51勛圖厙

Tag - koji

 
Menu
Search
 
July 24, 2026
 

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

KOJI

In an effort to move past its troubled legacy, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has replaced its president twice and appointed an external chairman.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Jul 8, 2025
Despite leadership changes, Kobayashi Pharma still struggling with reform
The Osaka-based company has replaced its president twice and appointed an external chairman, seeking to reduce the influence of the founding family seen as a cause of the scandal.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical President Norikazu Toyoda in Osaka on May 30
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 4, 2025
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical vows never to repeat health crisis
In March 2024, the drugmaker, based in Osaka, announced that it had received a series of reports about such symptoms as kidney disease from users of its supplements.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical President and CEO Satoshi Yamane apologizes for the company's health hazard scandal involving its supplement products during a news conference in Osaka on Monday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 11, 2025
Kobayashi Pharma logs first net profit drop since 1999 listing
The company＊s net profit plunged 50.5% in the aftermath of a health scandal involving its supplements, which emerged last year.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical executives bow their heads at a news conference in Osaka in March following a health hazard scandal involving the firm's supplements containing red fermented rice.
51勛圖厙 / Crime & Legal
Jan 29, 2025
Hong Kong fund to sue former Kobayashi Pharma execs
The fund will seek a total of roughly ?11 billion in damages from former Chairman Kazumasa Kobayashi and six then-board directors.
While many patients showed improvement in Fanconi syndrome, 87% still had kidney function indicators below standard levels despite two months having passed since Kobayashi Pharmaceutical urged consumers to stop taking the supplement.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Jan 8, 2025
Tainted beni k身ji supplement linked to persistent kidney damage, study finds
The Osaka University study analyzed data from patients who reported health issues between late March and late April 2024.
Staff work at a sake brewery in Fukushima Prefecture in October. Sake, a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from grains and water, holds deep cultural significance in Japan.
51勛圖厙 / Society
Nov 5, 2024
UNESCO panel recommends sake brewing for intangible cultural heritage list
A UNESCO intergovernmental committee meeting in December is expected to make a final decision on its inclusion in the Representative List.
A Kobayashi Pharmaceutical factory in Osaka
BUSINESS
Sep 28, 2024
Kobayashi Pharma sued in Taiwan over beni k身ji products
A group filed the lawsuit with the Taipei District Court against six firms including a Taiwanese unit of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical and an importer in Taiwan.
Health ministry officials inspect the Wakayama factory of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical in March after reports of health damage surfaced among people who took the firm's red yeast rice supplements.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Sep 18, 2024
Puberulic acid confirmed as source of beni k身ji health issues
The substance produced by blue mold was the cause of kidney problems suffered by consumers of the Kobayashi Pharma supplements, the health ministry said.
Officials of the Osaka Municipal Government enter Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's factory, which was closed in December, in the city of Osaka on Tuesday.
51勛圖厙 / Society
Sep 1, 2024
Japan makes supplement health damage reports mandatory
The measure is aimed at enabling administrative authorities to quickly grasp related information and prevent the spread of health damage.
Roasting cauliflower can seem daunting when its already hot outside, but the flavors here more than make up for slaving over a hot stove for a bit.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Aug 25, 2024
With a bit of Japan＊s ＆national mold,＊ cauliflower becomes a superstar
Picallili is a style of lightly spiced cauliflower mustard pickle, the result of South Asian flavors integrated into colonial British cuisine.
Former Kobayashi Pharmaceutical President Akihiro Kobayashi (right) and Satoshi Yamane, the new president, bow in apology over health problems caused by its beni k身ji products, during a news conference in the city of Osaka on Thursday.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Aug 8, 2024
Kobayashi Pharma to withdraw from beni k身ji product segment
The firm said it would offer compensation to those who suffered health problems linked to their products and prevent a recurrence of the incident.
As of Sunday, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical reported 279 deaths and 2,274 hospital visits due to health issues related to its beni k身ji supplements, among which 461 required hospitalization.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Jul 23, 2024
Kobayashi Pharma＊s president and chairperson resign over health scandal
For the first time in its history, someone outside of the Osaka-based drugmaker＊s founding family will become its president.
Health ministry officials enter Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's plant in the city of Osaka on March 30.
51勛圖厙 / Society
Jun 28, 2024
Dozens more deaths may be linked to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical＊s supplements
The ministry has instructed Kobayashi Pharmaceutical to create a plan to carry out a probe into the causal relationships between the deaths and their products.
A lawyer representing a consumer organization speaks during a meeting held to call for stricter regulations on "functional foods," in Tokyo on Thursday.
51勛圖厙
May 24, 2024
Mandatory reporting of ＆functional food＊ health problems proposed
The Consumer Affairs Agency panel discussed reforms in response to health problems caused by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical supplement products.
A pack of dietary supplements designated by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical as a functional food.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Apr 30, 2024
Japan panel reviewing ＆functional foods＊ label system
The system has been criticized for leaving it entirely up to functional food makers to guarantee the safety of their products.
Health ministry officials enter Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's factory in the city of Osaka on March 30.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Apr 26, 2024
Kobayashi Pharma to cover bills of people who got ill after taking supplements
The Osaka company＊s board has also set up a third-party panel to probe the company＊s handling of the issue.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's Tokyo office. The company has received 88,000 inquiries about health damage from its supplements.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Apr 20, 2024
More unexpected compounds found in Kobayashi Pharma＊s beni k身ji supplements
At least two compounds not normally found in the supplements were detected in an analysis of ingredient samples.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's headquarters in Osaka
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Apr 11, 2024
Kobayashi Pharma troubles reverberate in Taiwan as firm assists with recall
Taiwan is the only place outside of Japan to have seen reports of people falling ill after consuming the company＊s beni k身ji.
Health ministry officials head to a Kobayashi Pharmaceutical factory in the city of Osaka on March 30 to conduct a search of the premises.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Apr 9, 2024
Kidney doctors report 95 health complaints linked to beni k身ji pills
So far, five people have died, 212 people have been hospitalized and 1,224 others have sought medical treatment after taking the supplements.
A building in Osaka's Chuo Ward housing the Kobayashi Pharmaceutical headquarters
51勛圖厙 / Crime & Legal
Apr 7, 2024
Government holds hearings at Kobayashi Pharmaceutical on supplements
Of those who took the supplements, five people have died and 196 people have been hospitalized so far.
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.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo＊s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo＊s ＆stadium of desire＊

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan＊s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan＊s utility poles won＊t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE 51勛圖厙

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER