#Japan #Tokyo #Child Protection #Traffic Safety #Kokumin Kyosai

The 7-Year-Old Road Safety Project

The Kokumin Kyosai Coop (National Workers' Cooperative Union), under the leadership of President Akihito Uchikoshi, is committed to ensuring the safety of children as part of its initiatives. Recently, the organization has made significant strides with its '7-Year-Old Road Safety Project,' through which it has donated an impressive total of 232,893 traffic safety flags to elementary schools and children’s centers nationwide. This brings the total number of donated flags to over 1.79 million, including collaborations with characters like Pit-kun and Kousuke.

On October 30, 2025, a donation ceremony took place at Nakano Ward's Saginomori Elementary School in Tokyo. The event wasn't just about the distribution of flags; it also included a vital discussion on children's traffic safety, highlighting the project’s comprehensive approach.

Importance of Traffic Safety in Daily Life

The principal of Saginomori Elementary, Naotaka Takechi, emphasized the crucial importance of traffic safety in a school located near a busy station. During peak hours, the area experiences heavy traffic from commuting cyclists, making the need for effective safety measures paramount. The school actively collaborates with the community, including parents and local residents, to supervise children during their journeys to and from school. The newly donated flags play a significant role in enhancing the safety infrastructure of the area.

Takechi also noted that educating children about traffic rules is a critical component of these safety efforts. It's not solely the responsibility of the parents; the entire community shares the duty of instilling a strong sense of traffic consciousness in children. The '7-Year-Old Road Safety Project' stands out for integrating educational tools like the '7-Year-Old Traffic Safety Map' and online lessons with its flag donation initiatives, making it an invaluable program.

Understanding the Scope of the Problem

Children around the age of seven are at particular risk for traffic accidents due to their lower line of sight and developing attention skills. Data from the National Traffic Accident Analysis Center indicates alarming statistics, showing that the rate of traffic fatalities in young children far exceeds that of adults. In response to these findings, the Kokumin Kyosai Coop initiated the '7-Year-Old Road Safety Project' in January 2019, focused on reducing traffic accidents involving young children.

Key Initiatives of the Project

1. Donation of Flags: Starting in June 2020, a unique initiative was launched whereby for each inquiry related to 'My Car Mutual Aid,' a safety flag would be donated. So far, this initiative has successfully provided more than 1.79 million flags to local schools and children's centers.

2. Collaboration with Kanazawa University: Since November 2019, the organization has been conducting joint research with Kanazawa University, focusing on the behavior and perspectives of seven-year-olds, leading to actionable strategies for enhancing child safety.

3. Publication of Hazard Maps: The project has developed a 'My Town’s 7-Year-Old Traffic Safety Hazard Map' to inform families and schools about previous accidents and potential hazards, encouraging community involvement in safety measures.

4. Establishing 'Child Supervision Activities Day': Aimed at promoting the project further, April 4 has been designated as 'Child Supervision Activities Day,' certified by The Japan Anniversary Association.

5. Digital Storybooks: To raise awareness of traffic safety among children and parents, a digital storybook titled 'The Mysterious Magical Glasses' has been made available on the official website, making learning about traffic safety enjoyable.

Future Vision

The Kokumin Kyosai Coop, founded in September 1957, has always aimed to create a supportive community through mutual aid. In preparation for the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, the organization expresses its commitment to fostering a society where everyone can contribute to child safety initiatives and collective well-being. Their ongoing efforts strive for a safe environment for the younger generation, ensuring that no child becomes a victim of traffic accidents.

For more information, visit Kokumin Kyosai Coop.