Iwata Pokka Foods’ Health Management Initiatives

To prevent mental health issues before they arise and foster a vibrant workplace, Iwata Pokka Foods aimed for a 100% response rate in the stress check. The company provided guidance explaining the reasons for the check and offered support to those less comfortable with computer work, ensuring everyone completed their responses. Additionally, by setting reminders one week before, three days before, and on the day of the response deadline to raise awareness about completing it without delay, the company has achieved a 100% response rate every year.

In response to recurring comments in the annual in-house survey about dissatisfaction with supervisors or the company, and communication gaps between managers and subordinates, Iwata Pokka Foods initiated 1-on-1 meetings starting in 2022. Conducting at least four sessions per person annually, these meetings have proven effective as a platform to check on employees' health status, concerns, and issues they may be facing. Additionally, starting around the same time, increased opportunities for internal communication—such as company events and community outreach activities—provided chances for employees to find people within the company with whom they could talk, regardless of department or position. Employees now find it easier to build relationships where they can consult with others more comfortably than before. As a result, survey scores for support from others, support from supervisors, and support from coworkers have been able to maintain high levels. In 2026, the company aims to achieve a deviation score of 52 for support from others.

While aiming for a 100% cancer screening rate as a health management goal, the 2022 cancer screening rate was 54%. To prevent a decline in screening participation among employees lacking health awareness, Iwata Pokka Foods conducted a survey in 2023 regarding their level of interest in health matters. Approximately 90% of employees expressed interest in health, but only 60% were taking action to improve their health. This indicates that while employees are interested in health, some are not taking the necessary actions. The company held health study sessions and conveyed the importance of understanding one's own health status, along with undergoing regular health checkups and cancer screenings. At that time, lectures were given on how to schedule cancer screenings, and ongoing efforts were maintained afterward. Thanks to these efforts, a 100% screening rate was achieved in 2023. The company continued its efforts afterward, and discussions about health screenings began to arise in conversations among employees. As a result, a 100% screening rate was achieved again in 2024.

Additionally, gynecological screening, which employees previously showed little interest in, saw their participation rate increase starting in 2023 after managers attended health study sessions and actively encouraged participation in gynecological screening. This resulted in a rate significantly exceeding the target of 50%. In 2025, the company observed employees' voluntary actions, but as of August, only 50% of appointments were completed. This indicates that the company has not yet succeeded in establishing the practice of regular gynecological screening. Iwata Pokka Foods will continue its efforts and aims for a 100% screening rate again this year. Furthermore, the company will share and instill the understanding that such activities contribute to improving health literacy and form the foundation for stable corporate operations.

• Individuals who are unable to undergo screening alone, and those with unavoidable circumstances such as pregnancy, are excluded.

Iwata Pokka Foods will provide opportunities for employees to share knowledge about smoking—which directly impacts their own and others' health—and to reflect on the issue. This initiative aims to encourage employees to seek answers and support their efforts to quit smoking. At the same time, the company will reevaluate its approach to monitoring smoking within the workplace and providing designated smoking areas, with a focus on health management.

The examination rate among employees instructed to undergo follow-up examinations or reexaminations based on health checkup results is 100%. However, few employees take action to address the underlying causes that led to these results, and the majority of examinees are identified as having findings in the same health checkup items every year.
Indeed, while encouraging employees to undergo follow-up examinations or reexaminations, the company has inadvertently made them think that going (or having gone) for a reexamination would be good enough. Consequently, it has failed to effectively promote health awareness among employees. Iwata Pokka Foods will work collectively to clearly define the objectives of health checkups, communicate them throughout the organization, and systematically enhance health knowledge and awareness among employees.

There were zero accidents in FY2024, but one incident occurred in 2025. To achieve zero accidents, Iwata Pokka Foods will raise awareness of the Age-Friendly Guidelines and conduct locomotor function checks.