Linked to frailty and decreased organ function, "Ectopic Fat" is a new concept:
Rohto Group promotes understanding and dissemination of information through its ectopic fat project site, "Team Ectopic Fat by MGP".
December 1, 2025
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, President and Representative Director: Hidetoshi Segi) is promoting research on the properties and functionality of materials in order to realize the Rohto Group's comprehensive management vision, "Connect for Well-being." MG MG Pharma Inc., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, President and CEO: Yasuo Sumida, hereinafter "MG Pharma"), a group company, has been promoting research on Metap® (globin protein hydrolysate), a Rohto Group proprietary material, for over 30 years.
We are pleased to announce the launch of "Team Ectopic Fat by MGP" (https://ishosei-shibou.com/), an information dissemination site aimed at promoting understanding and raising awareness of ectopic fat, a new health risk that is attracting attention, as a social issue. Based on the results of our research, we will work together as a group to spread correct understanding, promote daily preventive actions, and accelerate collaborative research and development.
Background
While subcutaneous and visceral fat have traditionally been the main types of fat, a third type of fat, "ectopic fat," is gaining attention as a cross-organ health risk. Fat that is not used as energy accumulates in places where it "shouldn't normally be," such as muscles, liver, heart, pancreas, and kidneys. It is involved in the decline of function and chronic inflammation of each organ, and has been suggested to be linked to a wide range of diseases, including frailty, sarcopenia, infertility, cognitive impairment, and mental health problems. This is a cross-organ risk that cannot be fully understood by visceral fat alone, which is indirectly involved in lifestyle-related diseases, and the current situation where consumers cannot take appropriate preventive actions due to fragmented information and misunderstandings is a challenge.
We have launched a special website to promote a correct understanding of ectopic fat, which we now refer to as the "third type of fat," and to disseminate information that leads to preventive actions in collaboration with consumers and industry-academia partners.
Overview and features of the special website
- "What is ectopic fat?" This introductory content uses diagrams and Q&A to organize the basics.
- The "Ectopic Fat Journal" updates with the latest findings on ectopic fat.
- Research information is consolidated in the "Ectopic Fat Lab." Papers and data are presented.
- We are clearly seeking partners for collaborative research and development. We have established a contact point for collaboration with companies and research institutions.
Related measures
Seminar/Lecture
In connection with this initiative, I plan to give a presentation at the "Medical and Health Osaka Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Forum 2026" with the aim of promoting a correct understanding of ectopic fat and facilitating research collaboration.
Medical and Health Osaka Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Forum 2026
Date and time: Tuesday, January 27, 2020 14:25-15:15
New research and development developments in Saito: "Challenging the elimination of ectopic fat with the functional material Metap®!"
Yasuo Sumida, Representative Director, MG Pharma Inc.
Media integration targeting consumers
Issue 63 of "Taiyo Egao fufufu" (published December 1st), published by Rohto Pharmaceutical, will feature a cover story that examines the importance of exercise from the perspective of "ectopic fat."
What is Taiyou Egao fufufu?
Rohto Pharmaceutical's consumer-oriented media outlet delivers easy-to-understand information on health, beauty, and lifestyle, staying close to the daily lives of consumers. Through its magazine (published four times a year), website, and social media, it introduces the latest knowledge and self-care tips in a gentle and easy-to-understand style. "Taiyo Egao fufufu" continuously publishes content with the hope that the small tips it delivers will lead to smiles tomorrow.
URL: https://fufufu.rohto.co.jp/ (This special feature is scheduled to be published online in early December.)
- "Metap" is a registered trademark of MG Pharma Inc.