A Japanese Pharmacy Company’s Creative and Humorous Health Magazines

The Spring 2015 issue focuses on the topic of headaches, and features a masked wrestler putting an office worker in a headlock

On a Semi-annual basis Japanese pharmacy company Aisei publishes a magazine called Health Graphic Magazine. The issues, which come out usually three times a year, are focused on a specific topic. They’re not long – usually around 23 pages – but utilize a wide array of creative methods that make it a joy and pleasure to learn about lack of sleep, sinus infections, stress, or whichever topic they happen to be focusing on.

The covers are also spectacular, and often feature a single, humorous image that makes you want to pick up the magazine and flip through it. The latest – the Spring 2015 issue – focuses on the topic of headaches, and features a masked wrestler putting an office worker in a headlock.

page 2-3 of the “Headache” issue. All issues are available as free downloads.

a checklist to help you diagnose the cause of your headache

a gorgeous layout featuring foods (combined with text) that help ease headaches

“Health begins with taking an interest in our bodies,” writes the magazine’s editors, laying out the premise of their entire project, which began in 2010. In Japan there’s a curious word known as ichibyousokusai (一病息災). It basically means that those who experience an ailment become more health-conscious and end up living longer than someone who’s never been sick.

“No matter how advanced medicine becomes, it’s hard to stay perfectly healthy.” But by focusing on specific ailments, and educating people on their treatments and ways to prevent them, the company believes they can help people lead healthier, better lives.

All the back-issues are available here as free downloads.

(all quotes translated from Japanese to English by author)