#Japan #Setagaya #Wpc. #Heat Stroke #Umbrella Project

A New Initiative to Protect Students from Extreme Heat

In the face of increasingly severe heat waves impacting students, Wpc. (World Party Corporation), based in Osaka, has initiated a special program titled "#Umbrella is Love - Protecting the Commute of Hardworking Students with Umbrellas!" This project, in collaboration with Tokyo Agricultural University's high school, aims to raise awareness and implement preventative measures against heat stroke for students. The kickoff event took place on June 15, 2026.

As the United Nations and various health agencies emphasize the risks posed by extreme temperatures, the term "extreme heat day" was officially recognized by Japan's Meteorological Agency in April 2026, marking temperatures exceeding 40°C as dangerous. This underscores the importance of heat stroke prevention in educational environments. Wpc. established this program to transform students' routes to school from perilous paths into safe and enjoyable journeys.

Special Lecture by Meteorologist Akiko Ishigure: Future of Heat Stroke Prevention

The first part of the program featured a special lecture presented by Akiko Ishigure, a meteorologist and disaster prevention specialist, who graduated from Tokyo Agricultural University's Faculty of Agriculture. Ishigure provided an engaging discussion about the severity of heat waves and heat stroke risks, using quizzes and specific data to make her points clear and relatable.

The interactive quiz at the beginning revealed that approximately 100,000 individuals were hospitalized due to heat stroke in 2025, which took students by surprise. Ishigure elaborated on practical heat stroke prevention measures, explaining how gradually acclimating to heat—"heat acclimatization"—is crucial for students. She also shared specific strategies tailored to their commutes.

In closing, Ishigure, a proud alumna of the school, emphasized the effectiveness of umbrellas, mentioning research showing that using an umbrella can reduce sweat by 17%. She encouraged students to embrace their role in promoting umbrella culture among their peers, making it an essential tool for safeguarding their own health.

Transforming Perceptions through Creative Workshops

The latter half of the program involved a workshop aimed at changing the perception of using umbrellas, traditionally seen as unnecessary or exclusive to adult women. Divided into groups of five to six, students brainstormed catchy slogans that would encourage their peers to want to use umbrellas.

Group Catchphrases:

1. "Your Beauty Not Meant for the Sun"
2. "Resilient Against Rain and Summer Heat"
3. "Stylish Shade - Umbrellas Are Fashion!"
4. "Under the Rainbow, Right Next to You"
5. "Fighting Rain and Sun, Umbrellas Are Cool"
6. "No Sunscreen Needed"
7. "Your Shield Every Day of the Year"
8. "Time for an Umbrella Revolution!"
9. "Fashionable and Functional: The Umbrella"
10. "Too Cool for Heat - Let’s Elevate Our Style!"
11. "No More Enduring the Heat!"
12. "Sharing the Summer Commute"
13. "A One-Handed Oasis"
14. "Your Shade, My Cool"
15. "SUN CUT UMBRELLA"

Many groups defined specific target audiences for their ideas. For instance, Group One envisioned a scene where an elderly man, hesitant to buy an umbrella for himself, presents one to his wife to keep her beautiful. Group Eleven targeted individuals who typically do not use umbrellas, like adult men and high school students, framing umbrellas as both a practical accessory and a stylish choice.

After presentations, Wpc.'s spokesperson, Nakamura, expressed gratitude for the quality ideas generated in such a short timeframe and praised the students’ creative targeting and expression. Ishigure concluded the workshop by highlighting the students’ enthusiasm and deep insights into why people might avoid carrying umbrellas, remarking on the potential for generating new market trends from their innovative ideas.

Empowering Students as Umbrella Advocates

At the close of the program, the 85 participants were officially designated as ambassadors for umbrella safety and necessity. Two representatives—one from the junior high section and one from the high school—received umbrellas. Wpc. expressed its hope that students would create enjoyable and comfortable commutes by using umbrellas and spread awareness of their benefits to those around them.

Project Overview

• - Project Name: Wpc. "#Umbrella is Love - Protecting the Commute of Hardworking Students with Umbrellas!"
• - Date: June 15, 2026
• - Venue: Tokyo Agricultural University First High School and Junior High School, Setagaya, Tokyo
• - Participants: Middle and high school students from Tokyo Agricultural University First High School
• - Organizer: Wpc. (World Party Corporation)

About Tokyo Agricultural University’s First High School and Junior High School

Located in Setagaya, Tokyo, this private co-educational institution transitioned to a full middle-high school system in 2025. With a philosophy of "Knowledge, Agriculture, and Practical Learning," the school prioritizes experimental education and aims to develop global talents capable of creating their own futures through a strong focus on Science and Mathematics.

Profile of Speaker Akiko Ishigure

According to her motto, "Making Weather Fun," Ishigure communicates critical disaster prevention information engagingly. A graduate of the Tokyo Agricultural University, she has been a meteorologist since 2006 and is known for participating in marathons, including completing the Tokyo Marathon. Also involved in various platforms, she is recognized for her entertaining and educational disaster prevention lectures.