Second Edition of Popular Event "Brain Activity You Can Enjoy" Held: "Masterpiece Reading Challenge" to Encounter 100 Award-Winning Literary Masterpieces

Key visual for "7-Day Masterpiece Reading Challenge"

Sanseido Book Store Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) and Suntory Wellness Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo), following the success of the "Masterpiece Reading Challenge" held in April 2026, will launch the second edition, "2026 Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize (Award-Winning Works) Recommended Masterpieces Edition," from Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

This project, timed with the announcement of the Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, focuses on 100 masterpieces selected by Sanseido Book Store from past award-winning works. It is a project designed to engage with brain health in an enjoyable way, alongside the literary masterpieces that have been loved by many readers.

This project is part of "Otona no Nōkatsu Club" (Adult Brain Activity Club), a community initiative promoted by Suntory Wellness that allows participants to learn about and experience "things good for the brain" in a fun way. It focuses on the research that "reading is good for the brain" (Source 2) in line with "building a brain that enjoys life," advocated by "Omega Aid PLUS (Omega Aid Plus)," the No. 1 supplement in the cognitive function support market (Source 1).

*1 Source: HB Food Marketing Handbook 2026 Functional Foods Edition <<Cognitive Function Support Internal Share *2024 Sales Amount (Finalized)>> Fuji Keizai Co., Ltd.

*2 Source: Int Psychogeriatr. 2021 33:63-74.

About "Masterpiece Reading Challenge 2026 Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize (Award-Winning Works) Recommended Masterpieces Edition"

➢ Implementation Period: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Monday, August 31, 2026

➢ Locations: Sanseido Book Store Kanda Jimbocho Main Store, Yurakucho Store, Kyodo Store, Seijo Store, Ikebukuro Main Store, Atre Akihabara 1, Tokyo Solamachi Store, Atre Ueno Store, Ebina Store, Omiya Store, Sogo Chiba Store

➢ Target Works: 100 masterpieces selected by Sanseido Book Store from past Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize award-winning works.

In the "Masterpiece Reading Challenge," customers in the "adult generation" who purchase the target works will receive a kit containing a 7-day supply of the supplement "Omega Aid PLUS," formulated with nutrients beneficial for the brain, and a challenge calendar to help them enjoy and continue their reading for seven days.

Whether rereading past award-winning masterpieces or discovering new books prompted by the award winners of summer 2026, participants can enjoy and experience "things good for the brain" by continuing to read and take the supplement for seven days.

Image of the "Masterpiece Reading Challenge" leaflet (flipping over the "Omega Aid PLUS" pouch reveals fun trivia about "things good for the brain")

Customer Feedback from the April 2026 Implementation

In the "Masterpiece Reading Challenge" held in April 2026, we received many positive responses from customers regarding the experience of engaging in "things good for the brain" alongside reading.

In a post-implementation survey, approximately 90% of participants responded that they "felt brain health measures were more accessible," and 100% responded that they "want to continue reading in the future." We also received comments such as, "The 7-day period provided an opportunity to continue reading," "It was a chance to encounter masterpieces I wouldn't normally pick up," and "I was able to engage in brain activity while having fun."

Background of Implementation

- Sanseido Book Store Co., Ltd.

At Sanseido Book Store, we believe that one of the joys of a bookstore is encountering new books and experiences. Our Kanda Jimbocho Main Store, which reopened after renovations on Thursday, March 19, 2026, was designed with the concept of "A bookstore where the world expands as you walk," not just to sell books, but to provide new encounters and experiences for customers. In today's era, where people are said to live for 100 years, we are collaborating with Suntory Wellness, which promotes "things good for the brain," to ensure that people can continue to enjoy reading for as long as possible. We aim to connect customers with books and, beyond that, with services and products.

- Suntory Wellness Ltd.

Suntory Wellness aims to promote "things good for the brain" that are accessible and enjoyable for everyone, and to encourage society to approach brain health in a positive and enjoyable manner, as interest in brain function grows with the aging population. Through this initiative, we wish to expand our proposals for "things good for the brain" through reading in collaboration with the historic Sanseido Book Store.

What is "Otona no Nōkatsu Club"?

This is a community initiative that allows adults to continue challenging themselves in enjoyable ways, and to learn about and experience "things good for the brain." Suntory Wellness, which has been researching for over 40 years and offers the supplement "Omega Aid PLUS" formulated with five key intellectual nutrients, has been promoting this initiative since July 2025 in collaboration with various companies and organizations. Through activities that promote brain health and well-being, such as reading and healthy mahjong, it contributes to improving quality of life by engaging with "things good for the brain" in a fun way.

What is "Omega Aid PLUS"?

"Omega Aid PLUS," born from Suntory's long-standing brain research, is a supplement formulated with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and ARA (arachidonic acid), which are important fats for brain function, along with the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These five ingredients have been reported to help maintain memory (the ability to recall and remember). Furthermore, DHA, EPA, and ARA support the maintenance of attention and a positive mood (Source 3). Since its launch in 2011, it has surpassed 20 million cumulative units shipped (Source 4) and is the No. 1 supplement in the cognitive function support market, loved by many customers.

*3 Research report on functional ingredients.

*4 Cumulative units shipped since launch in 2011, as of the end of 2025 (calculated based on 180 capsules per bottle).

Functional Claims: DHA, EPA, ARA (arachidonic acid), and the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin contained in this product have been reported to help maintain memory (the ability to recall and remember), which is part of the cognitive function of healthy older adults. DHA, EPA, and ARA are reported to help maintain attention (the ability to quickly notice important things and pay attention to multiple things) and a positive mood (such as mental clarity and vitality) in healthy older adults.