Lymphedema Awareness Campaign: Publication Commemorative Event Held to Improve Public Understanding of Lymphedema, “Understanding Lymphedema Through Manga”; Special Lecture by Entertainer Chiaki Hara Medical Corporation Micro Association Press Release: October 2, 2025 To Members of the Media Awareness campaign to raise awareness of lymphedema: Event held to commemorate publication of “Understanding Lymphedema through Manga” with special lecture by entertainer Chiaki Hara Lymphedema, which develops as an aftereffect of cancer treatment, is said to affect hundreds of thousands of people in Japan, yet is not well known among the general public. Even in the medical field, it is often outside the specialist field, leaving patients unable to access appropriate information. To address these issues, Ginza Repro Surgery, a medical corporation affiliated with Micro-Kai, held a publication commemorative event for “Understanding Lymphedema through Manga” (author: Keiko Mitsui, supervisor: Koichi Nagao), which explains lymphedema in an easy-to-understand manga format, at the Four Seasons Hotel Marunouchi on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 7:00 PM.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-1aefd3672d23c460cb1762f35195cca1-1716×978.png Left) Dr. Koichi Nagao, Right) Entertainer Chiaki Hara Chiaki Hara, representative of the “Yotsuba no Kai” group and an entertainer, spoke at this event. After battling cancer twice in her 30s, she later developed lymphedema. She spoke about the pain and struggles she experienced during treatment, and the importance of connecting with others who have experienced the same thing. Hara reflected, “I had heard about lymphedema beforehand from fellow members of the patient association, so although I was surprised when it actually developed 10 years later, I was prepared for it.” Furthermore, regarding the newly published manga book, she commented, “I think it’s a great initiative. I hope it reaches many people.” As the representative of the patient association, she emphasized the importance of knowing in advance based on her own experience, and expressed her hope that accurate
information will be spread throughout society. Talk session with patients Patients with upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery and lower limb lymphedema after uterine cancer surgery took the stage. The lack of information about lymphedema became apparent, with comments such as, “I didn’t think much of the swelling, but I never thought it would turn into lymphedema,” and “My cancer doctor didn’t know about lymphedema. I looked it up online and found Ginza Repro Surgery.” Why Keiko Mitsui Published Her Manga
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-376120ee8337479547654dba98de19a4-1763×959.png Keiko Mitsui, author of “Understanding Lymphedema through Manga”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-f084bdc34edd6004d0a3fc4151f640c9-3900×2605.jpg Keiko Mitsui, author of “Understanding Lymphedema through Manga” Author and Ginza Repro Surgery Director Keiko Mitsui spoke
passionately about the background to writing “Understanding Lymphedema through Manga.” Lymphedema is still not well known among the general public. It’s difficult for patients to find appropriate information. Even cancer doctors consider it outside their field, so she wondered if there was a way to make lymphedema more accessible and simple. With this in mind, she felt that “something that can be read by both children and adults is needed,” and so she launched the manga book. Lecture on lymphedema by a specialist
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-2277458f93b319a5954756a49533411a-1711×979.png Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital Dr. Tsune Sakuma, Department of Plastic Surgery Dr. Tsune Sakuma, Department of Plastic Surgery at Ichikawa General Hospital, Tokyo Dental College, provides a detailed explanation of lymphedema. “It’s urgent to spread accurate information. It’s good that manga can make information easier to understand,” he commented. In addition, the publication event for “Understanding Lymphedema through Manga” was attended by Dr. Koichi Nagao, the book’s supervisor, as well as other specialists and doctors. • Dr. Shinsuke Akita (Associate Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine) • Dr. Yuji Suzuki (Keio University Hospital, Department of Plastic Surgery) • Dr. Tsune Sakuma (Director of Plastic Surgery, Tokyo Dental University Ichikawa General Hospital) • Takahiro Oyama, Physical Therapist (NTT East Kanto Hospital, Rehabilitation Medicine
Department) Background to the development of “Lymph Slim” compression stockings
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-9527c8fc14014b3648f880b701a84863-1777×955.png Keiko Mitsui explains about “Lymph Slim” compression stockings.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-956c02ddbdb0955733037066e6ac562d-3900×2605.jpg The compression stockings “Lymph Slim” were released in September 2025. After a family member’s experience with illness, author Keiko Mitsui decided she had to create something herself, and began developing the compression stockings “Lymph Slim.” With the launch of lymphedema products, Ginza Repro Surgery now offers an even wider range of options in addition to surgical treatment (lymphaticovenous anastomosis, LVA) and conservative treatment, making it possible to provide customized treatment tailored to each individual patient. “Cinderella Slim” Debut and a Moving Experience
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-9b22b87015504651edfc84423c6be392-1280×963.jpg Chiaki Hara walking in Cinderella Slim
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-e7b3b01dfd181dba96c8b50143f95747-3900×2605.jpg “Cinderella Slim,” a shoe specifically designed for lymphedema, will also be released in September 2025. We explained how proper walking directly improves the quality of life of lymphedema patients and provided walking instruction. We also invited the patient who inspired the development of the “Cinderella Slim” lymphedema shoe to try it on. “Until now, I had trouble finding shoes that fit, and my toes would turn purple, but these slipped on easily. They’re so light,” said the customer, crying tears of joy. The participants were deeply moved by his expression. Organizer’s Comment Koichi Nagao, Director of Ginza Repro Surgery Clinic / Professor Emeritus, Toho University Doctor
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-8921ff2f07a459fe6dcd7bbc07e4ae1d-700×964.png Dr. Koichi Nagao, Director of Ginza Repro Surgery Clinic / Professor Emeritus, Toho University “Lymphedema is a disease that plagues many patients as a side effect of cancer treatment, yet it remains poorly known among the general public, and understanding of the disease is limited beyond specialists. This manga book is a major step toward informing not only patients and their families, but also medical professionals and society as a whole, that lymphedema exists. We hope that spreading accurate knowledge will lead to early detection and appropriate treatment for more patients.” Author / Director, Micro-Kai Medical Corporation, Mitsui Medical Japan Co., Ltd. Representative Director Keiko Mitsui
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-1b237558bdd7637cc375cf12e0d8ff8a-569×637.png Keiko Mitsui, Director, Micro-Kai Medical Corporation, Representative Director, Mitsui Medical Japan Co., Ltd. “I’ve heard many times from patients that they didn’t know about this and that they wish they’d known about it sooner. That’s why, instead of a complex medical book, I made this book into a manga that even elementary school students can understand. I hope this book will help patients avoid suffering alone and encourage their families and those around them to understand the disease together. I believe that knowing about lymphedema will bring peace of mind and be the first step toward accepting treatment and care in a positive way.” “Understanding Lymphedema through Manga” Book Information
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/154150/12/154150-12-9d5efdd5a211ad03ab452f243e01c7c5-737×1059.png “Understanding Lymphedema through Manga” ~A Breast Cancer and Uterine Cancer Survivor’s Story of Overcoming Lymphedema~ Author: Keiko Mitsui (Director, Micro-Kai Medical Corporation) Supervised by: Koichi Nagao (Director of Ginza Repro Surgery Clinic / Professor Emeritus, Toho University) : Ginza Repro Surgery Clinic, Micro-Kai Medical Corporation ISBN: 9784910837925 Release date: Monday, September 29, 2025 URL: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4910837922/ About Keiko Mitsui, Director of Micro Medical Corporation and Representative Director of Mitsui Medical Japan Co., Ltd. Born into a family of business owners, she lived abroad and married at the age of 22. She raised her children in Hawaii. There, she encountered illnesses that many women suffer from during pregnancy and childbirth, and because treatment options were limited, she began developing medical devices. In 2006, she founded a medical device manufacturing and sales company, and is involved in the development, manufacturing, and sales of products specifically for women. She also serves as a director of the medical corporation Micro-Kai, where she runs a clinic for couples struggling with infertility and women suffering from lymphedema. She also runs the YouTube channel “Lymphedema Advisor.” Micro Medical Corporation Overview Name: Ginza Repro Surgery Clinic, Micro Medical Corporation Address: 6F FPG Links GINZA, 2-8-19 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Established: March 5, 2019 Objective: Development and dissemination of microsurgery, development of medical personnel Main Activities: Male infertility treatment using microsurgery, and treatment of lymphedema after breast cancer and gynecological cancer surgery URL:
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