Second Installment of Popular "Brain Activity for Fun" Event: "Great Books Reading Challenge" Featuring 100 Award-Winning Masterpieces to Be Held at 11 Sanseido Bookstores

Key visual for the "7-Day Great Books Reading Challenge"

Sanseido Book Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) and Suntory Wellness Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo) will hold the second "Great Books Reading Challenge," titled "2026 Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize (Award-Winning Works) Recommended Masterpieces Edition," starting Wednesday, July 1, 2026, following the success of the "Great Books Reading Challenge" held in April 2026.

This project focuses on 100 books selected by Sanseido Bookstore from past award-winning works, coinciding with the announcement of the Akutagawa and Naoki Prizes scheduled for Wednesday, July 15. It is a project designed to enjoyably engage with brain health alongside classic award-winning literary works that have been loved by many readers.

This project is part of Suntory Wellness's "Otona no Nōkatsu Club" (Adult Brain Activity Club), a community initiative to learn about and experience "things good for the brain" in a fun way. It focuses on the research that "reading is good for the brain" (Source 2) in line with the goal of "building a brain that enjoys life" promoted by "Omega Aid PLUS (Omega Aid Plus)," the No. 1 supplement in the cognitive function support market (Source 1).

*1 Source: HB Foods Marketing Handbook 2026 Functional Foods Edition (Cognitive Function Support Internal Share *2024 Sales Amount (Final)) Fuji Keizai Co., Ltd.

*2 Source: Int Psychogeriatr. 2021 33:63-74.

Special Booth on the 1st Floor of Sanseido Bookstore Kanda Jinbocho Main Store

About the "Great Books Reading Challenge 2026 Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize (Award-Winning Works) Recommended Masterpieces Edition"

➢ Implementation Period: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Monday, August 31, 2026

➢ Locations: Sanseido Bookstore Kanda Jinbocho Main Store, Yurakucho Store, Kyodo Store, Seijo Store, Ikebukuro Main Store, Atre Akihabara 1, Tokyo Solamachi Store, Atre Ueno Store, Ebina Store, Omiya Store, Sogo Chiba Store

➢ Target Works: 100 masterpieces selected by Sanseido Bookstore from past Akutagawa Prize and Naoki Prize winning works.

For the "Great Books Reading Challenge," customers in the "adult generation" who purchase the target works will receive a kit containing a 7-day supply of the supplement "Omega Aid PLUS," formulated with nutrients beneficial for the brain, and a challenge calendar to help them enjoy reading for seven days.

Whether rereading past award-winning masterpieces or discovering a new book inspired by the award-winning works of summer 2026, participants can enjoy and experience "things good for the brain" by continuing to read and take the supplement for seven days.

Image of the "Great Books Reading Challenge" leaflet (Turning over the "Omega Aid PLUS" pouch reveals fun trivia about "things good for the brain")

Customer Feedback from the April 2026 Implementation

The "Great Books Reading Challenge" held in April 2026 received many positive responses from customers regarding their experience of engaging in "things good for the brain" alongside reading.

In a post-event survey, approximately 90% of participants responded that they "felt closer to brain health measures," and 100% responded that they "want to continue reading in the future." Additionally, comments such as "The 7-day period provided an opportunity to continue reading," "It was a chance to encounter great books I wouldn't normally pick up," and "I was able to engage in brain activity while having fun" were received.

Background of the Initiative

- Sanseido Book Co., Ltd.

At Sanseido Bookstore, we believe that one of the joys of a bookstore is encountering new books and experiences. Our Kanda Jinbocho Main Store, which reopened after renovations on Thursday, March 19, 2026, was designed with the concept of "A bookstore where the world expands as you walk," not just to sell books, but to provide new encounters and experiences for customers. In today's era, where people are said to live to 100, we are collaborating with Suntory Wellness, which promotes "things good for the brain," to ensure that people can continue to enjoy reading throughout their lives. We aim to connect customers with books and, beyond that, with services and products.

- Suntory Wellness Ltd.

Suntory Wellness aims to promote "things good for the brain" that are accessible and enjoyable for everyone, and to encourage society to approach brain health with a positive and enjoyable attitude, as interest in brain function grows with the aging population. We are implementing this initiative in collaboration with the historic Sanseido Bookstore to expand our proposals for "things good for the brain" through reading.

What is "Otona no Nōkatsu Club"?

This is a community initiative that allows adults to continue challenging themselves in enjoyable ways, learning about and experiencing "things good for the brain." Suntory Wellness, which has been researching for over 40 years and offers the supplement "Omega Aid PLUS" formulated with five key intellectual nutrients, has been promoting this initiative since July 2025 in collaboration with various companies and organizations. Through activities that promote brain health and well-being, such as reading and Mahjong, it contributes to improving quality of life by engaging with "things good for the brain" in a fun way.

What is "Omega Aid PLUS"?

"Omega Aid PLUS"

"Omega Aid PLUS," born from Suntory's long-standing brain research, is a supplement formulated with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and ARA (arachidonic acid), which are essential fats for brain function, along with the antioxidant components lutein and zeaxanthin. These five ingredients have been reported to help maintain memory (the ability to recall and remember) (Functional claim). Furthermore, DHA, EPA, and ARA support the maintenance of attention and a positive mood (Source 3). Since its launch in 2011, it has surpassed 20 million cumulative units shipped (Source 4) and is a beloved supplement, ranking No. 1 in sales in the cognitive function support market.

*3 Research report on functional ingredients

*4 Cumulative shipments since launch in 2011, as of the end of 2025 (calculated based on 180 capsules per bottle)

Functional Display: DHA, EPA, ARA (arachidonic acid) contained in this product, along with lutein and zeaxanthin, which have antioxidant effects, have been reported to help maintain memory (the ability to recall and remember), which is part of the cognitive function of healthy older adults. DHA, EPA, and ARA are reported to be useful for maintaining attention (the ability to quickly notice important things and pay attention to multiple things) and a positive mood (such as mental clarity and vigor) in healthy older adults.

Contact for Inquiries: Sanseido Book Co., Ltd. Sales Promotion Department: Kano (03-3233-3327, [email protected]) Suntory Wellness Ltd. Corporate Planning Department: Okuyama (070-3799-2735, [email protected])