Let's Get Active with Family During Golden Week!! Otsuka Pharmaceutical Holds "Pocari Sweat Body's Summer Preparation Parent-Child Experience Event" for Heatstroke Prevention Amidst "Two Seasons" Trend
Otsuka Pharmaceutical held a parent-child experience event to learn about "heat acclimatization" as a heatstroke countermeasure, preparing for the predicted hot summer. The event aimed to promote the enjoyment of sweating and the importance of hydration and electrolyte replenishment through exercise, encouraging the consumption of Pocari Sweat to prevent heatstroke.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 14:48 (16 min after Collected)
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo; hereinafter, "Otsuka Pharmaceutical") held the "Pocari Sweat Body's Summer Preparation Parent-Child Experience Event" on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at livedoor URBAN SPORTS PARK Brillia RUNNING STADIUM (Koto-ku, Tokyo). This event was organized to raise awareness about "heat acclimatization," a heatstroke prevention measure that involves gradually acclimating the body to heat. This initiative was launched before the long holiday period, when outdoor activities and exercise opportunities increase, in preparation for this summer, which is expected to be hotter than average. The event also aimed to allow participating parents and children to learn and experience the joy of sweating and the importance of fluid and electrolyte replenishment.
■ More than 80% show interest, but less than 30% make "heat acclimatization" a habit.
Heat acclimatization, which involves gradually acclimating the body to heat, is gaining attention as a heatstroke prevention measure that can be started before the heat fully sets in. A survey conducted by Otsuka Pharmaceutical in March 2026, targeting 2,000 parents nationwide with children aged 3 to elementary school grade 6, revealed that 84.1% of parents were "interested in having their children practice heat acclimatization" (31.0% strongly agree + 53.2% somewhat agree), indicating a very high level of interest. However, the percentage of respondents who actually "practice heat acclimatization" remained at 28.0% for parents and 28.8% for children (for details of the survey, please refer to the reference materials at the end of this press release).
■ 16 pairs of 40 parents and children practiced "Body's Summer Preparation" through quizzes and exercise programs.
To promote heat acclimatization, it is necessary to build a body that can sweat effectively through continuous exercise, bathing, and other activities. Otsuka Pharmaceutical describes the series of actions – "hydration and electrolyte replenishment → exercise/bathing → sweating → hydration and electrolyte replenishment" – as "Body's Summer Preparation" and is developing various communication efforts. This event was one such initiative. On the day, Makoto Fukuo, the "12th Generation Gymnastics Brother" and TV personality, and Dr. Yuri Hosokawa, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Sports Sciences, Waseda University, were invited as guests. A total of 16 pairs of 40 children aged 4 to 8 and their guardians participated in quizzes and exercise programs, learning points for heat acclimatization while experiencing "Body's Summer Preparation."
■ [Talk Session] About "Body's Summer Preparation" (Heat Acclimatization)
In the first half of the event, a talk session began with "Summer Preparation Quiz" presented by Makoto Fukuo. Children energetically and loudly answered questions such as "Why do humans sweat?" and "What happens if humans don't sweat?" Dr. Yuri Hosokawa explained, "One of the functions of sweat is temperature regulation. If you can't sweat properly, heat tends to accumulate inside your body." She further advised, "In cold winter, the body tends to forget how to sweat well. It's necessary to practice sweating to get the body accustomed to heat before summer. Not just for children, but for the whole family to engage in heat acclimatization," which was met with understanding expressions from the participants.
Next, for the question "What is important when acclimatizing to heat: 'gargling and handwashing?' or 'water and electrolytes including salt?'", everyone chose the latter. Dr. Hosokawa urged, "When practicing sweating, it's important to maintain both body fluid, which is the source of sweat, and electrolytes, which regulate body functions and water balance. Please replenish fluids and electrolytes frequently, not only after sweating but also before you start." Everyone nodded in agreement. Fukuo also cheered on, "Let's play a lot with our children and practice sweating by taking baths together. Let's all have fun sweating today and take the first step towards summer preparation!" enlivening the venue.
■ [Exercise Program] Everyone experiences summer preparation.
In the latter half of the event, under the guidance of Mr. Fukuo, participants engaged in an exercise program perfectly suited for "Body's Summer Preparation." As the event was held on Wednesday, April 22nd, the Ministry of the Environment also started operating the Reiwa 8th year heatstroke alert, so Mr. Fukuo first called out, "As we just learned, let's replenish our fluids and electrolytes!" and everyone took a gulp of Pocari Sweat. After sufficiently replenishing fluids and electrolytes, following Mr. Fukuo's cheerful calls and lively movements, they challenged themselves with park exercises like "Daruma-san's Summer Preparation" and "High-Five Relay" jogging, which focuses on heat acclimatization. Even between exercises, they drank Pocari Sweat, practicing the key points of "Body's Summer Preparation": "hydration and electrolyte replenishment → exercise → sweating → hydration and electrolyte replenishment." Parents and children together worked up a comfortable sweat, and when Mr. Fukuo finally asked, "Will you continue to move your body a lot and prepare for summer?" everyone replied, "We will continue."
■ More than 80% show interest, but less than 30% make "heat acclimatization" a habit.
Heat acclimatization, which involves gradually acclimating the body to heat, is gaining attention as a heatstroke prevention measure that can be started before the heat fully sets in. A survey conducted by Otsuka Pharmaceutical in March 2026, targeting 2,000 parents nationwide with children aged 3 to elementary school grade 6, revealed that 84.1% of parents were "interested in having their children practice heat acclimatization" (31.0% strongly agree + 53.2% somewhat agree), indicating a very high level of interest. However, the percentage of respondents who actually "practice heat acclimatization" remained at 28.0% for parents and 28.8% for children (for details of the survey, please refer to the reference materials at the end of this press release).
■ 16 pairs of 40 parents and children practiced "Body's Summer Preparation" through quizzes and exercise programs.
To promote heat acclimatization, it is necessary to build a body that can sweat effectively through continuous exercise, bathing, and other activities. Otsuka Pharmaceutical describes the series of actions – "hydration and electrolyte replenishment → exercise/bathing → sweating → hydration and electrolyte replenishment" – as "Body's Summer Preparation" and is developing various communication efforts. This event was one such initiative. On the day, Makoto Fukuo, the "12th Generation Gymnastics Brother" and TV personality, and Dr. Yuri Hosokawa, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Sports Sciences, Waseda University, were invited as guests. A total of 16 pairs of 40 children aged 4 to 8 and their guardians participated in quizzes and exercise programs, learning points for heat acclimatization while experiencing "Body's Summer Preparation."
■ [Talk Session] About "Body's Summer Preparation" (Heat Acclimatization)
In the first half of the event, a talk session began with "Summer Preparation Quiz" presented by Makoto Fukuo. Children energetically and loudly answered questions such as "Why do humans sweat?" and "What happens if humans don't sweat?" Dr. Yuri Hosokawa explained, "One of the functions of sweat is temperature regulation. If you can't sweat properly, heat tends to accumulate inside your body." She further advised, "In cold winter, the body tends to forget how to sweat well. It's necessary to practice sweating to get the body accustomed to heat before summer. Not just for children, but for the whole family to engage in heat acclimatization," which was met with understanding expressions from the participants.
Next, for the question "What is important when acclimatizing to heat: 'gargling and handwashing?' or 'water and electrolytes including salt?'", everyone chose the latter. Dr. Hosokawa urged, "When practicing sweating, it's important to maintain both body fluid, which is the source of sweat, and electrolytes, which regulate body functions and water balance. Please replenish fluids and electrolytes frequently, not only after sweating but also before you start." Everyone nodded in agreement. Fukuo also cheered on, "Let's play a lot with our children and practice sweating by taking baths together. Let's all have fun sweating today and take the first step towards summer preparation!" enlivening the venue.
■ [Exercise Program] Everyone experiences summer preparation.
In the latter half of the event, under the guidance of Mr. Fukuo, participants engaged in an exercise program perfectly suited for "Body's Summer Preparation." As the event was held on Wednesday, April 22nd, the Ministry of the Environment also started operating the Reiwa 8th year heatstroke alert, so Mr. Fukuo first called out, "As we just learned, let's replenish our fluids and electrolytes!" and everyone took a gulp of Pocari Sweat. After sufficiently replenishing fluids and electrolytes, following Mr. Fukuo's cheerful calls and lively movements, they challenged themselves with park exercises like "Daruma-san's Summer Preparation" and "High-Five Relay" jogging, which focuses on heat acclimatization. Even between exercises, they drank Pocari Sweat, practicing the key points of "Body's Summer Preparation": "hydration and electrolyte replenishment → exercise → sweating → hydration and electrolyte replenishment." Parents and children together worked up a comfortable sweat, and when Mr. Fukuo finally asked, "Will you continue to move your body a lot and prepare for summer?" everyone replied, "We will continue."