GeoVital, a Heatstroke Countermeasure System for Forestry Sites in Extreme Heat, Adopted for Norinchukin Bank's Subsidy Program, Making Introduction Easier

Forest Sea Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Yoshiaki Tokita, Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo), which develops "GeoVital," a communication-enabled wearable safety management system utilizing Toshiba devices, has been selected as an eligible product for the Norinchukin Bank's "Forestry Labor Safety Improvement Measures Project." It has also been listed in the "FY2026 Safety Measures Product Catalog" published by the National Federation of Forest Owners' Cooperatives. This enables eligible forest owners' cooperatives and forestry businesses to receive a 30% subsidy for introduction costs. *This product is not a medical device.* Limitations of traditional heatstroke countermeasures relying on "individual judgment." Amidst record-breaking heatwaves, labor safety measures, including heatstroke prevention, are a critical issue in forestry sites. Forestry involves long hours of work in mountainous areas, small teams, and often working out of mobile service range, making early response to changes in physical condition difficult. Therefore, there is a demand for operational management that visualizes workers' conditions with data and ensures safety through a systematic approach, rather than relying solely on traditional verbal checks and self-judgment. Safety management realized by "GeoVital" adopting Toshiba's vital sensor. GeoVital is a wearable safety management system that utilizes Toshiba's multi-functional vital sensor "MULiSiTEN MS200." - Estimation of heat stress level: It quantifies the "heat stress level" from pulse, temperature/humidity, and individual personal data (height, weight, medical history), detecting risks before danger arises. - Automatic alert in case of abnormality: If the individual's physical condition changes unnoticed, or if a preset threshold is exceeded, it notifies the individual with a vibration on the wrist device and automatically sends an SOS to the administrator via mobile line through a linked dedicated application. - Communication function even out of mobile service range: Even in areas where mobile signals do not reach, by linking with the "GeoChat" chat & SOS device that supports the unique IoT communication standard "GEO-WAVE," workers on site can send SOS signals in real-time to each other and to administrators in remote offices. Significantly reduced introduction hurdles by combining two subsidy programs. This product is eligible for both the Norinchukin Bank's Forestry Labor Safety Improvement Measures Project (30% subsidy) and the Forestry Agency's Forestry Labor Safety Assurance Measures Project (1/2 subsidy). By combining these, it is possible to introduce the product at a cost burden of "35%" of the list price (76,000 yen/unit excluding tax *including 5 years of app usage), significantly lowering the hurdle for introducing the latest safety equipment even for forestry businesses that previously found it difficult to secure budgets. The outlines of each project are as follows. Details can be found via the links below. 1. Forestry Labor Safety Improvement Measures Project (Norinchukin Bank) ◯ Content: 30% subsidy for introduction costs. ◯ Eligible parties: Not only forest owners' cooperatives and federations of forest owners' cooperatives, but also a wide range of other organizations and individuals are eligible. Direct operating teams of forest owners' cooperatives and federations of forest owners' cooperatives. Contractors of forest owners' cooperatives and federations of forest owners' cooperatives *conditions apply. Members. Students of forestry universities, etc. [Reference] About subsidies for purchasing safety equipment for forestry for forest owners' cooperatives, etc. (Outline of recruitment for FY2026). 2. Forestry Labor Safety Assurance Measures Project (Forestry Agency) ◯ Content: 1/2 subsidy for the introduction costs of equipment and devices that contribute to safety and health. Fixed subsidy for labor safety education and training costs (up to 1 million yen). ◯ Eligible parties: Forestry management entities that have received the following certifications, and related organizations composed of these entities, are eligible. Certified business operators (those certified by the prefectural governor with an improvement plan). Selected management entities (forestry management entities selected by the prefectural governor). Local governments, forestry-related organizations (organizations that oversee the above entities). [Reference] FY2025 Supplementary Budget Emergency Support Measures for Securing Forestry Workers, etc. Labor Safety Assurance and Management Strengthening Measures, Forestry Labor Safety Assurance Measures Project. Creating a workplace where younger generations can work with peace of mind. As the shortage of forestry workers becomes severe, it is crucial for the survival of the entire industry to create a workplace environment where young and new employees can work safely and long-term, rather than relying solely on the intuition of experienced workers. Forest Sea supports the creation of a workplace that "does not overwork, and does not allow overwork" through GeoVital. Contact regarding this matter: Forest Sea Co., Ltd. Public Relations. Email: fs_info@geowave.jp. Contact Form: https://foresttosea.jp/about_us/contact/. Keywords: