Kirin eyes cellular senescence as part of R&D focus
Kirin Group revealed during its annual R&D Day that it is gearing up research and development efforts targeting factors of aging, including cellular senescence and chronic inflammation.
The company has identified Agrimonia pilosa—a perennial plant of the rose family that grows wild in mountainous and wooded areas and is used as a folk remedy—as a candidate for targeting cellular senescence.
Kirin said it first discovered the plant’s ability to remove senescent cells in 2020.
New nutra regulations in APAC: What’s kicking in this year?
New major regulations are expected to affect the nutraceutical industry across Asia-Pacific in 2026.
Japan is enforcing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and new product labeling requirements for FFCs from Sept. 1.
The GMP rule was first introduced in September 2024, and a two-year grace period was given. All companies are required to comply with the GMP requirement, no matter the formats of their products.
MLB star Shohei Ohtani joins Kirin as official ‘Immune Care’ ambassador
Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani has been appointed “Immune Care” promotion ambassador by Kirin Holdings, accompanied by a nationwide TV commercial campaign.
The campaign will focus on the Kirin iMUSE supplement series, which is built around Kirin’s postbiotic Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma.
The ingredient, which won the 2023 NutraIngredients-USA Microbiome Modulation ingredient of the year award, is reported to activate key immune cells called plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which are key drivers of the immune system and stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses.
Fat reduction, fatigue, gut health: Japan’s top FFC health claims
Fat reduction, fatigue and gut health-related claims were the top three most popular indications for FFCs in Japan between April 2024 and March 2025.
Almost three out of 10 FFC products (27.9%) made claims related to fat reduction and weight control. Another 7.6% made fatigue-related claims and 7% claimed to support abdominal and intestinal health.
This is according to the annual “In-Depth Analysis Report on FFCs Notified in FY2024” authored by Hisaaki Kato, CEO at Japan-based consultancy Smooth Link Inc.
Immune health functional foods see new high in Japan
A record number of 71 products making immune health claims were notified under Japan’s FFCs between April 2024 and March 2025.
This record builds on the momentum from last year, when 34 such products were notified.
One reason for this finding is the growing number of ingredients approved to make immune health claims.
