See the full story with pictures at:

https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190901_vol112.html

A pressing concern for Japan is the need to reduce the amount of money the government has to spend on medical costs. One way that this can be done is to help people maintain good health after retirement. To support this goal, Otsuka has been working together with local governments, firms, and organizations across Japan to help keep people fit and healthy, with a particular focus upon specific regional problems.

In July of 2019, Otsuka joined forces with the city of Mima in Tokushima Prefecture and the pro soccer team from the area, Tokushima Vortis, to run the first Vortis Conditioning Program. The aim of this is to help citizens establish new exercise habits so as to improve their motor function, and through this reduce the likelihood of their requiring treatment in the future. By doing so, care costs can be reduced, relieving some of the financial burden on society.

This initiative made use of a Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry supported social impact bond (SIB) framework. SIBs are outcome-based contracts where private funds are used for initiatives that address social challenges, and governmental departments then later reimburse or subsidize the costs according to the program’s level of success. This project is particularly exciting as it is the first SIB in a healthcare field involving a pro soccer team.

A total of 1,800 members of the public will participate in the program over the next five years. Participants will attend weekly group training sessions with Tokushima Vortis coaches for eight weeks, as well as exercising at home at least once a week. The program will introduce the participants to a new exercise routine, and all daily physical activities will be tracked using a wearable device. The hope is that the program will help alleviate physical problems often suffered, such as those related to the hips, joints, and overall posture. After training, participants will be given a pack of Bodymainté Jelly, a lactic acid and protein supplement to support good physical condition, and receive useful nutritional information from a registered dietitian.

Participants in the first course commented that they were able to complete the exercises in about 30 minutes in their own homes, making it very easy to do. They also felt that the program had helped improve their physical condition, including their posture and problems such as stiff shoulders.

Otsuka firmly believes that good health requires attention to body, mind, and relationships with other people, and we are committed to helping nurture a healthy society by taking a holistic approach at a community level. We will continue to provide a wide range of opportunities to help people improve their well-being today, and through this contribute to the long-term health and happiness of society as a whole.

See the full story with pictures at:

https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/company/global-topics/2019/20190903_vol111.html

In recent years a lot of attention has been given to sleep, an essential part of our daily cycle, which accounts for approximately one-third of our lifetimes. World Sleep Day, organized by the World Association of Sleep Medicine, is held every March to highlight the importance of sleep for a healthy life and raise awareness of the impacts of sleep disorders. In Japan there is an additional day focused on sleep, with Autumn Sleep Day held every September 3rd. These two events are part of a non-continuous period called Sleep Health Week. In support of this Otsuka Pharmaceutical organizes information sessions and shares information on our website explaining the importance of internal bodily rhythms.

We know that a healthy sleep pattern is essential to feeling refreshed and having a fulfilling day, but despite this many people do not get enough sleep. There are many factors that contribute to sleep problems, such as anxiety and stress. However, recently more attention has been paid to the disruption of internal bodily rhythms.

Although we use a 24-hour cycle to measure time daily, our internal body clock cycle is actually a little longer than 24 hours. We usually reset this difference by getting some morning sunlight or by having breakfast. However, due to our modern lifestyles and an always-on society there is an increased risk for a more significant gap to develop between our internal clock and our daily routine, which can lead to an irregular sleep pattern.

A common example of this would be sleeping in on a day off to make up for a lack of sleep in the week leading up to it. However, doing this can then lead to difficulties in falling asleep the following night or waking up at the right time in the morning. This pattern of having different sleep patterns on weekdays and at the weekends causes what is known as social jet lag, with research showing that our internal body clock can be shifted by 30-45 minutes just by sleeping in on two days. Also, once the rhythm has been disrupted, it is not easy to restore it, and daytime performance may be affected due to feelings of exhaustion. The key to developing a sleep pattern that supports both mental and physical health is to take care of your internal bodily rhythms and manage the quantity and quality of your sleep.

Although the Japanese population enjoys a long, healthy life expectancy, the average time spent sleeping is extremely short compared to other countries. Furthermore, there is reportedly a substantial economic loss associated with not getting enough sleep.

To help people live active daily lives, in 2017, Otsuka developed Kenja-no-kaimin Sleep Rhythm Support (The Wise Man's Sleep Solution), to support the maintenance of bodily rhythms that improve the quality of sleep and help people wake up feeling refreshed and energized. The product was submitted to the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan for labelling as Foods with Function Claims.

Otsuka will continue to share the latest knowledge and accurate information related to sleep, while working to create original products rooted in science to further support healthy lifestyles.