Aiming to create an environment that protects children ahead of implementation one year from now
- The following is content from the press release -
The Ministry of Children and Families has established the "Certified Provider Mark" to be displayed by nationally certified providers, and the "Statutory Provider Mark" to be displayed by schools, licensed childcare facilities, and similar institutions, based on the Child Sexual Violence Prevention Act (※1) scheduled to take effect on December 25, 2026. These marks, displayed at businesses and facilities meeting the standards, aim to foster an environment where children, parents, and guardians can confidently utilize educational and childcare services within their communities.
The mark established this time is designed to make it easy to recognize that private businesses—including schools, licensed childcare facilities, and other publicly licensed or certified institutions providing education or childcare for children, as well as nationally certified cram schools, sports clubs, and after-school childcare clubs—are implementing measures to prevent sexual violence against children and protect their minds and bodies.
The motif features an owl watching over children with large eyes, named “Komamoro.” Its defining features are the large black eyes that firmly “watch and protect” children, and the slightly pointed head shape reminiscent of "antennae" spread out to safeguard them. The design uses a warm orange base color for the main body, with blue and pink backgrounds, to enhance visibility and clarity. This makes it approachable for children and easy to spot in various locations.
Furthermore, during the development process, we received significant cooperation from many individuals. This included utilizing the "Children and Youth ★ Opinion Plus" system in October to directly gather children's opinions on the mark design through an opinion forum. At the October hearing, opinions such as "Bright, reassuring, and eye-catching colors are best" and "A character would make it more approachable" were submitted. We repeatedly reviewed the design based on these suggestions.
The newly established marks consist of two types: the "Certified Provider Mark" (left), which can be displayed by businesses that meet the standards and receive certification, and the "Statutory Provider Mark" (right), which must be displayed by facilities subject to legal obligations. These marks will only be displayed by facilities and businesses that meet the standards stipulated by law. By displaying them at facility entrances, reception areas, on websites, recruitment advertisements, and job postings, children and guardians will naturally see them, helping create an environment where they recognize efforts to prevent sexual violence against children. Going forward, we aim for these marks to permeate society, spreading the awareness that "Let's protect children from sexual violence, together" throughout the entire community.
Comments by Minister Kikawada of the Ministry for Children and Families
Protecting children from sexual violence cannot be achieved by families alone, nor by educational and childcare settings alone. It requires the understanding and cooperation of everyone who interacts with children. We believe it is most crucial that adults who interact with children daily show concern, listen to their voices, and establish systems to protect them when something happens. Through this mark, we hope to build a society where every individual—children, parents, and everyone working in education, childcare, and other settings where children are present—considers "child safety" and takes action to protect children from sexual violence. We sincerely ask for your cooperation.
Regarding the Child Sexual Violence Prevention Act
The Child Sexual Violence Prevention Act, effective December 2026, establishes a system to prevent sexual violence in settings providing education or childcare to children, such as schools, daycare centers, cram schools, and sports clubs. Once the law takes effect, these facilities and operators will be required to implement measures to prevent sexual violence against children. This includes verifying whether staff have prior convictions for sexual offenses, establishing consultation windows, investigating incidents of suspected sexual violence, protecting and supporting victimized children, and providing training for staff. Public facilities like schools and licensed childcare centers must implement these measures. Private businesses like cram schools and sports clubs can also implement similar measures by meeting national standards and obtaining certification. These facilities and businesses can display the "Komamoro" mark, making it immediately clear to children and parents that they are appropriately implementing measures to protect children from sexual violence.
※1 The official name is the "Act on Measures for the Prevention of Sexual Violence Against Children by School Operators and Private Education and Childcare Providers."
※2 A system where various ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Children and Families, listen to children's opinions through various methods to improve systems and policies concerning children and young people.
※3 A forum where members registered with "Kids & Youth ★ Iken Plus" can share their opinions on themes proposed by government ministries and agencies, or on themes they wish to voice their views about.
