#Japan #Okayama #Kousei Club #Puberulic Acid #Nihon Research

Kousei Club's Recent Inquiry to NIHS

On August 29, 2023, Kousei Club, a company based in Okayama Prefecture, submitted an inquiry letter to the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) concerning the scientific identification of Puberulic acid in relation to a recent case involving Kobayashi Pharmaceutical. This letter serves to notify interested parties about this submission and its contents.

Overview of the Submitted Letter

The submission is formally titled Inquiry Letter - Regarding the Scientific Identification of Puberulic Acid in Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Case. The letter was addressed to NIHS and signed by the company's representative director, Masaki Mori. The company is requesting a written response within 14 days of receipt of the letter. Along with the inquiry, Kousei Club included several documents from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), highlighting the ongoing questions surrounding this matter.

Inquiries Directed to NIHS

The inquiry explicitly asks two primary questions:
1. Has the NIHS scientifically identified the substance in question as Puberulic acid?
2. If so, please provide specific evidence that substantiates this identification.

Kousei Club's letter clarifies that they are not seeking general academic explanations of analysis methods. Instead, they focus specifically on NIHS's premise that the substance being tested is indeed Puberulic acid. They seek clarity on what scientific evidence supported this identification.

The letter emphasizes:
"If the NIHS has identified the substance as Puberulic acid, what is the scientific evidence that supports this claim?"

Additionally, they are requesting detailed explanations addressing the consistency of their claims with two previous decisions made by the MHLW regarding the matter.

Context of the Inquiry and MHLW's Decisions

Kousei Club has previously engaged with MHLW and relevant authorities, repeatedly seeking clarification regarding the scientific identification of Puberulic acid and the grounds for such identification. This inquiry letter relies on two significant decisions from the MHLW:
1. Non-Disclosure Notification (28th July 2023): MHLW indicated that the documents requested by Kousei Club, which would demonstrate evidence of Puberulic acid in Benikoji, are not available and therefore cannot be disclosed.
2. Disclosure Notification (31st July 2023): MHLW did allow access to analysis reports regarding health hazards connected to Benikoji, but it classified other relevant documents, asserting they did not exist.

These decisions indicate that MHLW has officially affirmed a lack of any documents to validate the identification of the problematic substance as Puberulic acid. Conversely, NIHS has conducted tests regarding this substance, and their results have been utilized by MHLW for determining causes of health concerns.

Hence, the inquiry letter seeks to elicit a clear statement from NIHS regarding the relationship between these findings and the previous MHLW conclusions.

Response Deadline and Future Actions

Kousei Club has stipulated that a written response must be received within 14 days following the delivery of the inquiry letter. They have also indicated that if no response is forthcoming, or if the response is unsatisfactory, they will pursue necessary legal measures based on previously acquired administrative documents and decisions.

About this Release

This press release informs the public about the inquiry letter submitted by Kousei Club. As of the time of this release, they have not yet received any feedback from NIHS.
It is important to clarify that MHLW's responses pertain strictly to the existence of administrative documents and do not comment on the general scientific knowledge related to the substance.
This release does not intend to make statements regarding the causal relationship between Benikoji products and health issues or the legality of the involved parties.

In addition, Kousei Club has established an official LINE account aimed at restoring the reputation of Benikoji culture, where they will continuously share updates regarding their ongoing requests for information and the contents of any disclosed administrative documents.

Company Overview

Company Name: Kousei Club Co., Ltd.
Location: 611-1 Maegata, Hayashima Town, Okayama Prefecture, 701-0303
Representative: Masaki Mori, Director (Pharmacist)
Business Focus: Production and sale of smoked foods (Brand: Kurashiki Sausage)
Contact: 086-483-0602
Email: [email protected]
More Information: Kousei Club's Puberulic Acid Section