Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd Announces VV Food & Beverage Co., Ltd. Launches Fruits Soy Bar SOY JOY in China

Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 21, 2006-- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President: Tatsuo Higuchi; Phone: +81-3-3292-0021) announced that VV Food & Beverage Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, launched sales in the Chinese market of SOYJOY, a nutritious bar-shaped baked product made from whole soybeans, on Dec 10, 2006.

SOYJOY is a new type of nutrition food product containing no wheat flour, produced by baking dough made of whole soy powder^*, with generous amounts of real fruit. Launched in Japan in April 2006, SOYJOY combines the healthy benefits of soy and the delicious flavor of fruit in a convenient, portable single-serving bar. Offering a new way to consume soy, SOYJOY has become popular among business people and others who lead busy lives and among people concerned about healthy nutrition.

* Hulled soybeans is used

Responsible for the production and sale of SOYJOY in China, VV Food & Beverage is engaged in the manufacture and sale of fresh milk, soy milk, powdered milk and other food and beverage products, and is China’s top manufacturer of soy milk powder with an approximately 70% share. Entering into a capital participation agreement with VV Food & Beverage in April 2005, Otsuka Pharmaceutical aims to reinforce its Nutraceuticals business in China through a business alliance that includes sharing of technology and product development expertise.

In the Chinese market, the packaging of “Jiao Yi Jiao”, the name of “SOYJOY” in Chinese market, followed the design in accordance with the package in Japan and United States. The product is initially available in four flavors: Raisin Peanut, Apple, Mango Coconut, and Hawthorn Berry. Sales have been launched in large-scale retailers and leading convenience stores in the VV Food & Beverage home market of XuZhou and in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

In China, individual consumption of soybeans is higher than in Japan and the healthful benefits of soy are widely recognized. Bar-type products are, however, practically non-existent and development of a market for this type of item will be vital for the success of SOYJOY in China.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical is working to develop a new business model for its Nutraceuticals segment simultaneously targeting Japan, the US., and China, three countries with totally different cultural and historical backgrounds. In response to the global desire for health and wellness, the project aims for speedy development of powerful new brands based on unique concepts and a global perspective. The launch of SOYJOY in China is positioned as a key initiative for the Japan-US-China Project.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is dedicated to contributing to the health of people around the world, based on its corporate philosophy of "Otsuka - People creating new products for better health worldwide."