#Japan #Lotte #Kiyokawa #Atsugi Dental

Collaboration for Oral Health in Kiyokawa Village

On April 9, 2026, Lotte Co., Ltd., represented by its president, Hidetaka Nakashima, entered into a collaborative agreement with Kiyokawa Village, led by Mayor Yoshimi Iwasawa, and the Atsugi Dental Association, headed by President Masaharu Hori. This marks Lotte's 24th partnership aimed at oral health. The main objective of this agreement is to foster the dental and oral health of Kiyokawa residents, ensuring they can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

The signing ceremony took place at the Kiyokawa Village Office, where key representatives from all parties were present, including Yoshimi Iwasawa (Kiyokawa Village Mayor), Masaharu Hori (Atsugi Dental Association President), and Toshiyuki Okamoto (Manager of Lotte's Kanagawa branch).

Agreement Highlights

• - Collaborative support for various programs aimed at enhancing the dental and oral health of Kiyokawa residents.
• - Promotion of the significance of chewing and dissemination of proper knowledge about oral health.
• - Education on acquiring, maintaining, and enhancing oral functionality.
• - Provision of support and resources for disaster victims, ensuring the local community receives assistance during crises.
• - Additional measures necessary to fulfill the agreement’s objectives.

Lotte has been actively engaged in promoting oral health since its establishment in 1948, leveraging its expertise in chewing and xylitol products to contribute to the dental well-being of Kiyokawa's residents.

Ceremony Day Details

• - Date of Agreement Signing: April 9, 2026
• - Location: Kiyokawa Village Office
• - Attendees:

- Yoshimi Iwasawa, Mayor of Kiyokawa
- Masaharu Hori, President of Atsugi Dental Association
- Toshiyuki Okamoto, Manager, Lotte Kanagawa branch

Comment from Lotte's Kanagawa Branch Manager

Toshiyuki Okamoto expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Kiyokawa Village, with the shared goal of promoting healthy living and fostering community support. The partnership includes initiatives that address oral frailty and programs targeting dental health awareness for adults and young children. Lotte aims to utilize its unique strengths and technologies to contribute significantly to health promotion across all age groups.

Furthermore, aligned with Lotte's sustainability goal, the 'Lotte Mirai Challenge 2048', this partnership highlights a commitment to increasing awareness about health through chewing. This ongoing focus also encompasses educational activities related to maintaining oral health in early childhood using xylitol.

In the event of disasters, Lotte has committed to assisting Kiyokawa Village with supplies that promote oral health, such as xylitol chewing gum and tablets, to mitigate any health damage caused by secondary disasters.

Understanding Oral Frailty

Oral frailty refers to the minor decline in oral functionality, which, if ignored, can disrupt nutritional balance leading to overall physical decline. It serves as a crucial early warning sign of aging. Research conducted on elderly populations has shown that individuals with oral frailty are at nearly double the risk of experiencing physical frailty, sarcopenia, and even higher mortality risk over a four-year period.

For more information, visit Lotte's official website: Lotte Japan.