Wellness Food Promotion Association Transitions to Japan Wellness Industry Promotion Association (JWIA), Expanding Scope of Activities

The General Incorporated Association Wellness Food Promotion Association (Secretariat: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kazuyoshi Yazawa), whose mission has been to promote the sound market formation and growth of the wellness industry, centered on food (wellness food), thereby extending the healthy life expectancy of the nation, has now changed its name to the General Incorporated Association Japan Wellness Industry Promotion Association (hereinafter referred to as "the Association"). Simultaneously, it has revamped its organizational structure and expanded its activities from focusing primarily on food (wellness food) to encompassing the entire wellness industry.

This change is driven by the accelerating societal demand to shift from "treatment" to "prevention and pre-symptomatic care," and the ongoing super-aging of the population. The Association aims to create a foundation for a wellness society where consumers can reliably choose products and services, and research findings are implemented in daily life.

## Background of the Name Change

In recent years, with Japan facing a super-aging society, health and wellness are no longer issues that can be resolved solely by individual effort. Addressing health challenges requires various fields, including food, medical care, exercise, sleep, mental care, and living environment, to collaborate and realize health promotion throughout daily life.

Furthermore, in an era where the quality of scientific evidence for all products and services is questioned, establishing a "foundation of trust" that consumers can safely choose from has become an urgent task.

Against this background, the Association will strengthen initiatives that connect science, industry, and consumers, targeting the entire wellness industry.

## The World the Association Aims For

The Association aims for a world where research achievements and technological innovations are widely implemented in society, bringing tangible value to people's daily lives.
Under the concept of "A Wellness Society Connected by Trust: Science Builds the Foundation of Trust," the Association will promote the societal implementation of products and services based on data and scientific evidence, contributing to the establishment of a wellness culture and the resolution of societal issues.

To achieve this, the Association will focus on promoting the following:

* **Creation and dissemination of evidence-based products and services:**
The Association will highlight the importance of scientific evidence in the wellness industry and create opportunities to connect academia, industry, and the public.

* **Development of evaluation and certification systems for "visualization" of reliability:**
The Association will consider and promote the design and operation of systems that visualize quality and reliability from both scientific evidence and consumer experience perspectives.

* **Promotion of inter-industry networking and knowledge sharing:**
Through salons, exchange meetings, etc., the Association will foster cross-domain matching (food, exercise, sleep, measurement, living environment, etc.) and co-creation.

* **Problem-solving and standardization by subcommittees and working groups:**
Together with experts and businesses from various fields, the Association will work to organize and solve on-site problems and promote the development of guidelines and standards for the healthy development of the industry.

* **Evolutionary continuation of existing businesses:**
Seminars, symposiums, exhibitions, and the Wellness Food Awards will be expanded from a cross-industry perspective.

## About the Logo Mark

This logo mark visually represents the idea of "Optimizing Japan's Wellness." It expresses the Association's stance on aligning Japan's wellness standards based on the four perspectives of wellness advocated by the Association: "Mind, Body, Society, and Environment."

The logo mark consists of four overlapping circles along an axis reminiscent of the Japanese archipelago, each symbolizing "Mind, Body, Society, and Environment." It embodies the philosophy that sustained wellness is nurtured when individual mind and body, societal structures, and their environment are gently connected, showing how well-being circulates as they resonate with each other.

## Chairman's Comment

Yatsuo Otani, Chairman, General Incorporated Association Japan Wellness Industry Promotion Association

As the era of 100-year lifespans is becoming a reality, illness and health are topics of broad national interest. However, there are many challenges concerning the health literacy of our citizens, and it is said that individuals' self-assessment is particularly low. The market, conversely, is a mixed bag of trustworthy and untrustworthy products.

Health and prevention are not achieved through strict public regulations like medical care and pharmaceuticals, but rather through individual self-effort built over time based on daily habits. Supporting this are not only food but also various devices and services, and ensuring effective and appropriate corporate activities based on evidence is paramount.

From this perspective, we intend to work on building the foundation of a wellness society.

## Association Overview

* New Association Name: General Incorporated Association Japan Wellness Industry Promotion Association
* Former Association Name: General Incorporated Association Wellness Food Promotion Association
* Location: Daiwa Ginza Building, 6-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (within RD Support Co., Ltd.)
* Chairman: Yatsuo Otani (Chairman, Kanagawa University of Human Services)
* New Association Website: https://j-wia.org/

Contact for this matter:
General Incorporated Association Japan Wellness Industry