Gargle "Isodine®", continuing since 1961, strengthens gargling awareness by establishing a commemorative day on its 65th anniversary: November 5th and 6th designated as "Good Gargling Day"
iNova Pharmaceuticals Japan has designated November 5th and 6th as "Good Gargling Day" to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the gargle "Isodine®", which has been in use since 1961. The aim is to re-raise awareness of gargling, which has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, and contribute to infectious disease prevention by promoting correct habits.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 20:00
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iNova Pharmaceuticals Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; General Manager: Kayoko Ichihara), which manufactures and sells the "Isodine®" brand, a gargle with a high market share, has received certification from the Japan Anniversary Association (Headquarters: Saku City, Nagano Prefecture; Representative Director: Kiyoshi Kase) and has designated November 5th and 6th as "Good Gargling Day".
■ Background and Purpose of Establishment
In recent years, due to behavioral changes related to infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of "gargling" is thought to have relatively declined compared to handwashing and masks. While infection control measures such as hand sanitization and mask-wearing have become widely established, "gargling" is arguably not sufficiently established as a daily habit*.
Against this background, as a company that has inherited and developed the "Isodine®" gargle brand, which has continued for 65 years since 1961, we established this commemorative day with the aim of re-examining the importance of "gargling" and widely promoting correct "gargling" methods and habit formation. "Gargling" is a hygiene habit deeply rooted in Japanese life, and it is said to have been practiced as a means of oral cleaning as early as the Heian period. It is one of the basic infectious disease countermeasures that can be easily incorporated, and even now plays an important role as self-care that can be continued effortlessly in daily life.
The newly established commemorative day is named "Good Gargling Day" for November 5th and 6th, based on the Japanese wordplay "ii (11)" (good) and "gorogoro" or "garagara" (onomatopoeia for gargling sounds) for "56". November marks the beginning of winter, and with the drop in temperature and humidity, the air becomes dry, and infectious diseases such as influenza and colds begin to spread. Given these seasonal factors, this period, when the importance of daily preventive actions increases, is considered the optimal time to review "gargling". Through this commemorative day, we aim to promote the establishment of "correct gargling habits" for each individual and contribute to raising awareness of infectious disease prevention.
*Source: Mundipharma K.K. "Survey on Infectious Disease Countermeasures during Exam Season" (https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202301111984)
(This survey was conducted by Mundipharma K.K. before our company took over the "Isodine®" business)
■ Correct Gargling Method
To enhance the effectiveness of infection prevention, it is important to practice gargling in 3 steps of 15 seconds each, as shown on the right. It is effective to do so when returning home to remove bacteria, viruses, and dust received from outside air or others, and upon waking up to remove oral bacteria that have multiplied during sleep.
■ About "Isodine®"
Our company's "Isodine®" gargle brand* has been a staple gargle for 65 years since its introduction to Japan in 1961, familiar to households as a gargle with bactericidal and disinfectant effects against viruses, bacteria, and fungi that cause infectious diseases. With a mission to support people's healthy daily lives, we offer a wide range of products, including gargles, throat care products, wound care and disinfection products, covering everything from daily hygiene habits to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The brand website introduces information on the "Isodine®" series products and information on gargling and handwashing.
*"Isodine®" is a registered trademark of iNova Pharmaceuticals.
Brand website: https://www.isodine.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isodine.official/
X: https://x.com/isodine_koshiki
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@isodine
■ About iNova Pharmaceuticals Japan Co., Ltd.
iNova Pharmaceuticals Japan is a consumer healthcare company that supports people's daily health and well-being, with the "Isodine®" gargle brand at its core. We value practical products based on scientific evidence and hygiene habits rooted in Japanese lifestyles, providing infectious disease countermeasures that can be effortlessly continued in daily life, from prevention to treatment.
iNova Pharmaceuticals is a global company headquartered in Singapore, operating in over 75 countries and regions, including Japan. In Japan, we aim to expand sustainable business value as a comprehensive infectious disease prevention brand through the "Isodine®" brand.
■ Background and Purpose of Establishment
In recent years, due to behavioral changes related to infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of "gargling" is thought to have relatively declined compared to handwashing and masks. While infection control measures such as hand sanitization and mask-wearing have become widely established, "gargling" is arguably not sufficiently established as a daily habit*.
Against this background, as a company that has inherited and developed the "Isodine®" gargle brand, which has continued for 65 years since 1961, we established this commemorative day with the aim of re-examining the importance of "gargling" and widely promoting correct "gargling" methods and habit formation. "Gargling" is a hygiene habit deeply rooted in Japanese life, and it is said to have been practiced as a means of oral cleaning as early as the Heian period. It is one of the basic infectious disease countermeasures that can be easily incorporated, and even now plays an important role as self-care that can be continued effortlessly in daily life.
The newly established commemorative day is named "Good Gargling Day" for November 5th and 6th, based on the Japanese wordplay "ii (11)" (good) and "gorogoro" or "garagara" (onomatopoeia for gargling sounds) for "56". November marks the beginning of winter, and with the drop in temperature and humidity, the air becomes dry, and infectious diseases such as influenza and colds begin to spread. Given these seasonal factors, this period, when the importance of daily preventive actions increases, is considered the optimal time to review "gargling". Through this commemorative day, we aim to promote the establishment of "correct gargling habits" for each individual and contribute to raising awareness of infectious disease prevention.
*Source: Mundipharma K.K. "Survey on Infectious Disease Countermeasures during Exam Season" (https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202301111984)
(This survey was conducted by Mundipharma K.K. before our company took over the "Isodine®" business)
■ Correct Gargling Method
To enhance the effectiveness of infection prevention, it is important to practice gargling in 3 steps of 15 seconds each, as shown on the right. It is effective to do so when returning home to remove bacteria, viruses, and dust received from outside air or others, and upon waking up to remove oral bacteria that have multiplied during sleep.
■ About "Isodine®"
Our company's "Isodine®" gargle brand* has been a staple gargle for 65 years since its introduction to Japan in 1961, familiar to households as a gargle with bactericidal and disinfectant effects against viruses, bacteria, and fungi that cause infectious diseases. With a mission to support people's healthy daily lives, we offer a wide range of products, including gargles, throat care products, wound care and disinfection products, covering everything from daily hygiene habits to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The brand website introduces information on the "Isodine®" series products and information on gargling and handwashing.
*"Isodine®" is a registered trademark of iNova Pharmaceuticals.
Brand website: https://www.isodine.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isodine.official/
X: https://x.com/isodine_koshiki
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@isodine
■ About iNova Pharmaceuticals Japan Co., Ltd.
iNova Pharmaceuticals Japan is a consumer healthcare company that supports people's daily health and well-being, with the "Isodine®" gargle brand at its core. We value practical products based on scientific evidence and hygiene habits rooted in Japanese lifestyles, providing infectious disease countermeasures that can be effortlessly continued in daily life, from prevention to treatment.
iNova Pharmaceuticals is a global company headquartered in Singapore, operating in over 75 countries and regions, including Japan. In Japan, we aim to expand sustainable business value as a comprehensive infectious disease prevention brand through the "Isodine®" brand.