The Group values its connections with people in the communities where it does business. As a member of various local communities, we are deepening exchanges with local communities through the sponsorship of regional events and other initiatives, and we are taking steps to contribute to the development of regional society by conducting historical and cultural activities and regional activation initiatives.

In May 2015, the Company opened the Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Historical Museum on the second floor of its headquarters in Doshomachi, Osaka, which is known as the “pharmaceutical district.” Visitors can learn about the history of the Company, which was founded in 1678, and the history and culture of Doshomachi. In addition, using 3D images and touch panels, visitors can learn about such topics as the structure of the human body and how pharmaceuticals work. In the eight years since its opening, about 35,000 people have visited the museum.

The museum’s website features “Virtual Tour” videos that introduce certain exhibits using audio guides. (https://www.mtpc-shiryokan.jp/en/vtour/)

This historical museum is not only cooperating by providing exhibition materials, it is also cooperating with local events and contributing to the development of the next generation, such as with off-campus school learning activities.

Certified by “This is MECENAT 2023,” the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts

In July 2022, the operation of this museum was certified under the “This is MECENAT 2023” certification system for MECENAT activities (promoting social creativity through arts and culture) implemented by corporations and corporate foundations under the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts. This is the fourth consecutive year of certification since 2020.

*“This is MECENAT” is a system for promoting social creativity through arts and culture by certifying various MECENAT activities and shining light on each of them.

The Company is contributing to regional activation through the Historical Museum and the sponsorship of events in cooperation with regional organizations.

Sponsored “Doshomachi Tanamin Storytelling Theater”

Since fiscal 2017, we have sponsored the semi-annual Doshomachi Tanamin Storytelling Theater, which uses the name of the Company’s original character Tanamin. Through rakugo, which is a traditional form of entertainment that is highly popular in Osaka, and lectures about the lifestyles of the time, we are providing opportunities for people to become familiar with the history and culture of Osaka, and these initiatives have been well received.

Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, from 2020 onwards we switched to offering these events through on-demand delivery. In fiscal 2022, after thorough infection control measures were put in place, the event was held in a venue in the company head office for the first time in two and a half years. The fall session was held in conjunction with the Jinno Festival, resulting in a lively “laugh and learn” storytelling event celebrating the god of health and medicine.

(Doshomachi Tanamin Storytelling Theater https://www.tanamin-yose.net/) (Japanese language only)

Doshomachi Museum Street

As an everyday initiative, in cooperation with other Doshomachi exhibition facilities related to pharmaceuticals, we are rolling out a publicity activity under the name Doshomachi Museum Street (Japanese language only). The community will work to provide information to encourage large numbers of people to visit Doshomachi, which is the birthplace of Japan’s pharmaceutical industry.

The Company will continue to contribute more and more to local communities.

The Yoshitomi Office (Fukuoka Prefecture) held the “Yoshitomi Summer Festival“ on the plant premises in August 2022, marking the 48th time that we have held this annual community event. In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic saw us limit the festival to fireworks displays only, so the 2022 festival was the first time we had held the full event in a long time. On the day of the festival we welcomed 1,200 people, including local residents, guests, employees, and their families (the maximum number of people permitted to enter) to the venue. The full program included Kagura dancing, belly dancing, fireworks, and a lucky draw, and was the perfect way to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the completion of the Yoshitomi Plant. Going forward, we will continue to value the bonds that we create with the local community through the summer festival, and treasure the relationships that we build with them.

In June 2022, as a part of our corporate citizenship activities, we donated OTC medicines and other items to Kodomo-no-kuni (Children’s Land) in Yokohama City. Kodomo-no-kuni is a natural amusement park that utilizes a thickly wooded area of approximately 100 hectares in the Tama Hills area of Yokohama City. It was opened in 1965 in commemoration of the marriage of His Imperial Highness (now Emperor Emeritus) in 1959. Since 1971, for 50 consecutive years, the Company has contributed OTC medicines and made other contributions to Kodomo-no-kuni.

On the day of the presentation, Director Tamura of Kodomo-no-Kuni offered their thanks for our ongoing donations of such large amounts of medication. The recent drop in the number of COVID-19 infections has brought an increase in the number of visitors to the park. They commented that since many children injure themselves while playing vigorously outside, the donations are very helpful.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Kodomo-no-Kuni, the Company donated the home of bird characters Juru and Chichi, which has become a favorite spot for visitors to take commemorative photographs.

In November 2022, five employees of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Korea participated in “Kimchi-making volunteers” sponsored by the Korea Japanese Pharmaceutical Association (KJPA). In this volunteer activity, Japanese expats and their families experience Korea’s traditional kimchi-making culture and provide the kimchi they make (4,000 kg) to 600 households with elderly and socially vulnerable people in the area. Kimchi-making was a good opportunity for Japanese expats and their families to understand Korea’s traditional culture and deepen exchanges with local people.