#Japan #Osaka #Health Ministry #Red Koji #Blue Mold

The Unfolding Controversy of Red Koji and Blue Mold

In the heart of Osaka, a complicated situation has emerged regarding a blue mold connected to Red Koji, a cultural staple in Japan. On July 15, the Osaka City Health Bureau stated that they are unaware of the detailed processes involved in the notification of test results for this mold, despite acknowledging that scientifically valid methods were used for identification. This brings into question the reliability and transparency of certain public health communications.

The Trigger of the Inquiries

The saga began when Kousei Club Inc., a company based in Okayama Prefecture, submitted a formal information disclosure request to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) on March 20, R8, concerning the decision-making process that led to the designation of 'Puberulonic acid' as the culprit behind the incidents related to Red Koji in 2026. They expressed an interest in reviewing all administrative documents that contributed to this identification, particularly correspondence with the Osaka City Health Bureau and the National Institute of Health Sciences.

On April 22, the MHLW issued a non-disclosure decision, referred to as Notification No. 0422-2, stating that they had no documents to reflect the designation of Puberulonic acid as a cause, nor had they made any public proclamations based on such criteria. This declaration puts the entire premise of the designation and its public presentation into doubt.

Questions Surrounding Their Clarifications

Yet, leading into March 2024, a narrative took hold stating that an unusual blue mold from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's factory was discovered to produce Puberulonic acid. This raises a critical question: if the government had neither designated nor publicly announced this identifying information, where did this account originate, and on what basis has it been communicated?

Kousei Club Inc. aimed to verify the legitimacy of this story by filing another information disclosure request with the Osaka City Health Bureau. After reviewing the documents provided, they submitted an open letter to the city on June 1, R8, focusing on two essential queries: the classification of the blue mold detected in the Osaka factory and the methodology used for its identification.

On July 15, after a lengthy wait of 44 days, the Osaka City Health Bureau responded, stating they did not know the details of the processes leading up to the shipment of the test result notification from the Osaka Health Safety Infrastructure Research Institute, which was dated October 2, 2024. However, they did assert that the identification of the mold had been performed using scientifically credible methods.

Contradictions in Official Responses

The company’s follow-up question emphasized the importance of whether the standard strain comparison (the completion of identification testing) acknowledged by the city took place before or after the presentment dated May 28, 2024. The answer was evasive; the city was unable to confirm when this comparison occurred. Yet, in the same breath, they professed confidence in the scientific validity of their identification methods. If they do not have records of the processes involved, it raises substantial doubts about their claims of scientific accuracy.

Additionally, the city had earlier declared a definitive identification of the mold strain in the materials presented during the third council meeting for food poisoning measures related to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical on May 29, 2024, prior to the formal notification's arrival. This inconsistency intensifies the concerns regarding the clarity and accountability of public health declarations.

Actions Moving Forward

In light of these discrepancies, Kousei Club Inc. is now requesting further clarification from the Osaka City Health Bureau regarding the documents that substantiate their assertion of scientific validity. Should no foundational documents exist, the company insists on a formal acknowledgment of this absence. They are also pursuing information disclosure requests directed at the Osaka Health Safety Infrastructure Research Institute for the test results and related records.

The contents of the MHLW's nondisclosure decision, the responses from the Osaka City Health Bureau, and the open inquiry will be made available to members of the press upon request.

Company Overview

Kousei Club Inc.
CEO: Masahiro Mori, Pharmacist
611-1 Maekata, Hayashima Town, Okayama Prefecture, 701-0303
Phone: 086-483-0602
Email: [email protected]
Website: kunsei.com

This controversy over Red Koji and the associated blue mold continues to unfold, raising critical questions about public health practices, government communication, and the methods of scientific validation in Japan.