August 14, 2009
20th Annual Outdoor Concert Held at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Tokushima Wajiki Factory
Exciting Summer in Wajiki ’09 on August 13, 2009
Tokyo, Japan--Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President and Representative Director: Taro Iwamoto) hosted the 20th annual “Exciting Summer in Wajiki” live music event on Thursday, August 13, 2009. Sponsored in conjunction with Tairyuji Ropeway, Exciting Summer in Wajiki ‘09 was held on the outdoor stage at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Tokushima Wajiki Factory.
The memorial 20th annual Exciting Summer in Wajiki ’09 featured popular artists Yuko Ando, ikimono-gakari, GIRL NEXT DOOR, and Hi-Fi CAMP, with tamurapan, moumoon, and jealkb as opening acts on the outdoor stage surrounded by the hilly park-like environs of the Tokushima Wajiki Factory. Approximately 8,000 music lovers from near and far began arriving at the venue in the early morning, and the cheering crowd of young people and families generated an air of excitement that virtually vaporized the large drops of rain that began to fall shortly after performances began. Factory production lines were also opened to the public, and visitors were able to tour the facility and view the production of Calorie Mate, a balanced diet food. A photo exhibit of musicians who have appeared during the 20-year history of the Exciting Summer in Wajiki event was also on display.
Organized in partnership with local businesses with the goal of revitalizing and contributing to community development, Exciting Summer in Wajiki was first held at the Tokushima Wajiki Factory in 1990. For its 20-year history, the festival has featured 80 promising young groups and artists, and welcomed more than 280,000 spectators, becoming an established popular mid-summer event.
The Tokushima Wajiki Factory was conceived as a factory park, integrated with its community and its surroundings. The facility includes an outdoor stage surrounded by greenery and a large, open space accented with artwork that is a popular gathering place for local residents. As part of efforts to preserve the natural environment, volunteers from Tokushima Wajiki Factory cooperate with members of the Naka-cho Junior Chamber of Commerce and Industry in regular clean-ups along the banks of the Nakagawa River and in and around local camping areas as part of local ‘adopt-a-river’* activities.
*Adopt-a-River: Participating organizations in designated areas engage in clean up and beautification efforts along the Nakagawa River.
Based on its corporate philosophy of ‘Otsuka - People creating new products for better health worldwide’, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is dedicated to contributing to the health of people around the world.
