We have been conducting researches on FPP on the theme of "Healthy Aging", aimed at achieving to reduce medical costs though preventive medicine.

My idea of the best preventive medicine is "EDUCATION". We should provide effective dietary education to young people and let them know that we can prevent diseases by a healthy diet and way of life, which will lead to a reduction in national medical costs. AIDS is a typical infectious disease that can be prevented through education and knowledge, and the economic benefits of prevention are enormous. Professor Luc Montagnier, 2008 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of HIV, and Federico Mayor, ex-Director General of UNESCO, founded the World Foundation of AIDS Research and Prevention (WFARP) to encourage research in developing countries and WFARP Japan Office was founded at Osato Research Institute (ORI) in 1998 which has been engaged in preventive activities through AIDS education for children, who are the future leaders of the world.

The second possibility of preventive medicine is "FERMENTED FOOD" which has been traditionally included in Japanese daily diet. We have been conducting clinical research on FPP (Fermented Papaya Preparation) for nearly 30 years, believing that preventive medicine is the solution to reduce medical expenses in a super-aged society. FPP has been well known for many years for its "antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune regulating" effects. A series of clinical trials on diabetes have shown that FPP boosts immunity by promoting ATP production and mitochondrial activity without affecting blood glucose levels. The results of these studies led to the patent (Japan 2018), furthermore, the effect of healing chronic wounds was also reported. Considering that low glucose metabolism in the brain, due to aging may be one of the triggers of dementia since the brain's energy source is glucose, we have been focusing our research on dementia prevention; FPP reduces oxidative stress in patients with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease (PD), and has been shown to improve motor and cognitive function-related symptoms in PD. In addition, FPP was patented as Method for Treating Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) due to the research result of increasing cerebral blood flow of EHS patients and improving their clinical outcomes such as headache or loss of short-term memory (USA in 2021, Japan 2022). FPP was also patented as Composition for Elongating Telomere, which protect the ends of chromosomes and regulate the life span of cells (Japan, 2024).

The third preventive medicine is to provide "A PLACE FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS" so that they can be active even after retirement through contact with the community. In 2012, upon request of the office of Ono-town, we started "Project ORI Wine" for effective use of persimmon fields that had been abandoned due to retirement of elderly farmers. In the beginning, even a viticulture specialist from the UC Davis said it would be impossible to grow grapes, especially Pinot Noir, for Bio-wine in such a hot and humid place like Ono-town, however, we have been working hard together for our dream project. In 2019, the first wine was produced from the harvested grapes. Our project started with a 1,000 m2 vineyard, but has now grown to a 50,000 m2, while also retaining some persimmon fields. Our dream is to keep seniors healthy by involving them in our farming activity, and to use the resulting wine to support a charity for future generations.

FPP enhances the body's complex functions, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating activities, by activating Nrf2. In particular, FPP increases the expression of Nrf2 at the genetic level, which is difficult for typical antioxidants to achieve, and activates genes (HO-1, NQO1) involved in antioxidant and detoxification metabolism. This effect has been confirmed even in elderly individuals.

The effects of FPP not only helps prevent various diseases related to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation due to immune decline, but also enhances therapeutic effects when used in combination with medications. Furthermore, because FPP can be incorporated into daily life without concerns about side effects, it serves as a useful tool that contributes to reducing medical costs and improving quality of life (QOL).

We will continue our efforts to help people live independently and healthily for years to come through clinical research on FPP and collaboration with local senior communities. Maintaining driving ability, in particular, is crucial not only for the mobility of the elderly but also for their social connections, independence, brain activation, and the maintenance of their QOL - in other words, "self-sufficiency". Research aimed at providing support for the elderly is also underway. In addition to sharing information on FPP as a preventive measure for health maintenance, we aim to advance clinical research focused on the "recovery" of physical functions. We hope that our efforts will contribute to more efficient healthcare and improvement of QOL in our super-aging society.