The Japan Society of Head and Neck Cancer (Location: Koto-ku, Tokyo, Director: Seiichi Yoshimoto; hereinafter referred to as JSHNC) and Rakuten Medical, Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and Chairman: Hiroshi Mikitani; hereinafter referred to as Rakuten Medical) will begin distributing awareness stickers for head and neck cancer, featuring Rakuten Group's official character "Okaimono Panda," at medical institutions nationwide starting in July 2026, coinciding with "World Head and Neck Cancer Day" on July 27.

A survey conducted among the general public during the "Rakuten Medical Head and Neck Cancer Overcoming Day" disease awareness event held in 2026 revealed that the awareness rate of the disease name "head and neck cancer" remained at approximately 40%. In light of this background, this new initiative aims to broadly convey the importance of prevention and early consultation through stickers that are frequently seen in daily life.

Rakuten Medical has previously collaborated with multiple academic societies to conduct disease awareness activities using "Okaimono Panda," reaching demographics with limited exposure to medical information. This initiative has been produced based on the insights gained from these activities, with supervision from specialists at the Japan Society of Head and Neck Cancer.

<Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Stickers Featuring "Okaimono Panda">

These stickers highlight the importance of quitting smoking and moderating alcohol consumption, which are crucial for preventing head and neck cancer, as well as symptoms such as mouth sores that do not heal, changes in voice, lumps in the neck, and difficulty swallowing, to encourage early consultation. By accessing the JSHNC's website for the general public via a QR code, users can obtain information useful for symptom confirmation and deciding whether to seek medical attention.

The revised version of "5+1 Cancer Prevention Methods Based on Scientific Evidence," announced on June 3, 2026, identifies smoking and alcohol consumption as "factors that reliably increase risk" for multiple cancers, including head and neck cancer1. These stickers are designed to encourage the practice of preventive behaviors based on such the latest scientific findings.

Since 2024, the JSHNC and Rakuten Medical have collaborated with Vissel Kobe and the Rakuten Eagles to conduct disease awareness activities through sports. Moving forward, they will continue to work together on preventive awareness centered on "smoking cessation," "moderating alcohol intake," and "oral care," as well as disseminating medical information that leads to early detection and treatment.

* Survey conducted on attendees at Rakuten Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi on May 23, 2026 (N=2,918)

About World Head and Neck Cancer Day

In July 2014, at the 5th World Congress of the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncology Societies (IFHNOS) held in the United States, July 27 was designated as "World Head and Neck Cancer Day" with the aim of disseminating accurate knowledge about head and neck cancer globally and promoting early detection.

About Head and Neck Cancer

In Japan, approximately 47,000 people* develop head and neck cancer annually. Head and neck cancer is a general term for cancers occurring in the region from the head to the collarbone (excluding the brain and eyes). The head and neck region is broadly composed of organs such as the nose, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Depending on the site of occurrence, diagnoses include pharyngeal cancer (nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal), laryngeal cancer (glottic, supraglottic, subglottic), nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers (e.g., maxillary sinus cancer), oral cavity cancers (e.g., tongue cancer), salivary gland cancer, and thyroid cancer. This region, known as the head and neck, is where vital functions for human life such as breathing and swallowing, as well as important daily functions like speech, taste, and hearing are concentrated. Impairment of these functions affects Quality of Life (QOL), necessitating treatments that aim to balance cancer cure with QOL.

* Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Health Policy Bureau, Cancer Control and Public Health Division, Appendix 1 of the "Report on Incidence and Rates of Cancer in Japan, 2023" - Total value for lip to other and unspecified lip, oral cavity and pharynx, nasal cavity and middle ear, paranasal sinuses, larynx, and thyroid.

Japan Society of Head and Neck Cancer

The Japan Society of Head and Neck Cancer was established as the Head and Neck Tumor Study Group in 1961 with the aim of promoting the advancement and dissemination of head and neck cancer studies, exchanging knowledge, and cooperating with related domestic and international academic societies, thereby contributing to the development of Japanese academia. It was renamed the Japan Society of Head and Neck Cancer in 2004, became a corporation in 2017, and currently has over 3,000 members. Head and neck cancer treatment requires collaboration with surgical departments such as otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and plastic surgery, as well as radiation oncology, medical oncology, and diagnostic pathology. The JSHNC includes professionals from a wide range of fields and contributes to head and neck cancer treatment in Japan. http://www.jshnc.umin.ne.jp/index.html

About Rakuten Medical, Inc.

Rakuten Medical is a global biotechnology company that develops and sells new treatments for various diseases, including cancer, based on its technology platform called the Aluminox® platform, which combines drugs and light. Non-clinical studies (non-public data) of pharmaceuticals and medical devices developed based on this platform have confirmed selective necrosis of specific cells. Rakuten Medical aims to realize its mission of "Overcoming Cancer" by delivering its innovative treatments to as many patients as possible worldwide, as quickly as possible. In addition to its headquarters in the United States, it has bases in five countries/regions worldwide: Japan, Taiwan, Switzerland, and India. Rakuten Medical, Inc. is the Japanese subsidiary of Rakuten Medical, Inc. (US corporation). For more information, please visit https://rakuten-med.com/jp/.

About Rakuten Group's Official Character "Okaimono Panda"

"Okaimono Panda" first appeared as an original LINE sticker for "Rakuten Ichiba" in May 2013. Since then, with over 58 million friends on the "Rakuten Ichiba" LINE official account (as of June 2026), it has become Rakuten's official character, loved by people of all ages and genders for its adorable appearance and relatable emotional expressions.

Official Website: https://event.rakuten.co.jp/okaimonopanda/

Official X: https://x.com/Rakuten_Panda

Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@okaimonopanda

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okaimonopanda_official

Reference:

1. National Cancer Center, National Institute of Public Health, "Cancer Prevention Methods Based on Scientific Evidence (Know Cancer 301)" 3rd Edition, 2nd Printing (April 2026)

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 啓発