#Japan #Kofu #Kofu City #Camellia-kun #SD Entertainment

Child Safety Takes a Step Forward in Kofu City

In a significant commitment to child safety, the company MCT2 Inc., a subsidiary of SD Entertainment, has donated five sets of the "Child Abandonment Prevention Camera Camellia-kun" to nursery and kindergarten settings in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. The donation took place on November 10, under the auspices of Kofu's local government.

Background of the Donation

Recently, incidents of children being left behind in childcare facilities have been on the rise. According to a survey conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, there were 94 reported cases over four years (2017-2020) concerning child abandonment in accredited childcare facilities within the city. This alarming trend highlights an urgent need for enhanced safety measures in nurseries and kindergartens. The absence of a legal obligation to report abandonment cases suggests that the actual figures may be significantly higher. As such, the challenge of ensuring child safety continues to grow amid increased burdens on childcare workers and labor shortages.

About the Camellia-kun Camera

The "Camellia-kun" camera is designed to transform the landscape of nursery safety through its four core features:

1. Enhanced Awareness with Dual Cameras
The camera is equipped with two lenses that capture a 180-degree view simultaneously, ensuring that blind spots during outdoor activities like walks and park visits are documented. This capability provides objective evidence from a third-party perspective, covering essential scenes in childcare with its versatile three-mode design.

2. Automatic Detection of Departures
Each child wears an IC tag that triggers a warning sound when the child strays beyond a predetermined area. Alongside this, the camera sends an instant alert to the caregiver's smartphone. This functionality is critical for preventing accidents related to children going missing by ensuring timely awareness of their movements.

3. Recording Without Connectivity
With the ability to record on a microSD card for up to 48 hours and operate continuously for 4 to 5 hours, this camera maintains functionality even in areas without Wi-Fi. When connected, users can access remote monitoring via a specialized app.

4. Multi-purpose Applications
The recorded footage can serve various purposes, such as employee training materials, fact-checking in case of disputes, and providing evidence for detailed explanations to parents. This dual benefit enhances the quality of childcare and mitigates the potential for trouble.

Product Details

• - Product Name: Child Abandonment Prevention Camera Camellia-kun
• - List Price: ¥300,000 (tax-inclusive: ¥330,000)
• - Launch Campaign Price: ¥198,000 (tax-inclusive: ¥217,800) until March 31, 2026
• - Field of View: Approximately 180 degrees
• - Video Quality: 1080P/VGA
• - Memory: microSD card (up to 512GB, V10 or higher)
• - Recording Time: Up to ~280 hours (using 512GB microSD)
• - Microphone: Yes
• - Dimensions & Weight: Approximately (W) 50 × (H) 70 × (D) 55 mm, 145g

For more information, visit the product page.

Comments from Stakeholders

Mr. Takanori Okutsu, Manager at MCT2 Inc.:
“We believe that improving the environment for childcare to ensure children's safety is vital, rather than relying solely on human skills or attention. Over-dependence can lead to human errors, increasing the risk of severe accidents. Thus, our mission focuses on creating systems that enhance safety sustainably. We trust that the Camellia-kun will effectively contribute to the city’s efforts in creating a safe, nurturing environment for children, reducing the burden on caregivers.”

Mr. Yuichi Higuchi, Mayor of Kofu City:
“Our city is committed to supporting families and fostering a safe growing environment for children through enhanced education and childcare services. The donation of the Camellia-kun will not only serve as surveillance within nursery facilities but also as a protective measure during outdoor activities. We plan to distribute these cameras across five public kindergartens in the city as part of our objective to promote safety and security for both children and caregivers.”

Company Overview

SD Entertainment Inc.:

• - Location: 1-8-1 Minami-Nangodori, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
• - Representative: President Makoto Takahashi
• - Established: May, 1954
• - Website: sdentertainment.jp
• - Business: Core services include fitness and corporate-led childcare, in addition to junior school programs, caregiving services, and wellness services for lifelong engagement with customers.

MCT2 Inc.:

• - Location: 2F Camellia Building, 8-5-10 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
• - Representative: President Makoto Takahashi
• - Established: September, 2000
• - Business: Includes call center management, software sales, recruitment advertisement agency, and office supplies distribution.