Abe Tomonari Interview
In this insightful interview, Abe Tomonari, CEO of Abe Yoando Pharma Co. Ltd., a company with nearly three centuries of history, and Founder of the Abe Yoan Aging Research Institute (AYARI) Foundation, shares a visionary perspective on the future of healthy aging. Blending advanced Japanese science, traditional health wisdom, and world-class hospitality, Abe outlines how longevity can shift from a distant aspiration to a practical, accessible reality. From global recognition at the XPRIZE Healthspan competition to pioneering NMN research and holistic longevity ecosystems, this conversation reveals how Japan’s legacy is shaping the next frontier of human healthspan.
Leadership Rooted in Heritage and Vision
We started the interview by asking, “Thank you for joining us. To start, could you introduce yourself and your vision in one sentence?”
Abe Tomonari replied, “Thank you. I am Abe Tomonari, CEO of Abe Yoando Pharma Co. Ltd., a company with roots dating back to 1731 and founder of the AYARI Foundation. Our vision is to bridge advanced Japanese science, traditional health wisdom, and compassionate care to create a world where people can enjoy longer, healthier, more vibrant lives.”
Global Recognition
The Worlds Times: Your Company recently advanced to the semifinals of the XPRIZE Healthspan competition. What does this achievement mean for Abe Yoando Pharma Co. Ltd.?
Abe Tomonari replied, “We are incredibly honored that our team was selected among the top 40 global semifinalists out of around 600 entries in the XPRIZE Healthspan competition; a world-leading challenge aimed at extending healthspan and reversing aspects of aging. This recognition demonstrates that Japan’s research and innovation, anchored in our NMN research and rigorous scientific collaboration, has global relevance and scientific credibility.”
Redefining Aging through Innovation
The Worlds Times: Can you explain what XPRIZE Healthspan challenges participants to achieve?
Abe Tomonari replied, “XPRIZE Healthspan isn’t just about extending life; it’s about making healthier years possible. The challenge is to demonstrate interventions that can reverse functional decline such as in muscle strength, cognition, and immune resilience by a decade or more in human clinical evaluation. It represents the future of aging science, where aging becomes a controllable, modifiable biological process.”
Japan’s Longevity Advantage
The Worlds Times: Japanese society has one of the world’s longest life expectancies. How does that context inspire your work?
Abe Tomonari replied, “Japan’s demographic profile with a rapidly aging population makes longevity more than a scientific mission it’s a societal imperative. We believe longevity should mean healthy, active, and fulfilling years, not merely longer ones. Our journey began as a traditional herbal and supplement maker; now we engage deeply in innovation that combines Japanese scientific excellence with global research alliances.”
The Abe Yoan Aging Research Institute (AYARI) Foundation
The Worlds Times: What is the AYARI Foundation, and how does it fit into your mission?
Abe Tomonari replied, “The AYARI Foundation embodies our long-range strategy to transform longevity from science fiction into accessible reality. It has three pillars:
- Longevity Clinic: A first-of-its-kind medical center in Japan offering advanced diagnostics, personalized aging risk profiling, and evidence-based longevity interventions drawing from leading research.
- Longevity Retreat: A restorative, community-oriented space where holistic wellness including nutrition, movement, and mental resilience aligns with longevity science and Japanese hospitality traditions.
- Research Laboratory: A dedicated R&D hub collaborating with top Japanese universities and institutions to explore cutting-edge aging biology, biomarker discovery, and novel therapies.
The Foundation connects centuries of heritage with 21st-century science to reduce the gap between aging research and human health span outcomes.”
Omotenashi Meets Medical Excellence
The Worlds Times: Japanese hospitality is globally renowned. How does that influence the AYARI Foundation’s approach?
Abe Tomonari replied, “The Japanese concept of omotenashi, or heartfelt hospitality, shapes everything we do. Longevity is not only about technology; it’s about human experience, trust, and support. Our clinic and retreat environments are designed to be places of warmth, dignity, and empowerment where people feel cared for on every level while receiving world-class medical and wellness services.”
Science through Collaboration
The Worlds Times: You mention collaboration with universities, what role do these partnerships play?
Abe Tomonari replied, “Collaboration is essential. Our participation in XPRIZE involves joint work with leading academics and clinicians, and we are expanding those partnerships to broaden clinical trial infrastructure and translational research. These collaborations accelerate rigorous evidence generation and help translate findings into real-world care.”
Scientific Integrity in the NMN Space
The Worlds Times: The NMN supplement space has many players. How do you maintain scientific credibility?
Abe Tomonari replied, “We were pioneers in NMN research in Japan, and our work was instrumental in securing regulatory acceptance for NMN as a food ingredient based on safety and impact data. We view NMN not as a magic pill, but as one building block of a comprehensive longevity strategy. All our products and research must meet rigorous scientific standards, and we invest in clinical evaluation and academic collaboration to ensure credibility and real benefit.”
The Five-Year Vision
The Worlds Times: Looking forward, what would success look like for the AYARI Foundation in five years?
Abe Tomonari replied, “In five years, we aim to have:
- Operational Longevity Clinic and Retreat serving both domestic and global clients
- Published evidence from university-partnered trials validating interventions that improve aging biomarkers
- A thriving R&D pipeline advancing next-generation therapies and digital health solutions for healthy aging
- Community impact programs empowering individuals with actionable, science-based longevity strategies
Our vision is to make longevity accessible and meaningful, transforming how society approaches aging from reactive care to proactive life enhancement.”
A Message to the World
Lastly we asked, “What final message would you like to share?”
“Longevity is not just longer life; it is better life. We are committed to integrating Japan’s deep cultural respect for health with world-class science to contribute to a global shift in how aging is understood and treated. Humanity deserves not just more years, but healthier and more vibrant ones and that is the mission we pursue every day.” Abe Tomonari concluded
Connect with Tomonari Abe on LinkedIn
For more information visit Abe Yoando Pharma Co. Ltd.
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