Japanese Company Continues Clashing with Health Authorities Over Puberylic Acid Claims

Ongoing Dispute Over Puberylic Acid and Health Claims

In an unprecedented move that raises alarms about health communications in Japan, the Kunsei Club Co., Ltd. based in Okayama Prefecture, has initiated a series of administrative reconsideration requests. This follows their claim that a health warning regarding the substance puberylic acid is significantly flawed. This criticism stems from an announcement by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), asserting that no facts were published regarding puberylic acid as a harmful substance despite conflicting reports from at least ten media organizations.

As of March 10, 2026, the Kunsei Club, led by pharmacist and CEO Masanori Mori, has committed itself to thoroughly investigating claims surrounding their product linked to red koji and alleged health issues. On June 21, 2026, the firm lodged its twentieth official challenge against the MHLW, focusing specifically on the contradiction between the Ministry’s refusal to disclose information regarding the determination of puberylic acid as a harmful substance and reports disseminated by trusted news sources.

Background of the Issue

The case began to unfold on September 18, 2026, when notable outlets including NHK, Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Nikkei, and others reported that the MHLW and the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) had identified puberylic acid as responsible for health damages linked to renal dysfunction. Despite the official stance that there were no disclosures regarding puberylic acid, these same trusted news organizations confirmed the substance's association with the health warnings issued.

In light of these discrepancies, the Kunsei Club diligently reached out to these media outlets after May 1, 2026, requesting verification of the claims made in their reports. It is noteworthy that six prominent organizations, including Yomiuri Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun, affirmed the accuracy of their initial reports, further complicating the Ministry's narrative that no such determination was made.

The Company’s Stance

The Kunsei Club argues that the fact that multiple news organizations, equipped with their own correction protocols, have maintained their reporting without retraction even after almost 20 months suggests that the media's findings were indeed based on accurate information presented by their sources — the MHLW or NIHS. Therefore, the Ministry's statement asserting no public acknowledgment of puberylic acid as a cause of health issues contradicts the confirmations from these independent organizations. Consequently, the Kunsei Club is insisting on the cancellation of the non-disclosure decision and is demanding further thorough investigations into the matter.

Moreover, the company articulates a pressing concern: if the Ministry's statements were merely meant to share findings from animal experiments rather than definitively identify a harmful substance, then significant confusion persists within the public and among news entities. Thus, the Kunsei Club is calling for a press conference where the Ministry must clarify the situation to resolve these misunderstandings.

Distinctions from Previous Requests

The current administrative reconsideration request (the twentieth) pivots sharply from the previous 16th through 19th requests that dealt primarily with the absence of decision-making documents and related inconsistencies regarding test specimen records and other bureaucratic records. The current appeal primarily revolves around reconciling the objective evidence provided by media sources against the Ministry’s statements.

Overview of the Administrative Reconsideration Request

- Submission Date: June 21, 2026
- Recipient: Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare (Kenichiro Ueno)
- Subject of Complaint: Disclosures and decisions related to administrative document non-disclosure dated April 22, 2026 (Health Notice 0422 No. 2)
- Claims: Request for cancellation of the decision and reevaluation for disclosure
- Legal Basis: Administrative Review Act (Law No. 68 of 2014)

This statement releases the continued revelations regarding health-related products and the importance of transparency in government communications. As the Kunsei Club pushes for clearer guidelines, there is hope for enhanced accountability and trust between the public, media, and health authorities.

For further details, the full series of press releases can be accessed on KUNSEI.