- The following is content from the press release -
(Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; President: Hidekuni Kuroda) conducted a survey on lost children before the Golden Week holidays, a time when families have more opportunities to go out and visit crowded places.
About 60% of respondents have experienced their child getting lost.
First, when asked if their children had ever been lost, we found that approximately 60% had experienced their children getting lost.
■Place where it is easy to get lost are shopping centers, supermarkets, and parks
When asked where their children have gotten lost, the most common responses were shopping malls, supermarkets, and parks.
In the free comments about specific situations in which children got lost, episodes in the restrooms of shopping malls, in lines waiting for cashiers, and in crowded places were particularly noticeable.Holidays such as Golden Week tend to be crowded, even in supermarkets and parks where people usually go, so the risk of getting lost is likely to increase.
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I was supposed to go into the restroom at the mall, but when I didn't come out, I went to check on him and he wasn't there.
In the crowd at the shopping center, the child moved along so easily that I lost sight of him.
When I went to a crowded park, I lost my child because there were so many people.
I have a lot of lost children while shopping. They wander off somewhere by themselves to something they are interested in while waiting at the checkout, etc. I can't catch up with them because they are waiting at the checkout.
I thought I was walking with him at the beach, but when I turned around, he was gone.
■The age at which children are most likely to get lost is preschoolers
The age group "2-5 years old" was the most common age at which respondents felt they often/often got lost, at more than 70%.
■60% of parents with preschool children do not take any special measures to prevent lost children.
We asked what measures parents with preschool- and early elementary-school-aged children, who are prone to getting lost, use to prevent their children from getting lost,About 60% of parents with young to older children do not have a specific plan for lost children.
In the free comments about problems with measures against lost children, some said that with preschoolers they do not take any particular measures because they are basically with them, but when they do get lost, they become impatient, indicating that parents are trying to prevent lost children by paying attention to them.
The most common response as a measure against lost children in the early grades of elementary school was "giving them a GPS or other device," but it seems that there have been some problems, such as inaccurate location information or forgetting to take the device with them.
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I was so relieved to have an adult with me at all times that I did not take any basic precautions for my 2~3 year old, and in fact, when he got lost, I was in a hurry.
I don't let my preschooler go on his own, but when he gets lost in a crowd, he gets very upset.
GPS location information is not accurate.
...Sometimes the GPS runs out of charge or doesn't take it with you.
Survey Summary
Name of the survey: Questionnaire on lost children
Survey period: April 17, 2023 - April 19, 2023
Research entity: Kokuyo Co.
Survey target: Kokuyo Group employees with children of junior high school age or younger.
Number of valid responses: 122
From daily monitoring to measures against lost children About Kokuyo's "Hello! Family.
On March 29, Kokuyo Co., Ltd. released the "Harokoko," a GPS that allows users to check their children's location, the "Harotag," a tag that can be attached to children's belongings to check for lost items, and the "Harofami App," which allows users to check location information and messages, as the first in the "Hello Family" series. It can be used as a tool to watch over families not only on their daily trips to and from school, but also during the long vacation season when many trips and excursions are made.
Hello! Family." official website URL:https://hellofamily.kokuyo.co.jp
Harokoko," which provides real-time information on the whereabouts of children and their travel routes.
Harokoko" can display a child's whereabouts and travel routes on the app's map using the GPS function. The application can register up to 12 family members, so not only parents but also grandparents can watch over their children. Even if a child gets separated from his or her parents, as long as the child has "Harokoko," the whereabouts and travel routes can be checked on the app.
Available in whipped green and marshmallow pink (two colors in total)
Retail price: 6,930 yen (including tax) *A separate communication fee of 580 yen (including tax) per month will be charged.
■At the touch of a button, children can notify their smartphones of their current location.
When the button on the main unit of "Harokoko" is pressed and held for 4 seconds, a notification is sent to the smartphone and the location is recorded on a map. This provides a means of communicating with parents in the event of a fall, emergency, or other situation in which the child feels insecure.
■Dedicated case for Harokoko with a design that is easy for children to hold and makes them feel good
The strap is carabiner-type, so children can easily attach and detach it to their pants belt, bag, pocket, etc. It is IP65 (waterproof for daily use), so it is safe even if it gets wet. For children who are active, there is no need to worry about screen damage or difficulty in carrying the phone, compared to smartphones or kids' cell phones.
Harotagu" allows families to manage the location of their belongings together.
Harotagu" works in conjunction with all family members' smartphones and "Harokoko," allowing you to check the location of the last time you communicated with your smartphone or "Harokoko" from your family member's smartphone. If "Harotagu" is attached to a child's bag or water bottle, the app can keep track of where you have left off with your child*. You can also use it as a measure against lost children by attaching it to belongings normally shared by family members, such as car keys or suitcases, and having your child carry it when you go out in crowded places. Even if you have a lot of luggage when you go out, you can easily find your way around by asking yourself, "Who has it? Where is it? This eliminates worries such as "Who is carrying it? *The maximum communication distance is about 50m in good visibility (The maximum communication distance varies depending on obstacles between communication devices and radio wave conditions.
Available in: Candy Green, Mango Yellow (2 colors in total)
Retail price: 3,960 yen (tax included)
With the "Halofami App", you can check your location, schedule, and view photos all at once.
The application can be used only with a smartphone. Since photos and locations can be registered in the schedule, it is useful for sharing travel plans and memories with family members. If a family has one "Harokoko" or "Harotagu", they can check the travel routes of users with smartphones. This can be a fun conversation starter for the family, with "Traveler" badges awarded according to the distance traveled and "Jikan-dori-tsuki-tsuki" badges awarded for arriving on time.
■"Hello! Family." official website URL:https://hellofamily.kokuyo.co.jp
Both "Harokoko" and "Harotag" are available at the official "Hello! Delivery will be made from the official Kokuyo Stationery Online Shop.
*The Kokuyo Official Stationery Online Shop will be closed from April 29 to May 7. Please see the official website for delivery schedule.
*Orders and monthly communication fee subscriptions will be available during the holiday period. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Golden Week Special Offer! Special campaign is now in effect!
Set Campaign
Description: During the campaign period, those who purchase "Harokoko" and "Harotag" as a set will receive a "Harokoko Exclusive Case" without exception.
Period: March 29 (Wed.) through May 31 (Wed.) *Subject to early termination due to stock-outs.
Golden Week Special Campaign
Content: Content: During Golden Week, customers who make a single order of 5,000 yen or more can use a 1,000 yen off coupon only once during the period, for Hello Family device purchases only.
Period: April 27 (Thursday) - May 7 (Sunday)
How to use: Please check the coupon code in the news on the official website. Mention the coupon code when you place your order and the discount will be applied. Can be used in conjunction with the set campaign.
