Mune Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
＜Corporate Profile＞
Address

859 Osaki, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, 656-1501

TEL

0799-85-0107 (main number)

FAX

0799-85-1369

URL

http://kotobuki-enema.com/ (in Japanese)

No. of employees

87

Capital17 million yen

Founding

July 1947

Representative

Kazuki Nishioka＜Business Overview＞
Manufacture and sale of prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Certified as a Hyogo Only One Company in FY 2019

＜TECHNOLOGY＞

Japan’s first enema in a bellows-shaped container is a popular, easy-to-handle product withlittle residual liquid that has been developed for application anytime
Most enemas are in round containers, often referred to as a “fig”-type container. Although
this is still the most common type of enema today, these round containers cannot be1squeezed neatly and completely, so some liquid remains in the container. When we lookedat postcard questionnaires containing feedback from our customers, we found that a
number of them remarked that they felt it was a waste that some liquid remained in thecontainer and that the enema would not be as effective if all the contents were not used. We
discovered that enemas were used primarily by those in older generations and devised abellows-type of enema that would be easy for older people with less strength in their fingers
to use.
The finished Kotobuki “One Push” Enema is the first enema with a bellows-shaped container
in Japan. The bellows-shaped container of this “one-push” enema can be easily squeezed,
significantly improving the dissatisfaction felt by 60% or more users about residual liquid.
The container is easier to squeeze, which makes it easier for the elderly to use. Because thecontainer can stand upright and does not easily fall over after use, it is also popular as it canbe used hygienically.

［History of development］
Mune Pharmaceuticals also sold enemas for medical use in 1987, and launched a generalenema using a container with a long nozzle for insertion in 1991. However, it was difficult fora generic drug that was not well-known to be placed in existing sales channels, and sales
were somewhat slow. For this reason, we considered the development of an enema with abellows-shaped container that was not available in the industry that would be easy to use todifferentiate ourselves from our competitors. A hint for this idea was found by our current
president who saw an accordion on a street corner in Vienna. However, there were issues
involved in the size, shape and strength of the container before this idea could be turned
into an actual product. However, with repeated trial and error, as well as trial production incollaboration with a container manufacturer, we finally achieved the development of Japan’s
first horizontally squeezable container for the market.

［Originality］
Above all, in addition to completely differentiating our product from traditional enemas, wehave also pursued thorough simplicity of use, such as by making the insertion nozzle longer.
Also, since the product’s name was completely new, we asked our employees forsuggestions to create a novel name. One of the names we received was “hitooshi” (or “onepush”). The employees submitted their votes for all the names and the clear, first-placewinner was “one push.” At first, the name caused some bewilderment, but now it is the only
enema that includes an illustration of a mascot character, Hitooshi-kun, a rarity in2

pharmaceutical products, which may also be a reason for its popularity, so we believe thatthe name is perfect.

［Future developments］
Sales stand at 65% for over-the-counter drugs, with the remaining 35% from prescription
drugs. The popular Kotobuki “One Push” Enema 30 is currently available at drugstoresnationwide. However, Wave Nozzle “One Push” 40, which was placed on the market in 2017,
still has a low rate of recognition, and although it received the Good Design Award, thenumbers are not quite there yet.
According to the questionnaire cards, users are very satisfied with our products, and we areaiming to further increase our market share by taking advantage of the know-how we haveacquired over the years.
Our policy is to develop and sell products for the buttocks/backside in connection withenemas. At this time, we only have injection-type hemorrhoidal preparations and antiseptics,
but we plan to develop related products to expand our circle of knowledge.

＜TOPICS＞

Publication of “Mechanisms and Solutions for Constipation”
Known as the constipation doctor for outpatients and author of the book “Constipation
Issues Starting in Babies” (Gesousha), Dr. Miwako Nakano is currently a part of Kobe Gakuen
and is engaged in pediatric surgery and transplants at Kumamoto University Hospital. She
often appears on television and in newspapers to discuss constipation and other issues. We
extended an invitation to her to supervise the production of a booklet called “Mechanismsand Solutions for Constipation” for distribution at drugstores and other locations. Although
the booklet is only eight pages long, it contains detailed explanations about why people3become constipated and solutions to this problem accompanied by cute illustrations. Thisbooklet is available to anyone who would like a copy. If you come across a copy in a store,
we hope you will pick it up.

Zero overtime by developing a sense of unity in employees
Mune Pharmaceutical’s corporate motto is “sincerity and compassion.” Located in Awaji
Island, we are a company that aims to plant deep roots in the community with many of ouremployees living in the suburbs and are constantly thinking about work styles and how tomotivate and inspire our employees in ways that adapt to their lifestyles. In recent years,
along with the start of operations at new factories, members from different departments
gathered together to discuss the theme of standardizing work and submitted proposals.
With these suggestions, we are able to eliminate waste and things thought to be impossible
to achieve zero overtime for employees. One of the reasons for this is because we are usinga system for proposed improvements that we have been working on for a number of years,
and have seen results from having all employees get to know one another throughpresentations on management policies and social gatherings in which all employees
participate in every November.

＜Corporate History＞
1910

Start of pharmaceutical business at current location

1947

Establishment of Mune Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

1977

Completion of first GMP-qualified plant

1983

Joint development and launch of injectable hemorrhoid drug, Ji Nanko S

1986

Joint development and launch of injectable hemorrhoid drug, Ji Nanko High1987

Manufacturing and sale of medical glycerin enema, Mune4

1991

Launch of Kotobuki Enema L30 with long insertion nozzle (first in the industry)

1993

Sale of Kotobuki Enema 40

1994

Sale of Kotobuki Enema L40 with long insertion nozzle (first in the industry)

1995

Complete destruction of factory and three warehouses during the Great

Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
1996

Completion of second GMP-qualified factory during reconstruction after theearthquake
2002

Certification of management innovation plan

2003

Certification as Excellent Challenge Company

2005

Receipt of 2004 Hyogo Management Innovation Award Grand Prize

2006

Start of sales of new product, Kotobuki “One Push” Enema

2007

Receipt of the new customer acquisition award in the popular product category atthe “20th Hit Product/Popular Product Awards”
2008

Organization of a consultation QR site for constipation in babies, which won theUniversal Design Award at 2007 Good Design Hyogo organized by Hyogo Prefecture
2010

Memorandum of understanding exchanged with support from a children’s hospitalin Nepal and the AMDA Multisectoral & Integrated Development Services, which is listed as
one of the 100 Energetic Manufacturing Companies in Kansai in 20102012

Launch of Ji Nanko High AX, the industry’s first crystal-cut, infusion-type container

for hemorrhoids, and Ji Nanko Soft, a steroid-free injectable medication for hemorrhoids,and completed a second factory exclusively for medical use
2014

Receipt of the Hyogo Work and Life Balance Company Award. Kotobuki “One Push”

Enema received the Hyogo Prefectural Invention Association’s Chairman’s Award at the Kinki
Invention Awards
2015

Launch of “Foam Ji Care,” a foam bactericide and disinfectant to solve hemorrhoid

problems using foam
2016

Launch of premium Kotobuki “One Push” Enema 40

2019

Receipt of Good Design Award for premium Kotobuki “One Push” Enema 40 andcertification as a Hyogo Only One Company5