Thursday, September 1 1921: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co established.
1921 (Taisho 10) Thursday, September 1 Otsuka Takesaburo established Otsuka Pharmaceutical Industrial Department (currently Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory) in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. The company employs 10 people and produces magnesium carbonate from salt field residue. After the war, his eldest son Masashi Otsuka took over Otsuka Pharmaceutical in 1947 (Showa 22) and greatly developed the company. 1953 (Showa 28) Oronine Ointment, 1965 (Showa 40) Oronamine C, 1980 (Showa 55) POCARI SWEAT and other hit products were launched in succession. Sales of POCARI SWEAT released in 1980 (Showa 55) initially stagnated, but in 1986 (Showa 61) Chisato Moritaka and Shigesato Itoi’s comical commercial made the POCARI SWEAT a buzz, and with...