Promoting Appearance Care: A Seminar by FANCL and Kirin in Kanagawa

On October 10, 2025, FANCL Corporation, in collaboration with Kanagawa Prefecture and Kirin Holdings, held a seminar titled "Supporting Individuality Alongside Cancer Treatment: Have You Heard of Appearance Care?" at the Kanagawa Prefectural Kyosai Mirai Hall. This seminar aimed to address the emotional and social challenges faced by cancer patients and their families regarding changes in appearance.

Greeting

The opening remarks were made by Haruko Minato, Director of Health and Medical Services of Kanagawa Prefecture. She emphasized the recent comprehensive partnership agreement signed between the prefecture and FANCL on October 1, 2025, marking this seminar as the first step in their collaborative efforts. Minato expressed that both the prefecture and FANCL would leverage their respective strengths to contribute towards creating a society where everyone’s smile shines.

Seminar Overview

Ryutaro Shimoike from the Cancer and Disease Control Group of Kanagawa Prefecture’s Health and Medical Services Agency provided insights on the prefecture's initiatives regarding cancer patient support. He highlighted the establishment of cancer consultation support centers in 36 hospitals throughout the prefecture, staffed by specialized consultants and peer supporters. These centers provide a space for patients to connect, along with recognition programs for companies that support employees balancing work and treatment. Additionally, support initiatives were discussed for young patients receiving home care, including economic support and expert consultations on work and living.

Shimoike also revealed that Kanagawa has created the "Anti-Cancer MAP Kanagawa Version," the first of its kind among prefectures in Japan, to improve access to vital information for patients and their families.

From FANCL, Yuka Akiyama shared findings from a survey involving patients and medical professionals that indicated many individuals feel anxiety over changes in appearance that accompany treatment, and highlighted concerns over the difficulty of retrieving organized information. In response to these needs, Akiyama showcased "Nagomi time," a comprehensive resource designed to centralize this information. Moving forward, FANCL intends to further strengthen collaborations with government and medical institutions to enhance community understanding of appearance care.

Special Session with Anna Umemiya and Dr. Kataoka

A notable segment of the seminar featured Anna Umemiya, who candidly shared her journey since being diagnosed with breast cancer, including the emotional turmoil of managing her appearance and maintaining her professional responsibilities. Her reflections on the support of appearance care and the feelings of social connection through work were particularly impactful. Umemiya urged attendees to communicate what matters most to them, without feeling pressured to divulge every detail about their illness. Receiving natural and supportive interactions was also highlighted as invaluable.

Dr. Kataoka emphasized the role of appearance care in assisting social reintegration and employment support, reiterating the significance of this type of help in overcoming the challenges faced by patients.

Throughout the seminar, numerous challenges that many individuals facing cancer treatment grapple with became evident, underscoring the need for closer relationships between appearance care and job support. Moving forward, there's an elevated expectation for greater understanding and consideration from businesses and society at large to enable patients to continue living and working positively during treatment.

FANCL remains committed to collaborating with Kanagawa Prefecture and healthcare providers, striving towards a supportive environment that encourages individuals to "live and work authentically." The company will continue to engage in outreach efforts that expand the circle of support, ensuring that appearance care and employment assistance empower every person to thrive in their individual journey.