The Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma 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 nine years since its opening, about 40,000 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/)
Additionally, from March through to September 2024 we are holding a special exhibition that focuses on the efforts of the Company’s former president and chairman to promote Japanese soccer in the past, and offers those who are unfamiliar with the pharmaceutical industry or Doshomachi a chance to visit the museum.

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 2024,” the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts

In July 2024, the operation of this museum was certified under the “This is MECENAT 2024” 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 fifth 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”

Tanamin Storytelling Theater, which uses the name of the Company’s character Tanamin. Through rakugo, which is a traditional form of entertainment that is highly popular in Osaka, and lectures about the culture 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. From fiscal 2023, they have been held normally in the headquarters building, and are attended by many people. 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 2023, marking the 49th time that we have held this annual community event. On the day of the festival, we welcomed around 2,200 people, including local residents, guests, employees, and their families to the venue. Onstage the program included wadaiko and dance performances, as well as performances by live bands, bringing the venue to life. As with other years, the fireworks display brought exclamations and applause. 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.

The Yoshitomi summer festival

In June 2023, 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 more than 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 comments and thanks, saying, “As the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to abate, we are beginning to see a return to families on weekends and to field trip groups on weekdays. We also plan to make full use of the pool in summer and skating rink in winter, so our staff are all extremely thankful for the medical supplies received. We will use them gratefully over the year.”
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.