Sustainability

In recent years, local governments have entered into observation agreements with private companies in order to increase the number of people observing the elderly with dementia, people with disabilities and children, and offices in the Group have also entered into observation agreements in various locations.

At each pharmacy in the dispensing pharmacy business, we implement various initiatives to raise the health awareness of local residents and patients and to concretely promote the extension of healthy life expectancy. We regularly hold health fairs at our pharmacies and actively participate in local health events and festivals. In addition, we hold a cafe for those with dementia, develop cafes that provide healthy foods and sweets supervised by nationally registered dietitians, and sell aroma products at pharmacies so that patients can visit there casually.

Since 1996, the Company has introduced a donation-type beverage vending machine operated by “Japan Kindness,” a certified NPO. When you buy a beverage from a donation-type vending machine, a total of two yen, one yen from the purchase price and one yen from the beverage manufacturer, is donated to social welfare organizations, etc. In May 1996, the first machine for a pharmaceutical wholesaler was installed within the Company. Since then, the machines have been steadily introduced. The system is called Yubi (finger) Donation because people push the purchase button on the vending machine with their finger. The Company continues to provide relief to the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March 11, 2011, through the Yubi Donation system.

The Company supports the program for promoting performing arts planned by the SETAGAYA PUBLIC THEATER. The SETAGAYA PUBLIC THEATER develops various projects with the aim of familiarizing many people with performing arts. In the program Creating Future Performers for supporting young people who will lead the next generation, junior high and senior high school drama club members interested in performing are invited to see performances sponsored by the SETAGAYA PUBLIC THEATER for a special fee of 1,000 yen. The Company selects about ten performances per year and accepts applications. We hope this theater going will give a taste of the performing arts to junior and senior high school students and they will learn a lot from the performances.

Every October, the Setagaya Art Town Festival titled Sancha de Daidogei is held. Flags and banners are hung in the streets to enliven the festival. A recycling project was launched within the Art Town Executive Committee to support victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The committee produced goods by reusing the flags and banners that had been hung until that time and sold them to visitors to the festival. Proceeds from goods sales are donated to organizations that support disaster-stricken children and orphans affected by the earthquake through the Great East Japan Earthquake Recovery Support Center in Setagaya Ward. The production of recycled goods was outsourced to a welfare workshop in Setagaya Ward, which also provided employment support for people who work there. The Company has proposed and sponsored this project.