What is the reality of 'Cheering Heatstroke' experienced by 1 in 2 people? Ajinomoto Co., Inc. launches '"Cheering Heatstroke" Countermeasure Project' for its oral rehydration solution 'AQUA SOLITA®' and releases survey data on heatstroke during summer outdoor cheering

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (President: Shigeo Nakamura, Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) is launching the '"Cheering Heatstroke" Countermeasure Project' (*1) for its oral rehydration solution 'AQUA SOLITA®' series, defining heatstroke among those who 'cheer' for sports outdoors through cheering, watching, or playing musical instruments as 'Cheering Heatstroke'. In recent years, due to the effects of intense heat, heatstroke during sports and outdoor activities has become a serious social issue. However, heatstroke among supporters who sustain games and events outdoors has not been sufficiently recognized. Therefore, a survey was conducted targeting people who 'cheer' for sports outdoors, including members of brass bands and cheerleading squads. The results revealed that one in two people has experienced symptoms considered to be heatstroke, highlighting the importance of heatstroke countermeasures for 'cheerers'. In light of this, the 'AQUA SOLITA®' series aims to promote 'Cheering Heatstroke' countermeasures by communicating the importance of proper water and electrolyte replenishment from the perspective of 'supporting the supporters'. This project will run from late May to August, initially focusing on 'brass bands,' which the survey identified as being at particularly high risk for 'Cheering Heatstroke'. On Sunday, May 31, a large-scale sampling of 'AQUA SOLITA®' will be conducted at the 'Koshien Brass Band Festival 2026,' where brass band members from all over the country will gather. Additionally, on Wednesday, June 10, an open class event and an 'AQUA SOLITA® Presentation Ceremony' will be held for the Waseda Jitsugyo High School Brass Band. From June onwards, awareness activities for 'Cheering Heatstroke' countermeasures will be conducted for an even wider audience of 'cheerers'. (*1) A project to raise awareness about being prepared to drink an oral rehydration solution immediately if symptoms of heatstroke during cheering, such as excessive sweating or dizziness, are observed. Project special website: https://www.ajinomoto.co.jp/aquasolita/ouen/ Survey Results for 'Cheerers': The Overlooked 'Cheering Heatstroke' In recent years, social concern about heatstroke has been increasing due to prolonged periods of intense heat, and severe heat is expected nationwide again this year. Furthermore, with high temperatures continuing from May, earlier than usual this year, it is necessary to be cautious about heatstroke from an earlier stage than before. In this context, the environment of 'cheerers' is often overlooked. At sports tournaments and events, there are many cases where people continue to cheer or play instruments outdoors for long periods, subjecting them to continuous heat stress. However, we believe that because cheering is perceived as 'not strenuous exercise' compared to the main participants in sports, the priority of heatstroke countermeasures is lowered, and the risks are easily overlooked. This survey defined heatstroke that occurs during such cheering as 'Cheering Heatstroke' and clarified its reality.

① 1 in 2 people with outdoor cheering experience has had symptoms of heatstroke, revealing a reality of 'prioritizing cheering' and pushing through. ② Insufficient hydration has become the norm, with 1 in 3 people answering that they 'could not drink enough' water. ③ Brass bands, at the 'front line of cheering,' have about twice the experience of heatstroke. Unique heatstroke risks for brass bands were also revealed. ④ While understanding of the function of oral rehydration solutions is growing, less than 10% use them during outdoor cheering and spectating. ■ About 1 in 2 people have experienced symptoms of heatstroke while cheering, revealing a reality of 'prioritizing cheering' and pushing through. The survey revealed that about one in two people who have cheered outdoors have experienced symptoms of mild heatstroke, such as 'unstoppable heavy sweating' and 'flushed face'. Furthermore, about 40% answered that they 'have continued cheering even when feeling slightly unwell,' indicating a reality where people push themselves too hard, prioritizing the act of cheering. ■ Insufficient hydration has become the norm, with about 1 in 3 people answering that they 'could not drink enough' water. Regarding hydration during sports cheering and spectating, about one in three people (33%) answered that they 'could not do it sufficiently'. In terms of water intake, 27% drank 'less than 500ml' and 6.5% 'hardly drank at all,' showing that about one in three people were cheering without drinking even one 500ml bottle of water. As for the reasons for insufficient hydration, 'no timing to drink' (46%) was the most common, followed by 'refraining from drinking due to concerns about the toilet' (29%) and 'wanting to concentrate on cheering' (15%). This suggests a reality where hydration is postponed due to concentration on cheering, increasing the risk of heatstroke from dehydration. ■ Brass bands, at the 'front line of cheering,' have about twice the experience of heatstroke. Unique heatstroke risks for brass bands were also revealed. Focusing on brass bands, a symbolic presence among 'cheerers,' the survey found that while 17% of general cheerers had experienced heatstroke during or after performing outdoors in the summer, the figure for those with brass band experience was 35%, about twice as high. The reasons behind this included 'intense physical exhaustion from long performances' (40%) and 'instruments getting hot in the sun' (35%), highlighting the unique circumstances of brass bands, such as continuous performance and heat/glare from instruments. Furthermore, 'sweet drinks like juice' (25%) and 'sports drinks' (15%) were cited as beverages not permitted during cheering performances. Some schools restrict drinks because they contain sugar and can damage instruments, making hydration a challenge. ■ While understanding of the function of oral rehydration solutions is growing, less than 10% use them during summer outdoor cheering and spectating. Regarding the image of oral rehydration solutions, there is a growing understanding of their functional aspects, such as 'can efficiently replenish water and electrolytes' (43.0%) and 'seems to be well-absorbed by the body' (40.3%), as well as recognition of their use cases, such as 'something to drink when dehydrated' (49.5%). On the other hand, looking at hydration practices in scenes where people sweat a lot, such as watching sports or cheering outdoors in the summer, only 9.5% choose 'oral rehydration solution,' indicating that it is not sufficiently utilized in these situations. ■ Survey Overview ・Survey Title: 'Survey on Cheering Heatstroke' ・Target: Men and women in their 20s to 60s ・Survey Period: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - Sunday, April 12, 2026 ・Sample Size: 400ss (Breakdown: 100ss current/former brass band members / 300ss people with experience cheering outdoors on-site in summer (July-Sept)) ・Survey Method: Internet survey Expert Comments ■ Dr. Hideki Taniguchi, Director of Patient Support Center, Saiseikai Yokohama-shi Tobu Hospital; Visiting Professor, Tokyo Healthcare University Graduate School Cheerers also need adequate heatstroke countermeasures. Medically, in addition to environmental factors like long hours outdoors and direct sunlight, the continuous loss of water and electrolytes from the body through vocalization and playing instruments makes them prone to dehydration. Even in activities that seem to have low exercise intensity, the combination of these conditions increases the load on the body. Furthermore, concentration on cheering can delay the self-awareness of changes in physical condition, and it is difficult for others to notice any abnormalities, which increases the risk of heatstroke. Especially in brass bands, it is difficult to hydrate during performances, and dehydration can progress without one's knowledge. In addition, the amount of water lost through breathing (insensible water loss) increases with vocalization and playing instruments, further elevating the risk of dehydration. From this background, it is important to perceive the risk from the perspective of 'Cheering Heatstroke'. Especially in the hot season, it is necessary to be careful not only of heatstroke but also of dehydration due to lack of drinking water. The basis of prevention is to consciously hydrate frequently. On top of that, it is also effective to be prepared in advance to use an oral rehydration solution appropriately when symptoms suggestive of heatstroke, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or excessive sweating, appear. MD, PhD. Graduated from Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine in 1991. Later joined the Department of Anesthesiology at Yokohama City University School of Medicine. In 2011, became a professor at the Faculty of Health and Welfare, Kanagawa University of Human Services. In 2016, became the Director of the Patient Support Center at Saiseikai Yokohama-shi Tobu Hospital. Specializes in anesthesiology, intensive care medicine, oral rehydration therapy, and dehydration countermeasures. Author of many books including 'Protecting Life from Heatstroke,' 'Life-Saving Hydration,' and 'The Science of Life-Saving Drinking: A Manual for Body-Pleasing Hydration' (Hyogensha). ■ Mr. Ryutaro Horie, Brass Band Instructor While brass band is not classified as a sport, I feel that wind instruments, which require continuous and abundant use of breath, and percussion instruments, which are often played while standing, actually consume a considerable amount of physical strength. The lack of awareness of this is particularly dangerous in the summer. During the performance of a piece of music, it is not possible to hydrate unless there is a rest of a certain length, except in special cases. Some pieces can last for 10 minutes. In that case, I believe that the water and necessary components replenished between pieces need to be absorbed by the body more quickly. It is precisely because it is an important cheering occasion where physical condition management is crucial that I feel there is significance in choosing the appropriate beverage according to the situation. Good performance comes from proper health management. I think this can be said for all genres, not just music. It may be important to review daily hydration habits to avoid getting sick during an important performance. Conductor, composer/arranger, brass band instructor. Graduated from The Music High School Attached to the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, University of Music and Theatre Leipzig, and Berlin University of the Arts Graduate School with top honors. Acquired the German State Performer Qualification. Served as a full-time lecturer at a German state music school, a soloist for the Menuhin Music Foundation, a contract member of the Theater Nordhausen, and has made numerous guest appearances with domestic and international symphony orchestras such as the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and the Gewandhaus Orchestra, performing in over 3,000 concerts as a trombone player. Conducts guest conducting, competition judging, school instruction, and private lessons both in Japan and abroad. On YouTube, as a 'brass band expert,' he has published over 900 videos, contributing to the Japanese brass band community. About the '"Cheering Heatstroke" Countermeasure Project' The '"Cheering Heatstroke" Countermeasure Project' is an activity conducted by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. for its 'AQUA SOLITA®' series to raise awareness about countermeasures for heatstroke among people who 'cheer' for sports outdoors, i.e., 'Cheering Heatstroke'. From the perspective of 'supporting the supporters,' it aims to promote 'Cheering Heatstroke' countermeasures by communicating the importance of proper water and electrolyte replenishment. The project will run from late May to August, initially focusing on brass bands, which are considered to be at particularly high risk for 'Cheering Heatstroke'. As the first phase of the project, starting with a large-scale sampling of 'AQUA SOLITA®' at the 'Koshien Brass Band Festival 2026' on Sunday, May 31, where brass band members from all over the country will gather, an open class event and an 'AQUA SOLITA® Presentation Ceremony' will be held for the Waseda Jitsugyo High School Brass Band on Wednesday, June 10. From then on, awareness activities for 'Cheering Heatstroke' countermeasures will be conducted for an even wider audience of 'cheerers'. Project special website: https://www.ajinomoto.co.jp/aquasolita/ouen/ Project Phase 1 'Koshien Brass Band Festival Cheering Operation!' Overview The 'Koshien Brass Band Festival 2026' is a high school brass band concert held at Hanshin Koshien Stadium (Nishinomiya City), where brass band members from all over the country gather. It was first held in 2023 as part of the Hanshin Koshien Stadium 100th anniversary project, and last year, a total of about 1,000 high school students from 8 schools performed high school baseball cheering songs, marching, and cheerleading in front of an audience of about 7,000. On the day of the event, a large-scale sampling of the oral rehydration solution 'AQUA SOLITA®' will be conducted for the participating brass band members, while collecting information on the reality of 'Cheering Heatstroke' through interviews. Awareness of 'Cheering Heatstroke' countermeasures will be raised through the distribution of the filmed footage and advertising. About the 'AQUA SOLITA®' Series 'AQUA SOLITA®' is an oral rehydration solution that has obtained permission to be labeled as a food for special dietary uses (*2), specifically an individually evaluated food for persons with medical conditions. 'AQUA SOLITA®' and 'AQUA SOLITA®' Jelly are suitable for replenishing water and electrolytes during mild dehydration due to heatstroke or excessive sweating. They are easy-to-drink oral rehydration solutions thanks to the ingredient blending technology utilizing our proprietary 'Oishisa Design Technology®'. Through this project, we will support everyone who is passionate about cheering and widely communicate the importance of appropriate water and electrolyte replenishment. (*2) Foods for special dietary uses (excluding foods for specified health uses) are foods that are labeled for special purposes, such as being suitable for the growth of infants, or for maintaining or restoring the health of pregnant or lactating women, persons with difficulty swallowing, or sick persons. To sell a food as a food for special dietary uses, permission for its labeling must be obtained from the Commissioner of the Consumer Affairs Agency (Article 43, Paragraph 1 of the Health Promotion Act). In addition, for permission to be granted, the product must be reviewed by the government for its conformity to standards or requirements. Source: Consumer Affairs Agency website https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/food_labeling/foods_for_special_dietary_uses Oral rehydration solution is a beverage designed to quickly absorb lost water and electrolytes and retain them firmly in the body. Point ① High efficiency of water absorption into the body! Water absorption into the body mainly occurs in the small intestine. Oral rehydration solutions have a good balance of sodium and sugar, allowing for more efficient water absorption from the small intestine. Point ② Can firmly retain water in the body! When only water is consumed, the ingested water is easily excreted from the body. Oral rehydration solutions allow for the intake of necessary water and electrolytes together, maintaining the body's electrolyte concentration and thus firmly retaining water. Compared to sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions have a higher sodium concentration and can replenish electrolytes, thus retaining water in the body. Sports drinks are recommended for replenishing water and energy during exercise, while oral rehydration solutions are recommended for rehydration during dehydration. Product Overview Product Name: ① 'AQUA SOLITA®' ② 'AQUA SOLITA®' Jelly Feature: Heatstroke