Health Management Initiatives
As per its corporate philosophy that aims to "Contribute toward the improvement of people's health and progress in society through the development of innovative products", the Company believes that its human resources form the driving force behind its corporate activities. By prioritizing the health of its employees from a managerial perspective and working towards both health management and work style reforms, the Company aims to enhance its productivity and creativity while ensuring sustainable growth.
Health Management Declaration
Based on the Company’s corporate philosophy of "contributing to people's health and tomorrow's society through advanced drug discovery," ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd. believes that human resources are the driving force behind its corporate activities.
We hereby declare that we will realize health management in order to maintain and promote the mental and physical health of all our employees.
April 1, 2021
Health Promotion Manager
Atsushi Maruo
Senior Managing Member of the Board of Directors, Representative Director
Health Management Declaration of ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd. (Japanese version only)
Health Management Declaration of ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Japanese version only)
Health Management Declaration of ASKA Animal Health Co., Ltd. (Japanese version only)
Health Management Declaration of ASKA Pharma Medical Co., Ltd. (Japanese version only)
Health Promotion Manager Message
Atsushi Maruo
Senior Managing Member of the Board of Directors,
Representative Director
ASKA Pharmaceutical has been implementing health management since 2018 and has been working on various health measures to maintain and promote the health of our employees and their families. In April 2021, ASKA Pharmaceutical Holding Co., Ltd. was newly established, and in line with this, all group companies will promote health management with the same aspirations.
ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings' health management is not limited to employee health management, but also aims to achieve the autonomous growth of employees who are physically and mentally fulfilled, as well as to further improve the productivity and creativity of the organization.
We will promote health management from various viewpoints so that employees, the organization, and society can mutually share the valuable happiness of good health.
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Health Management Promotion Structure of ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings
Health Management Targets
With the aim of further increasing productivity and creativity, the Company aims to improve presenteeism (a condition in which work productivity declines owing to some kind of physical or mental illness, even though the employee is present at work) and increase employee engagement through a variety of health management initiatives.
The Company has positioned the stages of health management as "STEP," and while maintaining the STEP 1 initiative through FY2020 will implement the new STEP 2 initiative from FY2021.
In the new STEP 2 initiative, measures to maintain and promote health, the Company will implement measures focusing on six lifestyle items (exercise, sleep, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and mental care), as the number of employees with findings in health checkups has been increasing. In addition, since the rate of employees receiving a medical examination requiring close examination has been declining, we aim to improve the rate by strengthening recommendations for medical examinations by occupational health staff.
In terms of work style reform, looking ahead to the post-pandemic world, the Company will work on internal arrangements for diverse and flexible work styles and measures to improve the engagement of each and every employee.
Maintenance and promotion of good health, prevention and early detection of disease, and thorough periodic health checkups
The Company's medical checkups are conducted with additional examination items in addition to the legally required medical checkup items to help prevent diseases and detect medically unexplained symptoms at an early stage. For those employees who, for whatever reason, have not undergone medical checkups or are overdue for reexamination, our industrial physicians and industrial health nurses contact them directly to urge them to see a doctor.
A series of cycles have been established in which the results of health checkups for all employees are verified by industrial physicians and health guidance is provided as necessary, and the health checkup implementation rate has been maintained at 100% since FY2020.
Based on the results of the health checkups, employees who are eligible for specific health guidance are encouraged to participate in specific health guidance in cooperation with the health insurance association in order to review basic lifestyle habits such as exercise habits, dietary habits, and smoking. We aim to create a corporate culture in which employees themselves become more aware of the causes of risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases and are willing to make improvements to their own health issues.
Improvement of lifestyle
ASKA Pharmaceutical, the core of the Group, has reached the STEP2 stage of its health management goals and is implementing initiatives to improve lifestyle habits, setting numerical targets to be achieved by 2025 and implementing various measures related to exercise, sleep, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and mental health care. We are fostering a culture in which employees themselves recognize health management measures as their own business and act independently.
Early detection of mental health problems - thorough stress checks
Thorough stress checkups
As a measure to prevent employees from overlooking mental health problems, we recommend that they take a stress check once a year and have maintained a 100% implementation rate since FY2021.
The Company provides all employees with e-learning education and training on how to prevent, reduce, and cope with stress. In cases where employees do suffer from mental health problems, the Company has prepared a program to help them return to work, and industrial physicians and medical specialists work closely with each workplace to support a smooth return to work through rehabilitation. The Company has also introduced an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) service to provide support for all employees and their families, including free 24-hour counseling by professional staff.
Enhancement of work-life balance
(harmony between work and life)
The Company aims to enhance work-life balance (harmony between work and life) through both the maintenance and promotion of good health and work style reform. We believe it is essential to respect diverse values. We are committed to developing an inclusive work environment where all human resources, regardless of age, gender, or attributes, can thrive.
Support for a better work-life balance
Enhancement of work engagement
The Group has conducted an engagement survey of all employees since FY2021. The response rate has remained high at 100% and continues as a measure to hear the real voices of our employees. Among the various engagement-related indicators, we have established indicators for work engagement, which consists of "vitality, enthusiasm, and commitment" to work, and for mental toughness, which focuses on the "ability to solve problems" when faced with difficulties. We focus on the fact that both of these abilities can be developed through organizational efforts, and aim for the autonomous growth of employees and the further enhancement of creativity in the organization as a whole.
Health Management Strategy Map
ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings promotes health management by implementing a variety of measures.
Health Management Strategy Map
Basic Measures
Examples of Major Measures
Corporate Identity Project
ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and as a way to link its traditions to the future, the company is implementing a corporate identity project. In FY2021, the company took inspiration from THYRADIN, a thyroid treatment that marked the 100th anniversary of its launch, and provided all employees with thyroid function tests. The purpose of this initiative is to detect medically unexplained symptoms early on. The thyroid function test consists of TSH, FT3, and FT4 tests and is included as part of regular health checkups to help detect symptoms such as fatigue. The Company paid for the test and 97.9% of employees responded positively to the initiative. The test is conducted periodically every few years.
Results of the 2021 Corporate Identity Project (Thyroid Function Test) Employee Survey
The Health Lab Mint+ for Women's Health conducted an in-house survey which revealed that many female employees experience medically unexplained symptoms and a lack of knowledge about the female body. The survey also highlighted that the percentage of women who reported feeling sluggish and tired easily was 1.7 times higher than that of men. Male employees also recognized that women in the workplace are working while experiencing painful symptoms.
In FY2022, we continued to measure ferritin levels in regular health checkups to detect medically unexplained symptoms. We also implemented measures to improve health literacy, such as holding in-house workshops on women's health and lectures on anemia by obstetricians and gynecologists. Additionally, we provided iron supplement menus in the employee cafeteria. The in-house workshop on women's health was well-received, with 84% of employees finding it useful and 89% satisfied with the content. The management showed direct commitment to the workshop.
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The overview of the lecture on anemia by Ob/Gyn Doctor *Japanese version only
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The lecture slide on anemia by Ob/Gyn Doctor. *Japanese version only
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The iron supplement menus in the employee cafeteria
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The iron supplement menus in the employee cafeteria
Cafeteria Collaboration Project with Health Lab Mint+ for Women’s health
ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has established the Health Lab Mint+ for Women’s health to provide society with tips on how women can live a healthy and fulfilling life.
The lab provides the general public with accurate information on women's bodies and health by staying attuned to women's unique and painful symptoms for a wide range of life stages.
In FY2021, Mint+ developed a variety of activities, including online events on infertility and the distribution of supplementary material for high school health and physical education on sexuality education. In-house, healthy recipes published by the Health Lab Mint+ for Women’s health were incorporated into the menu of the company cafeteria and offered to employees.
We will continue to actively disseminate information internally and externally to contribute to women's health.
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Healthy menu of the company cafeteria collaborated with Mint+ and ABC Cooking
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Healthy menu of the company cafeteria collaborated with Mint+ and ABC Cooking
Health Lab Mint+ for Women’s health (Japanese version only)
Health Promotion Lectures
Each year, we hold health promotion lectures on a variety of health-related themes from various fields.
This year, online yoga events were held to help employees stretch to eliminate eye strain, stiff shoulders, back pain, etc., which were perceived as causes of low productivity in employee surveys. The sixth day of each month was made known to employees as a 30-minute yoga stretching day, and archived videos were made available on the intranet after the event to help employees establish their own exercise habits.
Those are the data of the participants. The right-sided picture is the slide from the health promotion lecture
Other Measures
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Exercise measures
health promotion lectures - online event
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Toward Establishment of Exercise Habits - Sponsored by Health Insurance Association
Participation in Web Walking Event
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Let's get healthy WEEK
Health checkup results-linked project
Healthy menu
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Beverage measures
Vending machines - Healthy beverage recommendations
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Preventive Measures against Infectious Diseases
Installation of thermal cameras for temperature inspection upon entry
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Preventive Measures against Infectious Diseases
Flu vaccination
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Smoke-Free Recommendation Day
No-smoking day (The day of Swan Swan)）
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Intranet
Health website / Infectious disease prevention website
Related Data Collection on Health Management
Download Related Data Collection on Health Management *Japanese version only
Health Management Dissemination Activities
In order to promote health management, the Company actively exchanges information with various companies to help its own health management planning and promotion.
Moreover, based on the status of health management initiatives, compliance with laws and regulations related to occupational health and safety, and certifications received, the Company is committed to health management not only among its employees but also among its supply chain companies to promote the health of people involved in its corporate activities.
In October 2018, the Company joined the KENKO KIGYOKAI corporate community as part of its health management initiatives.
The KENKO KIGYOKAI corporate community was established in 2016 by 14 companies under the leadership of top management that earnestly consider the health promotion of their employees. Sixty-two companies are currently active in the community.
The main focus of the community's activities is for member companies to gather on a volunteer basis to exchange opinions and learn from each other on common health promotion themes (health checkups, exercise habits, diet improvement, and non-smoking, etc.). The results are widely disclosed to non-member companies, with the aim of contributing to the dissemination of health management.
External Evaluation
For the fifth year in a row, we have been recognized as one of the "White 500 Corporations for Excellent Health Management" jointly conducted by the METI and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
| Year |
External evaluation |
2024
|
Recognized as a White 500 enterprise under the 2024 Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations
Recognition Program
(ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd.)
ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Recognized as a White 500 enterprise for the Sixth Consecutive Year *Japanese version only |
|
2023
|
Recognized as a White 500 enterprise under the 2023 Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations
Recognition Program
(ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd.)
ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Recognized as a White 500 enterprise for the Fifth Consecutive Year |
 |
2022
|
Received
Healthy Company Declaration Gold Certificate
(ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
The Healthy Company Declaration is an initiative to
have 10,000 companies or more (30,000 at present) pledge that they are
declaring their engagement in promoting health. The initiative is carried out
with the support of insurers such as the Japan Health Insurance Association,
under the Healthy Cities and Workplace Health Promotion Declaration 2020 of the
Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
|
 |
Recognized as a White 500 enterprise under the 2022 Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program
(ASKA Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd.)
ASKA Pharmaceutical Recognized as a White 500 enterprise for the Forth Consecutive Year *Japanese version only |
 |
2021
|
Received Healthy Company Declaration Gold Certificate
(ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
The Healthy Company Declaration is an initiative to have 10,000 companies or more (30,000 at present) pledge that they are declaring their engagement in promoting health. The initiative is carried out with the support of insurers such as the Japan Health Insurance Association, under the Healthy Cities and Workplace Health Promotion Declaration 2020 of the Nippon Kenko Kaigi.
ASKA Pharmaceutical Received Healthy Company Declaration Gold Certificate *Japanese version only |
 |
Recognized as a White 500 enterprise under the 2021 Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program
(ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
ASKA Pharmaceutical Recognized as a White 500 enterprise for the Third Consecutive Year *Japanese version only |
 |
2020
|
Recognized as a White 500 enterprise under the 2020 Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program
(ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
|
 |
2019
|
Received Healthy Company Declaration Silver Certificate
(ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
|
 |
Recognized as a White 500 enterprise under the 2019 Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program
(ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) |
 |