Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.

Heads of Japan pharma company resign over scandal linked to 80 deaths

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 24 Jul 2024 09:06
3 Min Read

Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals acted with an "insufficient sense of urgency" and failed to prioritize patient safety, according to an external report released by the company's board.

Listen
  • x
  • A woman points her finger at the signage of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical as she walks past the company's office in Tokyo on March 28, 2024. (AFP)
    A woman points her finger at the signage of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical as she walks past the company's office in Tokyo on March 28, 2024. (AFP)

Japan's Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's president and chairman resigned on Tuesday following an investigation revealing 80 deaths potentially related to dietary supplements used to reduce cholesterol levels.

The pharmaceutical firm acted with an "insufficient sense of urgency" and failed to prioritize patient safety, according to an external report released by the company's board on Tuesday. The report, conducted by external lawyers, showed that Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals started to receive reports of kidney-related problems from physicians in mid-January and early February.

The health issues originated from the pharmaceutical company's over-the-counter tablets, containing red yeast rice, or "beni koji," fermented with a mold culture. 

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical released a statement concerning President Akihiro Kobayashi and Chairman Kazumasa Kobayashi's resignation, saying the decision was made "to clarify executive responsibility over a series of actions by our company related to the ‘beni koji’ issue."

Related News

UK shredded key files amid infected blood deaths lawsuit panic

Mold produced a harmful acid

Red yeast rice is a common ingredient used in food, alcoholic drinks, and folk medicine in the East Asian region, and has been proven to improve cholesterol levels. However, medical studies have also warned that the constituent poses a risk of organ damage depending on its chemical makeup.

In the case of the dietary supplements, the mold produced a potentially harmful acid that resulted in customers returning three brands of tablets in March due to kidney-related issues. The pharmaceutical company then conducted an internal probe, discovering a total of 80 deaths were potentially linked to kidney problems caused by the dietary supplements.

“Kobayashi Pharmaceutical had never before received multiple reports of serious cases from doctors in such a short period of time," the team of lawyers said on Tuesday, stressing that the company should have withdrawn the products and reported the cases. However, the action was only taken after the investigation was conducted.

“Despite this, the company did not immediately consider disclosure to consumers, acting with an insufficient sense of urgency," the lawyers added.

The government also criticized the firm's delayed reporting of cases, describing their lack of transparency as "extremely regrettable." 

Although Akihiro Kobayashi will continue to play a role in managing the company's compensation-related issues to claim responsibility for the harm, the firm revealed that its new president is their former head of sustainability policy, Satoshi Yamane.

  • Japan
  • pharmaceutical company
  • Pharmaceuticals industry

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian detainee al-Arida expresses gratitude to Al Mayadeen.
Politics

Freed Palestinian detainee Mahmoud al-Arida salutes Al Mayadeen

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez gestures as he speaks at the Global Progress Action Summit, in London, Friday, September 26, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Spain to maintain arms embargo on ‘Israel’ despite ceasefire

Israeli excavators work in the Gaza Strip as the sun sets, seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian clans condemn chaos in Gaza, back security forces

The sun sets behind buildings destroyed during the Israeli aggression in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime cuts Gaza aid to 300 trucks, blocks fuel and gas

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS