#Japan #Osaka #Kobayashi #Red Koji #Osaka Health

Examination of the Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Red Koji Incident

In the recent Red Koji incident involving Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, significant concerns have been raised regarding the oversight and actions (or lack thereof) by the Osaka city health authorities. The issue revolves around the substance known as 'Publeruric Acid,' which was alleged to be contained in the red koji materials involved in the case.

The facts confirmed through public information requests and responses from both the Ministry of Health and Osaka city authorities outline some alarming gaps:

1. Lack of Material Retrieval: Osaka city failed to retrieve the red koji raw materials that were supposedly linked to the incident, as stated under Article 28 of the Food Sanitation Act. This was confirmed in their response dated January 29, 2026, indicating a lack of proactive measures in addressing the situation.

2. Specimen Origin Concerns: All specimens tested by Osaka city were obtained either from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical or voluntarily provided by the company. This raises questions about the integrity of the specimens, as it appears they may include items that Kobayashi voluntarily recalled from the market.

3. Denial of Involvement in National Testing: Osaka city explicitly stated that they were not involved in the national tests concerning these specimens. Furthermore, the national authority claimed they had not created or retained any documentation relating to the specimens’ receipt or decision-making processes.

4. Unsubstantiated Claims in Reports: Despite the findings, Osaka reports from May 29, 2026, and a detailed food poisoning report from March 19, 2027, prominently mention 'Publeruric Acid' without providing any verifiable records regarding who made this determination, when, or on what basis.

This incident shines a light on a critical aspect seen in other historical cases like the Hakamada Incident, where the authenticity of evidence was heavily debated. In this scenario, the lack of secure evidence raises significant concerns: how can we trust the conclusions drawn by public authorities when they rely solely on materials provided by the accused parties without independently verifying them?

Examining this situation further, it mirrors aspects of the Hakamada case in that vital evidence was not secured by the authorities themselves, which questions its legitimacy. Our apprehension is not an assertion of evidence fabrication but focuses on the striking similarity in how both cases handled crucial evidence.

Mayor Yokoyama's Involvement

In the third meeting of the Osaka City Food Poisoning Response Headquarters held on May 29, 2026, it was noted that Mayor Hiroyuki Yokoyama presided over the proceedings where documents mentioning 'Publeruric Acid' were discussed. This scenario raises a crucial question regarding his leadership: why was a public statement made about the presence of Publeruric Acid based on materials that had not been independently retrieved?

Our company has sought various explanations, including an official apology and compensation request submitted on August 9, 2028, and subsequently issued several inquiry letters, including an August 11 public inquiry with a response deadline by August 25. As of today, we have received no replies to our queries.

The core of our request is simple: we wish to understand the scientific basis upon which the Osaka city health department declared the presence of 'Publeruric Acid.' If the documents to support this claim exist, we demand they be disclosed. Conversely, if no such records exist, the city must admit this fact publicly.

Closing Remarks

These revelations are critical as they could affect public health and trust in the regulatory bodies responsible for safeguarding food safety. The administrative documents we reference serve as evidence of the oversight in this case.

Our company, Kounsei Club, led by pharmacist and representative director Masahiro Mori, is deeply invested in ensuring transparency and accountability in this matter. As we continue to navigate these challenges, we aim to provide safe and trustworthy products, including our renowned Kurashiki Sausages. For further information regarding the red koji materials, please visit our website.

Company Overview:
Company Name: Kounsei Club Co., Ltd.
Location: 611-1 Maegata, Hayashima Town, Tsukubo District, Okayama Prefecture
Business Focus: Production and sale of smoked foods
Phone: 086-483-0602
Email: [email protected]
Red Koji Information: Kounsei Club