#Japan #Employee Wellness #Health Supplements #Fuji #Sunsho Pharmaceutical

Sunsho Pharmaceutical's Employee Wellness Project Results

Sunsho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., based in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, has recently published the outcomes of its employee welfare initiative called the Sunsho Wellness Project. Conducted from August 2025 to January 2026, this project aimed to promote health among employees by distributing self-manufactured supplements free of charge.

Project Overview

The Sunsho Wellness Project targeted about 1,070 employees, including temporary staff. Participants received various supplements over six months, including:
1. Multivitamins
2. Multiminerals
3. Krill oil
4. Supplements for lifestyle disease management (for select individuals)

Key activities included:

• - Scratch calendars
• - Prize contests
• - Quizzes
• - Monthly wellness newsletters
• - Qualitative evaluations via surveys
• - Comparison with previous year's health check data

Following the project's completion, a feedback survey was conducted, receiving valid responses from 492 employees. The responses indicated positive results concerning the initial four goals, including:
1. Maintaining and enhancing employee health,
2. Increasing interest in supplements,
3. Improving health awareness and behavior changes,
4. Practicing health management and raising societal awareness.

Assessment of Outcomes

The project received an overall positive rating from employees, with high affirmative rates on engagement metrics. Notably, 73% of respondents felt that the company values employee health, clearly demonstrating the project's significance as a corporate welfare measure.

• - Overall Satisfaction Rate: 47% (satisfied or somewhat satisfied)
• - Desire for Continuation: 55% (want to continue or somewhat want to)
• - Support from Friends/Family: 60% (would recommend this initiative to friends)

Supplement Consumption Frequency

Among the participants, 32% reported they consumed supplements almost daily, and 17% did so three to four times a week, with a combined total of 49% maintaining high-frequency intake. However, 26% indicated they hardly consumed any supplements, showing a need for initiatives to enhance ongoing usage.

Reasons for Continued Consumption

The most common reason for effective intake remained establishing a routine:

• - 61% reported that setting a regular intake time helped them incorporate supplements into their daily habits.

Reasons for Difficulty in Continuing

Top reasons for not continuing included:

• - 41% forgot to take them
• - 27% found it challenging to habitually consume due to busy schedules
• - 17% were concerned about mixing with other medications or health conditions.

Changes in Health Awareness and Behavior

The project not only aimed to promote supplement intake but also fostered changes in employee health consciousness. 29% noted an increase in health-maintaining behaviors, while 31% started paying more attention to health check results. Interestingly, 55% reported heightened interest in both market supplements and internal products, enhancing their understanding of the company's field and product values.

Evaluation of Supplement Line-up

Feedback on the distributed supplements showed that 58% considered the variety appropriate, with multivitamins receiving the highest rating of 51% for being a good fit and easy to continue. However, 57% expressed the desire for a selection option tailored to individual health needs, indicating a strong demand for a more personalized approach moving forward.

Employee Feedback

Feedback from employees included positive anecdotes, such as increased alertness upon waking and improved discussions about health with family and friends, further solidifying the company's commitment to wellness.

Future Directions

Building on the qualitative and quantitative data gathered from this initial phase, the Sunsho Wellness Project aims to launch its second phase focusing on making wellness a consistent habit among employees. The new strategy includes a choice-based system where employees can select from a wider range of supplements tailored to their specific health concerns, enhancing personal accountability. The next phase is set to commence in June 2026.

According to CEO Akira Imamura, the project has created a strong foundation, where 73% of employees feel that the company genuinely cares about their health, signaling not just the success of a welfare initiative but also a commitment to fostering a health-oriented corporate culture. Imamura expresses hope that these efforts will contribute to community health long-term, emphasizing the need for corporate responsibility in promoting wellness.

As the project progresses, Sunsho Pharmaceutical will continue to reinforce its commitment to employee well-being through innovative health strategies and practices that aim for societal betterment.