., thirty more new employees compared to last year.
In his welcoming speech to the new hires, Dr. Taro Iwamoto, president & representative director, Otsuka Pharmaceutical said, “Otsuka is a challenger that grows through creativity. For that, we need leadership, innovation and diversity.”
Each year on April 1st, many college graduates start a new chapter in their lives as a new employee in Japanese companies.
At Otsuka, the annual orientation for the new staff is held at the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory Inc. in Tokushima (an hour and half flight south of Tokyo). That’s where Otsuka Pharmaceutical was founded nearly 50 years ago.
Mr. Tatsuo Higuchi, president & representative director, and CEO of Otsuka Holdings began the ceremony by saying,
“Proof through Execution” refers to achieving self-realization and arriving at the truth through one's own accomplishments. “Creativity” is the pursuit of creating that which only Otsuka can, imitating no one. These together are the foundation of the Otsuka Group's business – guiding us all, without straying or losing our way, on a path that is straight and true.”
Dr. Taro Iwamoto, president & representative director, Otsuka Pharmaceutical asked the confident, bright and young new staff what leadership meant to them.
He also cautioned them not to be scared of failures, “Without failing, you cannot succeed. I want you to be challengers and go out into the world to learn from your failures and succeed!”
Of the 194 new employees coming to Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 10 of them are mid-career hires while the rest are new graduates from universities. The best and the brightest are recruited from Japan and overseas to join the Otsuka family.
Ryo Watanabe is one of Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s new hires. While still in graduate school, he had come across an article about Otsuka.
“When I read in the article that Otsuka continued research for one drug for several decades, until it was able to create something unique, useful and successful, I knew that I wanted to be part of a company that won’t give up easily.”
In his speech to all the company heads at the new staff ceremony, he said that Otsuka has a lot of attractive products. The reason for that is because Otsuka utilizes the talents of diverse group of individuals. And through discussions as well as clashes, new ideas are born that lead to unique products. With that in mind, he said he and his peers look forward to their work at Otsuka enthusiastically.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0401_02.html
In Japan, finding day care service is extremely difficult. The “Beanstalk Kids Center OSAKA” that opened on April 1st right next to the new Osaka office building, is located in the proximity of Otsuka Group offices in an urban area of Osaka, where the problem of long day care waiting lists is particularly severe.*1 Beanstalk Kids Center OSAKA was built for Otsuka employees.
Company Senior Managements is committed to child care because Chairman Akihiko Otsuka has always believed in utilizing the talents of a diverse group of individuals to create innovative products and ideas.
Therefore, day care service has always been an important aspect for Otsuka. Also, to promote the efforts of a more diverse employee base, Otsuka has been introducing systems such as flexible working hours, paid caregiver leave, and telecommuting arrangements.
More than 80% of children on waiting lists for day care are younger than 2.*1 Otsuka’s second day care center accepts infants as young as 57 days old. Although Japanese day care centers are open for 10.5 hours a day on average,*2 Otsuka’s day care center will be open for up to 12.5 hours in order to more easily accommodate the schedules of Otsuka employees.
The first day care center, the “Tokushima Beanstalk Kids Center” was opened in Tokushima three years ago. The number of applicants has increased because of the center’s popularity, and it now cares for more than 3 times the number of children it did when it first opened. The Tokushima Beanstalk Kids’ Center can now accommodate 150 children, up from 100. That is very rare as most Japanese day care centers managed by companies for their employees only offer placements for 30 children.*2 Otsuka has plans to open more day care centers in Japan and overseas.
Luxurious and rare in any day care centers, tall north-facing windows allow in large amounts of indirect sunlight into the center. Low eaves just like a traditional Japanese veranda also create the visual effect of large open space that offers children a creative space to learn and grow. The interior space utilizes natural materials such as wood and cork (flooring).
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0326_01.html
The awards ceremony for the 60th annual Okochi Prize (awarded by the Okochi Memorial Foundation) was held on March 26 at the Industrial Club of Japan. The highest honor, the Okochi Memorial Prize was awarded to the Otsuka researchers for the development of aripiprazole, a drug for the treatment of schizophrenia.
The Otsuka recipients received the highest honor, the Okochi Memorial Prize, for the development of aripiprazole. At the awards ceremony, Corporate Advisor Yasuo Oshiro, on behalf all of the recipients, thanked the Foundation for the award, and stated the recipients’ determination to contribute to society, as expressed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s corporate motto “Otsuka—people creating new products for better health worldwide.”
The Okochi Memorial Foundation was established in 1954 in honor of Dr. Masatoshi Okochi, who was the third president of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research and who held that position from 1917 to 1946, for his contributions to academia and industry. The Foundation began awarding prizes for the purpose of “promoting the use of science and technology for practical applications.”
The Okochi Prizes are awarded to individuals, groups of individuals, or companies to recognize their contributions to Japan’s industrial technology. Each year, one Okochi Memorial Production Prize and five Okochi Memorial Technology Prizes are awarded. And recipients are selected following careful review by a review board consisting of 20 individuals, including university professors, and by the board of directors of the Okochi Memorial Foundation.
Aripiprazole has been approved in more than 70 countries around the world, and is the only third- generation drug recognized for the treatment of schizophrenia, having a novel structure that is not possessed by conventional drugs, which have a carbostyril skeleton.
Aripiprazole acts as a partial D2 receptor agonist to stabilize neurotransmision and improve both the positive and the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, and is also characterized by fewer adverse reactions.
The Okochi Memorial Prize was awarded based not only on the results that have been achieved in the field of life sciences, but also on the achievements that have been attained in the field of production technology, such as the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation Imperial Invention Prize received in 2012.
Aripiprazole is manufactured using a cost-effective manufacturing method that allows a large quantity of high-purity product to be manufactured and a process in which a water-based solvent with little environmental impact is used. Bulk manufacture has achieved zero emission status. A method allowing the stable manufacture of specific anhydride crystals, which had previously been difficult, was achieved through the inventiveness and creativity of manufacturing personnel. The establishment of a robust manufacturing process in the Production Department has enabled stable supply of drug substance on a commercial scale.
Many of the people working in the Manufacturing Department who contributed greatly to aripiprazole’s success attended the awards ceremony and were recognized for their achievement.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0320_01.html
At the “Healthcare in Asia 2014”, leaders and numerous other senior officials from national governments and international agencies from Asian countries, including The Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, gave speeches to share their thoughts on how to move forward with healthcare for Asian countries. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. was the lead sponsor for this annual event hosted by the Economist Conferences, publisher of the esteemed magazine The Economist. The event was held on March 20th and March 21st in Singapore.
Patrizia Carlevaro, the Managing Director of Otsuka SA in Geneva, Switzerland, spoke during a session highlighting the issue of multidrug resistant tuberculosis in Asia.
Ms. Carlevaro said after HIV/AIDS, TB remains the second greatest infectious disease killer in the world. In 2012, TB caused 8.6 million new illnesses and 1.3 million deaths. The disease is present in every country in the world and knows no borders. Nonetheless, Asia shares its disproportionate burden, with almost 60% of the incidences of all forms of TB.
Ms. Carlevaro continued to explain that we have few tools to enable us to win with TB. Most current diagnostic tools and vaccines are largely ineffective, and treatment options are limited. Moreover, in the last 40 years only 2 new TB drugs have been approved.
Government and donor intervention is necessary. Private industry cannot conquer TB alone. With almost 9 million people getting sick every year, clearly, TB control is in worldwide public interest and can be thought of as a public good. The private sector plays a significant role in the provision of TB care, hence it must be included in any public health approach to TB control.
In Indonesia almost 40% of patients consult private practitioners in case of illness. In India about 80% of all the qualified doctors, 75% of the dispensaries, 60% of the hospitals, and 75% of the country’s health expenditure are all in the private sector.
Apart from the need for political commitment, more funding and medical research is crucial along with involving all the health care providers—both public and private—into the debate. Especially in Asia, as a large proportion of patients consult private doctors, go to private hospitals, and buy from private pharmacists, TB cannot be controlled unless the private practitioners are involved.
Not enough is done to overcome these obstacles. The political commitment to controlling TB in some governments remains low. And, since TB knows no borders, unless everyone joins, no one can fully win.
As the lead sponsor of Healthcare in Asia, Otsuka had a booth where Otsuka staffs were on hand to explain facts about MDR-TB and the company’s long-standing commitment to TB research and development. Visitors to the booth also enjoyed refreshing rehydrating POCARI SWEAT and nutritional SOYJOY bars.
Lead sponsor: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Supporting sponsors: Cigna, Mundipharma International, Pfizer, Philips, Vifor Pharma
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0304_01.html
A glass-clad tower that reflects the sky is Otsuka Osaka’s unique and innovative presence that is now the new office for Otsuka group companies in Japan’s second largest city. This new building with unprecedented construction method with window frames function as load-bearing pillars, eliminating pillars throughout the office areas and creating unique open and airy spaces, was designed to bring out the best from a diverse group of employees.
Instead of the common approach of straight beams located inside windows, Otsuka’s new office building employs crossed, slanted beams for increased strength also functioning as seismic control structures. Incorporating the windows into the beams makes the office more spacious and inviting. Pillars have been placed diagonally for increased strength and incorporated into the window frames to make the workspaces larger and easier to use.
The generous expanse of glass reflects the sky, resulting in a bright, translucent presence. The innovative design is characterized by glass extending all the way to the corners. The bright open space is to allow each individual the freedom to utilize his or her own unique creative instincts to come up with innovative ideas and products. We expect our new workplace to generate flexible thinking and original ideas, freed from conventional stereotypes.
Old Boys’ (Old Girls’) Club is another area where creative juices can be exchanged without the seriousness of a conference room. OB Club first opened its doors at the Tokyo headquarters in Kanda in 1986. Less than a year later, Osaka office opened its own. To continue the idea of offering a relaxing space for employees to gather, a new OB Club was added in the Shinagawa office in 2007. With the opening of the new office is Osaka, the former Osaka OB Club was replaced with a new one.
Otsuka believes that utilizing the talents of a diverse group of individuals who are not constrained by nationality, gender, or other prejudices promotes innovation and globalization, and Otsuka will therefore continue its efforts to create an employee-friendly work environment.
This is Otsuka Group’s second office building in Osaka.
Atop Osaka’s first Otsuka office building, still in use, is the upside down map that can be seen from the new building.
Chairman Otsuka had come across an artist who depicted the world map upside down. That was when it struck him that Otsuka needs to view the world in a totally new way, other than how it has always been depicted.
It is to remind Otsuka employees to think differently rather than to follow the convention that this map is prominently displayed on top of the building.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0303_01.html
Otsuka Pharmaceutical is the first pharmaceutical company to be awarded the “Diversity Management Selection 100”, for successfully creating a more female-friendly workplace.
This award is given by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to companies that have used diversity management to increase their value, as a way of increasing recognition and awareness of efforts to promote diversity and increasing the number of companies who promote diversity. The ministry plans to give this award to approximately 100 companies in total over a 3-year period, which started in 2012. In 2012, 43 companies received the award and 2013, 46 received it.
In the opening speech of the State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ms. Midori Matsushima said, “It is Otsuka’s hope that the promotion of diversity by various means will contribute not only to the company’s growth, but to the growth of the entire Japanese economy. Otsuka would like to see the best practices of the companies receiving this award spur the growth and expansion of Japanese industry.”
Ms. Matsushima pointed out that, “Different companies are employing various means to achieve results. Otsuka Pharmaceuticals’ SoyCarat, which is prominently displayed in many stores, was developed by a female researcher. The Japanese name for this snack, “SoyKara,” comes from the rattling sound of the snack “kara kara”, when the soybean pods are shaken.” Making the product enjoyable to all five senses and a healthy one too, since it is baked and not fried.
Women account for 11.4% of Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s executives, compared to industry average of 1.2%*1. More than 20% of Otsuka’s MRs are female, compared to an average of 10% at other companies.*2 The number of female Otsuka employees who continue to work after giving birth is 11 times higher than what it was 6 years ago in 2007 when Otsuka Women’s Workshops were first held. Otsuka has also implemented flexible work arrangements to allow for child care and has made it its goal to open more company day care centers.
Mothers-to-be get full pay before and after birth (during maternity leave), including full bonus pay even though the law mandates two-thirds pay and can get up to 1.5 years of maternity/child care leave. To help Otsuka’s employees who are parents with young children, they can opt for shortened work days, which are available to those with children not yet in first grade. Also flexible work hours, from confirmation of the pregnancy until the child enters 8th grade is available.
Since the 1980s, when the concept of “diversity” was not yet widely recognized, Otsuka Pharmaceutical has believed that the creation of innovative products and ideas requires utilizing the talents of a diverse group of individuals. The Otsuka senior management has been promoting diversity aggressively since then.
Starting in the 1990s, Otsuka made a more female-friendly workplace a specific goal, with initiatives that included organizing “Women’s Forums.” There’s also Otsuka Women’s Workshops for sharing information about child care with female MRs who are married, pregnant, or have given birth. These workshops have been held since 2007. Male employees are not left out. There are “Ikumen” seminars (“Ikumen” - a Japanese term that loosely means “involved dad”) aimed primarily at male employees to promote a healthy work—life balance.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0228_01.html
On February 28, Otsuka Pharmaceutical signed a five-year extension of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare for cooperation in pharmaceutical product research and development.
The signing ceremony took place on a hazy but fine day in a conference room at the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sejong-ro. Otsuka was the first Japanese company to complete such a Memorandum, with the initial agreement signed on September 9, 2009.
Representing South Korea at the signing were Ministry of Health and Welfare Mr. Youngchan Lee and Mr. Seokkyu Lee from the Health Industry Promotion Division. Four Otsuka representatives attended: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., President & Representative Director, Taro Iwamoto, Ph.D.; Korea OIAA Chairman, Dae-hyun Yoo, Ph.D.;
Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company President, Mr. Sung-ho Moon and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Deputy General Manager, Headquarters of New Product Evaluation and Development, Mr. Mitsuo Hamamoto, began the ceremony by thanking Otsuka Pharmaceutical for its contribution to South Korea and for its initial decision to invest in the country.
In response, Otsuka explained the importance of South Korea in its pharmaceutical business expansion in Asia, emphasizing the contribution will continue to make medical treatment available for patients in Asia, including South Korea. The signing ceremony was characterized by a spirit of goodwill.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical vowed to continue to promote friendly relations between Japan and South Korea, and to support drug development and development of human resources in South Korea.
Part of that commitment was manifested earlier that month when nine South Korean medical students took part in the Korean Pharmaceutical Student Study Tour 2014 to Japan, the third time the tour has been held. These recipients of Otsuka Pharmaceutical awards at the Pharm Young Leader Academy, sponsored by the Korean Pharmaceutical Association had been recommended by South Korea’s academic affairs board.
The students learned about the spirit and culture of Otsuka with the aim of training them to become future leaders, internationally as well as in South Korea. They learned about the Otsuka philosophy of breaking down fixed ideas by challenging concepts and prevailing common sense. The tour is an extension of the MOU between Otsuka and the South Korean government’s Ministry of Health and Welfare for building a cooperative relationship on pharmaceutical research and development in South Korea.
The students got to observe the manufacturing of intravenous infusions – the origin of Otsuka Pharmaceutical as well as visit the Otsuka Museum of Art. Both in the lectures and during various visits, frank questions flowed in a lively fashion with youthful enthusiasm and sharpness. Each and every young person took full advantage of the training, taking their own particular learning and experiences home with them.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0214_02.html
The Otsuka Museum of Art hosted the fifth Sistine Kabuki production – The Marriage of Figaro – for 3 days, on February 14, 15, and 16. Tickets sold out almost as soon as they went on sale. Two performances were held each day in Tokushima, Japan and were attended by about 2600 visitors.
From its inception, "Sistine Kabuki" productions have been based on the themes of Japanese-Western collaboration and the creation of innovative kabuki theater.
The current production – the Marriage of Figaro – is the first Sistine Kabuki comedy, and was based on Mozart's opera of the same name. Kazuo Mizuguchi produced and directed, and Kanjuro Fujima handled the choreography. Amidst the strains of Western and Japanese traditional music performed by the Tokushima Indoor String Quartet, two large stages, one in front and one in the rear of the audience, connected by an elevated "flower way" walkway, as well as a small stage placed almost in the middle of the "flower way," used the majesty of the 40-meter Sistine Hall to great effect.
The Marriage of Figaro was set in Spain, but for this production the setting was moved to the country of Awa (present-day Tokushima), and the story was modified somewhat. Starting with the third performance, Ainosuke Kataoka played the roles corresponding to both Figaro and the Ronin who appears in this production. Kazutaro Nakamura played the role of Susanna, Kichiya Kamimura played the role of Countess Rosina Almaviva, Shouzou Uesugi played the role of Count Almaviva, and Miya Setouchi, a former star of the Takarazuka Review musical theater troupe and a native of Tokushima, played the role of Marcellina.
The love story of Figaro, the head of Count Almaviva's servant-staff, and his bride-to-be Susanna is complicated by Countess Rosina's desire for revenge against her husband the count, who is attempting to seduce Susanna, by the efforts of Marcellina to use trickery to compel Figaro to marry her, and by the efforts of the Ronin to re-establish his house and title. The tanuki "racoon dog" legends of the land of Awa and the machinations of the various characters came to life in the Otsuka Museum of Art's Sistine Hall.
The Sistine Kabuki productions have attracted considerable media attention for the use of flamenco in the third production (GOEMON) and modern music and Western dance in the previous production (Shiro Amakusa). This production continued this trend, incorporating samba rhythms, and including songs sung by the performers, which is extremely rare in kabuki, and has thus led to this production attracting attention as a "Kabuki musical."
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0214_01.html
The Nikkei Asian Infectious Diseases Conference was held on February 14 and 15, 2014 in Nago City, Okinawa in order to discuss measures for preventing the spread of communicable diseases in Asia. The Okinawa prefectural government and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare provided support for the conference, and Otsuka Pharmaceutical participated as a cosponsor. Otsuka presented the panel discussion on tuberculosis, which was one of the important panel discussions at the conference.
Tuberculosis is one of the three leading communicable diseases in the world, along with malaria and AIDS. Tuberculosis is said to infect one-third of the world’s population of 7 billion. Tuberculosis is a problem of the present, not the past, and not only is it a problem in developed countries, it is an even more serious problem in Asia and in developing countries. The discussion covered recent advances that have been made by Otsuka Pharmaceutical in response to the demand for new drugs, and what steps are needed to combat tuberculosis in the future.
The reason there have been no new tuberculosis drugs in 50 years is that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a tough organism, and development is difficult and requires a tremendous amount of time and money.
Why did Otsuka Pharmaceutical want to take on such a challenge? One reason is that for more than 40 years Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s corporate philosophy has been to improve the health of people around the world. A second reason is related to Otsuka’s global presence – Otsuka opened a plant in Thailand in 1973 and one in China in 1980, and now has approximately 30,000 employees around the world, 70% of whom are employed overseas. And 70% of these overseas workers are in Asia, and are therefore living, with their families, in high-burden tuberculosis countries. A third reason is that, since opening a research institute in 1971, Otsuka’s stated research mission has been to not conduct any imitative research, but to conduct research that is unique to Otsuka, research that, in fact, only Otsuka is capable of conducting, in order to discover first-in-class drugs. Moreover, Otsuka was able to forcefully pursue tuberculosis research because it was the idea of Akihiko Otsuka, Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s current Chairman.
Research began in 1982 but efficacy was not met and the research failed. Because tuberculosis is a tough organism that grows slowly over 24 hours, Otsuka instead adopted an approach that involved searching for a drug that was not only potent, but also toxic, and then trying to ameliorate the toxicity later. This is the exact opposite of the conventional approach. Together with partner laboratories, Otsuka synthesized 14,000 types of compounds and, in 2002, discovered a promising novel compound; clinical studies were initiated in 2004.
As a future research activity, Otsuka would like to try to establish a global regimen that includes new tuberculosis drugs in order to prevent the emergence of strains that are resistant to new drugs. Dr. Ishikawa said that Otsuka’s aim is to discover an anti-tuberculosis drug that can be used to treat latent tuberculosis infections and that can cure tuberculosis quickly, in 1 to 2 months, in order to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains.
The emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS and the movement of people from developing to developed countries (the moving of tuberculosis/communicable diseases) are major problems in Asia and Japan. Around the globe, 940,000 people die of tuberculosis, approximately 70% of them in Asia, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis accounts for 187,000 deaths. Dr. Shimao said that Japan’s role should be to develop simple techniques that allow multidrug-resistant strains to be detected and new drugs to follow in the footsteps of Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s new anti-tuberculosis drug.
Every year, there are 450,000 cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Pandemic regions are Southeast Asia, which accounts for 40%, Africa, which accounts for 26%, and the Central and South America, which accounts for 19%. Overlapping infection with HIV or the presence of a multidrug-resistant strain results in a cure rate of no more than approximately 50%. In the absence of a cure, the death rate is 90%. New drugs that can effect a rapid cure and new drugs that can be used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and that have little hepatotoxicity and few drug interactions are needed. Even though tuberculosis is the world’s tenth most lethal disease, only 5 to 8 products are currently in development. Tuberculosis is a disease that must not be forgotten, as it is far from gone.
The conference was attended by researchers and governmental representatives from all over Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia; there were 30 presenters, and 150 participants in all, from both Japan and abroad. Japan is closely connected to other countries in Asia through a web of economic, personal and other ties. Communicable diseases pose the biggest danger to health in Asia, and Japan needs to play a leading role in combating them. The official statement of the conference asserted the need for the creation of an Asian network for fighting communicable diseases.
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https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0207_01.html
After claiming the right to play in J1 League*1, after beating 3rd placed Kyoto Sanga 2-0 in the playoff final, Tokushima Vortis became the first team ever from the Shikoku region to play in the top league in Japan. They are now training hard in order to stay in J1 League they had fought so hard to get in.
Vortis was coined from the Italian word 'vortice', which means 'whirlpool'. In Naruto City, part of the club's hometown, you can see lively whirling tides at the Naruto Strait. The name was chosen to exhibit the dynamics of a whirlpool in the hope of swallowing up the whole audience in excitement by its power, speed and unity.
Every match, the team tries its best to engage its fans by giving their best. With players from Brazil and South Korea as members of its team, Vortis has been a force to be reckoned with.
Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's four principal islands and the club's hometown is the entire prefecture of Tokushima, including the prefectural capital of Tokushima City.
After being founded as the soccer division of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory Inc. in 1955, the club entered the Japan Football League (JFL) via the Japan Soccer League. In 2005 as the club entered the J. League and participated in J2, it adopted the current name, Tokushima Vortis. The team has been sponsored by POCARI SWEAT since entering the J. League.
Tokushima Vortis coach Shinji Kobayashi, was appointed ahead of the 2012 season. In 2002 he won the J2 title with Oita Trinita and he also guided Montedio Yamagata to a second-place finish and promotion to J1 in 2008. He has demonstrated his skills with Vortis too and has been nicknamed the 'promotion contractor'.
Having started his career as a teacher, Coach Kobayashi said he has found pure joy in nurturing his players and watching them succeed in their own soccer careers.
Unlike any big budget teams that have the ability to acquire established soccer players, Vortis is a team that offers opportunities to those who were passed over. Because Vortis a team that nurtures today’s athletes to becoming tomorrow’s superstars.
Coach Kobayashi promised his team to keep all original players and pointed out that it was extremely important for the team members to not get seriously injured. Another must is for the team to up its game by shortening their response times. He said J1 is totally different from J2. J1 team players have remarkable stamina and speed. And of course, fans’ support and cheering them on live at the matches make all the difference!
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0120_01.html
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals signed a partnership contract for the 17th Asian Games (Incheon 2014) and the 18th Asian Games (Hanoi 2019) at the General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia that was held in Manila, the Philippines on January 18. This contract makes Otsuka Pharmaceuticals’ POCARI SWEAT the official drink of the Asian Games, the largest sports competition in Asia, through 2019 and the sole Japanese corporate sponsor.
The first Asian Games were held in 1951 in New Delhi, India and only 500 competitors from 11 countries participated. At the 16th Asian Games, however, which were held in 2010 in Guangzhou, China, 9704 competitors from 45 countries participated, making the Asian Games the largest sporting event in Asia. The Asian Games are referred to as the Asian Olympics, governed by the Olympic Council of Asia, and boasts the largest number of sporting competitions in the world. They are held once every 4 years, and starting with the 2019 Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, they will be held on the year before the Olympics, a timing which is expected to further increase their profile as a prelude to the Olympics.
Hanoi, with a population of 6.5 million, is the second-largest city in Vietnam. After it was announced that the 2019 Asian Games would be held in Vietnam, the Vietnamese government announced plans to accelerate investment in infrastructure nationwide, and it is said that Vietnam’s GDP growth between 2008 – 2025 will be the highest in the world. POCARI SWEAT’S brand recognition appears poised to increase along with Vietnam’s rapid growth.
The population of Asian Games member countries totals approximately 3.8 billion*1, which accounts for about half of the world population. Otsuka Pharmaceutical believes that sports are an important element of health for people in Asian countries, which are growing and changing dynamically, and will supply POCARI SWEAT as the official drink. This ion beverage is sold in 17 countries and regions, mainly in Asia. POCARI SWEAT quickly replenishes fluids and electrolytes lost through perspiration to support athlete conditioning and aid maximum performance. Otsuka Pharmaceutical is currently the sole Japanese partner of the Games.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical first expanded overseas 40 years ago, starting with Asia (Thailand in 1973, Taiwan and Indonesia in 1974). The OIAA*3 Division is currently expanding both pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals*4 businesses in Asian and Arab countries and business scale has grown tenfold in the last decade.
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals has been an active partner at three past Asian Games (the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, and the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar). During each of these games, Otsuka set up base camps for POCARI SWEAT, the official beverage of the games, in the athletes’ village to provide support activities, focusing on water replenishment, to ensure that the competitors stayed in good condition. Through these activities, Otsuka built a good relationship with the Olympic Council of Asia.
The Incheon Games will open on September 19. The slogan for the Incheon Games is “Diversity Shines Here,” indicating the goal of an athletic competition where all of the competitors can come together as a single family while still respecting each other’s individuality.
In 2014 and 2019 POCARI SWEAT will be the symbol that unites everyone in the Otsuka Group. We look forward to continuing to receive your support and encouragement in the future.
Read the full story with photos at:
https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/globalnews/2014/0115_01.html
On November 8th, 2013 the strongest typhoon that hit the earth landed in the Philippines. Typhoon Haiyan’s wind strength at landfall beat out Hurricane Camille’s, which were 305 km-per-hour winds (190 miles-per-hour winds) at landfall in the US in 1969. The aftermath was devastating, with 6,166 deaths as of January 3rd, 2014 (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), 28,626 injured, 1,785 missing and 4 million people displaced.
Soon after the typhoon hit and the weather settled down a bit for Otsuka staff to move around safely, 200 cases of POCARI SWEAT was donated to Emergency Rescue Foundation, which was already reaching out directly to displaced people in Ormoc, Cebu, Leyte and Samar. By the second week, volunteer doctors from Manila flew to Tacloban to conduct medical missions for the typhoon victims and 50 more cases of POCARI SWEAT was donated to help hydrate patients suffering from illnesses where oral rehydration was essential.
Seven power generator sets were delivered to doctors holding clinics in Ormoc Province which was without electricity since the onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan. They were requested by the doctors in Ormoc province and the generators were provided through the CSR arm of OPPI "Otsuka Cares". The power generators enabled the doctors to continuously attend to their patients in their temporary clinics. Many agencies and volunteers have started their activities in Tacloban, while there are many areas where no assistance has reached yet. The medical mission conducted by ERUF, our partner, was the first assistance in Barangay Macabug, Ormoc City.
As we are a primarily a health care company, OPPI deemed it best to use consolidated donated funds of different Otsuka affiliates including the personal donations of OPPI employees for a project that will cater to the health needs of victims particularly for the rehabilitation of Rural Health Unit II located at Barangay Sulangan, Guiuan, Samar, one of the areas severely affected by the typhoon. To stand with fellow brothers and sisters, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Philippines Inc. (OPPI) canceled the annual Christmas Party and used the fund to help typhoon victims. We are extremely proud how Otsuka staff came together for all the efforts to help out the people in the Philippines. We are so grateful to all for giving us hope!