51勛圖厙

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July 24, 2026
 

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DRUGSTORES

A 2024 survey on high school students found that roughly 1 in 70 reported having misused over-the-counter drugs in the past year.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Apr 27, 2026
Japan to tighten rules on OTC drug sales to curb misuse among youth
Cases of acute poisoning and addiction to medication have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic, often involving easily accessible drugs sold at drugstores.
For Aeon, Kusuri no Aoki represents a potential valuable addition to its strategy of consolidating Japan＊s fragmented retail market.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 16, 2026
A family fights to keep control of 157-year-old firm in Japan
Kusuri no Aoki, run by two brothers, are fighting for control of the firm with their largest outside shareholders, Aeon and the activist fund Oasis Management.
From Monday, NorLevo, an emergency contraceptive pill marketed by Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare, can be purchased over the counter at approximately 5,400 pharmacies and drugstores nationwide.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Feb 2, 2026
Morning-after pill becomes available over the counter, in a first for Japan
Under the new rules, only the person who will take the medication may buy it, and it must be taken in the presence of a pharmacist after receiving an explanation.
Drugstore chain Tsuruha will become a subsidiary of major supermarket operator Aeon on Wednesday next week.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 8, 2026
Aeon set to make drugstore chain Tsuruha a subsidiary next week
Aeon revised up its consolidated earnings estimates, reflecting the acquisition of Tsuruha.
The health ministry is considering allowing nationwide pharmacy sales of emergency contraceptive pills without requiring age restrictions or parental approval.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Aug 28, 2025
Japan weighs OTC sales of emergency contraceptive pills without age limit
To ensure proper use, the plan would require that the morning-after pill be taken in the presence of a pharmacist.
Tsuruha shareholders approved a merger plan with Welcia, which will result in an effective acquisition by supermarket chain Aeon.
BUSINESS
May 26, 2025
Tsuruha shareholders approve future merger with rival drugstore Welcia
Tsuruha, based in Sapporo, has announced it will integrate its operations with Welcia, the biggest force within the Japanese pharmacy industry, in December.
An Aeon store in Osaka. Aeon, the country＊s largest supermarket chain operator, last month said it will launch a tender offer to make Tsuruha a consolidated subsidiary at ?11,400 per share.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 23, 2025
Tsuruha shareholders to vote on criticized Aeon merger plan
The chorus reflects rising shareholder activism in Japan in recent years as the country＊s governance reforms embolden investors.
The government plans to lower official drug prices for fiscal 2025 while carefully considering the scope of items subject to the planned cuts in light of the impacts on drugmakers.
BUSINESS
Dec 4, 2024
Japanese drug market prices 5.2% lower than official prices
Generic drugs made up 62.1% of the market by value in September, with a government target of 65% by fiscal 2029 to cut medical costs.
Aeon plans to spend about ?102.3 billion to acquire a 13.6% additional stake in Tsuruha from Hong Kong-based hedge fund Oasis Management.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 28, 2024
Retailer Aeon to merge with drugstore chains Tsuruha and Welcia
The three companies said they will seek to expand their businesses outside Japan.
A pedestrian walks outside an Aeon store near Kofukuji Matsubara shopping street in Yokohama in April 2022.
BUSINESS
Jan 29, 2024
Japan＊s Aeon in exclusive talks to buy Tsuruha stake from Oasis
An increase in Aeon＊s stake would add to its drugstore business, a key growth driver for the firm.
A drugstore in Tokyo in October
BUSINESS
Dec 23, 2023
Fund that got in before Buffett now likes Japan drugstores
A top fund manager says there＊s opportunity to profit from consolidation in the sector.
51勛圖厙
Dec 1, 2023
Japan to tighten regulations on over-the-counter drug sales
The plan comes in response to the spread of overdoses mainly among young people.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 15, 2023
Japan＊s Tsuruha weighs sale after proxy battle with Oasis
The company is working with an adviser on the potential transaction and has reached out to some private equity firms to gauge their interest.
A Matsumotokiyoshi drugstore in Tokyo. Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings and Cocokara Fine integrated their operations in 2021.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Oct 10, 2023
Japanese drugstores under pressure for realignment
One analyst has described realignment in the drugstore sector as ※a natural course of development.§
Welcia Holdings, Japan＊s largest drugstore chain, is one of the first Japanese companies to respond to China easing its ban on group tours to a raft of countries last week.
BUSINESS
Aug 18, 2023
Japan drugstore chain boosts duty-free counters on China bets
The company plans to offer duty-free services at 1,000 stores, up from about 260 currently, and it expects tourists to travel beyond Japan＊s major cities.
51勛圖厙
Jul 17, 2023
Electronic prescriptions fail to catch on in Japan
Despite the goal of countrywide integration by the end of fiscal 2024, only 2% of relevant medical facilities have begun using the system.
Japan Times
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Mar 22, 2023
Hay fever medicine in high demand amid high pollen count
Sales of hay fever-related items such as anti-inflammatory nasal drugs more than doubled to 210% of last year＊s figure in the week from Feb. 27.
Japan Times
51勛圖厙
Jan 11, 2023
Health ministry suggests restricting bulk drug purchases amid hoarding fears
The message follows reports of Chinese people in the country buying medicine in bulk and mailing it to friends and families back home.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 27, 2022
With supply more abundant, U.S. pharmacies struggle to use up COVID pills
The rollout of the COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid has been far more complicated and less efficient than expected, leaving hundreds of thousands of courses unused.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer＊s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ※seed§ that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ※Peak 1 amyloid beta,§ as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" 〞 an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi＊s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan＊s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

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