Wellness brand "Yu Yan Sun" arrives in Japan for the first time, proposing self-care habits that cultivate "vital origins."

Background

While the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked increased interest in "self-medication"—the daily practice of maintaining one's well-being—and in preventative care and early intervention, the number of people experiencing severe anxiety or stress has increased by approximately 1.3 times compared to 10 years ago, and the number of people feeling sleep-deprived has increased by approximately 1.6 times. This data suggests that a situation is spreading where people are experiencing stress but finding it difficult to get sufficient rest through sleep.
In situations like these, we believe that individualized approaches such as "one symptom, one treatment" are not always sufficient, and that a more comprehensive approach to self-care that addresses one's overall daily condition is becoming increasingly important.

The market for traditional medicines and herbs is expanding globally, and in Japan, the need to incorporate natural materials into daily life is also growing. As a result, the importance of "food" in the area of preventative healthcare is increasing more than ever before.

• The number of people experiencing "high levels of anxiety and stress at work" has increased 1.3 times. * Occupational safety and health Survey (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
  The percentage of people who answered that they "experience strong anxiety, worries, or stress related to their work" increased from 52.3% in 2013 to 68.3% in 2024 (latest).
• The number of people who say they are not getting enough rest through sleep has increased 1.6 times. *National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
  The percentage of people who answered "I don't get enough sleep, or I don't get enough sleep at all" increased from 15.6% in 2012 to 25.0% in 2023 (latest).

"Nurturing the Vital Origin (the source of life force)"

Vital Origin is a philosophy that utilizes the life-sustaining power (nutrients) inherent in ingredients to nourish a person's vitality (body).
Instead of "dealing with symptoms after they appear," Vital Origin proposes a way to regulate your own condition by "consuming the whole" of ingredients, like a spring bubbling up from within. Vital Origin offers a condition-building approach suited to the lifestyles of today's people.

“Yojinsei Cordyceps sinensis” product features

1. 

   Quality and Sustainability: Uses mycelium with 99% genetic similarity to that from the high mountains of Tibet. *2 This ensures both stable quality and sustainable production.

   Cordyceps is a type of fungus that grows by parasitizing insects, and there are over 400 different species.
   Among them, Cordyceps sinensis, which grows by parasitizing the giant ghost moth that inhabits the Tibetan high mountains at altitudes exceeding 3,000 meters, has been used since ancient times for its nourishing and invigorating properties and for maintaining vitality.
   This product contains Cordyceps sinensis from the high mountains of Tibet and 99% *2 Genetic similarity Hirstella sinensis mycelium We use [specific technology/method]. Our cultivation techniques, unaffected by natural environmental factors, ensure consistent quality.

   *2: KoY-F,Liau JC, Lee CS, Chiu CY, Martel J, Lin CS, et al. (2017) Isolation, Culture and Characterization of Hirsutella sinensis Mycelium from Caterpillar Fungus Fruiting Body. PLoS ONE 12(1): e0168734.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168734

2. Easy to continue taking: One capsule per day (recommended dosage), containing 100% Cordyceps sinensis powder.

   These are 100% Cordyceps powder capsules that can be easily incorporated into your daily life, with a recommended dosage of one capsule per day.
   This product is designed to be easy to continue using for those who want to live a healthy, vibrant life while staying true to themselves.

3. Thorough quality control: From raw material procurement to product development and manufacturing, everything is produced under strict quality control.

Future developments: From daily dietary practices to proposing a gift-giving culture that shows consideration for health.

"Yu Yan Sheng Cordyceps" is the first product launched under the Yu Yan Sheng brand in Japan.
We recruited a group of early adopters in Japan, and approximately 6,500 people tried the product for about a month. We received a lot of positive feedback, with many saying they wanted to continue using it as a habit.
Sales will begin in March 2026 on the Rohto online site and e-commerce sites. We will propose a new value proposition to a wide range of generations who find it difficult to take time to reflect on their own well-being due to busyness and stress. This new value proposition involves nurturing "Vital Origin" through diverse points of contact such as ingredients, food experiences, and a healthy lifestyle.
Furthermore, just like the culture of "giving the gift of health" that Yu Yang San has cherished, we aim for this to naturally spread not only to self-care but also to actions that show consideration for family and friends.

Product overview

Product name	Yu Yansheng (Cordyceps sinensis)
image
classification	Health supplements (Cordyceps sinensis powder processed food)
How to eat	Take one tablet per day with water or another beverage without chewing. (Avoid excessive intake and adhere to the recommended daily amount.)
Capacity and price	30 tablets, 7,020 yen (tax included)
Sales channels	Rohto online site, e-commerce site
Release date	March 2026 (Limited release in some areas starting in January)

About Us

Yu Yan-sheng

Founded in 1879, with the philosophy of "Caring for mankind," we are one of Southeast Asia's largest healthcare companies, primarily operating in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. *1​
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has developed as a traditional Chinese medicine system, passed down through generations as wisdom for health maintenance tailored to the seasons and individual constitutions. Yu Yang Sang has expertise in operating TCM clinics, developing herbal products, and delivering the culture of dietary health maintenance adapted to modern life, earning strong trust as a natural and wellness brand in Southeast Asia. In addition to one's own health, they also cherish and cultivate a culture of "giving health as a gift."

Rohto Pharmaceutical

Our company was founded with gastrointestinal medicines, and for a long time we have been close to the health of consumers in the oral medication field. Furthermore, we have launched a full-scale food business under the banner of "a pharmaceutical company that does not rely on drugs," and are strengthening value creation from the perspective of ingredients, science, and consumers.

We resonated with Yu Yang San's philosophy and welcomed them to the Rohto Group in 2024. By combining Yu Yang San's wisdom and trust in traditional materials with Rohto's understanding of science and lifestyle culture, we will work towards realizing well-being in the coming era.

Related releases

• April 3, 2024
  Acquisition of shares in Eu Yan Sang International Ltd., a Singaporean manufacturer and distributor of traditional Chinese medicine (making it a subsidiary), and commencement of a tender offer for its shares.