First in Japan: Free Rental of Life Jackets with GPS Trackers at 3 Beaches in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa

AUTHENTIC JAPAN Inc. (Head Office: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture; President and CEO: Kazusou Kuga), which operates the location tracking service "Kokohéli" for mountains and oceans, will begin offering free rentals of life jackets equipped with the GPS tracker "Kokohéli Marine" at beaches in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture (Katase Higashihama Beach, Katase Nishihama/Kugenuma Beach, and Tsujido Beach). This initiative, offering free rentals of GPS tracker-equipped life jackets to the general public at beaches, is the first of its kind in Japan (according to our research).

In 2025, the number of beachgoers at the three beaches in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, was 1,783,782, an increase of 18.9% from the previous year, reaching a level exceeding that before the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these, Katase Higashihama Beach and Katase Nishihama/Kugenuma Beach attract many visitors not only from Kanagawa Prefecture but also from the Tokyo metropolitan area.

This initiative aims to ensure user safety and conduct a demonstration for establishing a rapid detection and rescue system through location tracking at sea. Furthermore, an introduction and demonstration of this initiative will be held at the "Enoshima Miami Beach Show 2026" beach opening event on July 1st (Wed).

Background

The beaches in Fujisawa City are major summer tourist destinations representing Shonan, attracting a large number of beachgoers every year. In 2025, Katase Higashihama Beach had 653,250 visitors, Katase Nishihama/Kugenuma Beach had 1,128,000 visitors, and Tsujido Beach had 2,532 visitors.

While many people enjoy the sea, there are situations at beaches where tracking location is crucial, such as lost children, people being swept away while swimming, rip currents, and sudden health issues. Especially at sea, unlike on land, there are few landmarks, and it can take time to find someone.

The life jackets to be rented will be equipped with "Kokohéli Marine," which has a GPS function. Users, guardians, and relevant personnel can check location information via smartphones, and it can also be used for searches with a dedicated receiver if necessary.

We will collaborate with beach operators in Fujisawa City to support the creation of an environment where beachgoers can enjoy the sea with peace of mind.

Rental Details

Implementation Details

Free rental of life jackets with GPS tracker "Kokohéli Marine"

Rental Locations and Rental Periods

[Katase Higashihama Beach]

Location: Higashihama Coastal Office

Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - September 6, 2026 (Sun)

[Katase Nishihama/Kugenuma Beach]

Location: Enoshima Beach Cooperative Association Office (Nishihama), Kugenuma Coast "Kugenuma Office"

Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - September 13, 2026 (Sun)

[Tsujido Beach]

Location: Beach house "Tsujido Beach House"

Period: July 18, 2026 (Sat) - August 31, 2026 (Mon)

Number of Rental Units

Katase Higashihama Beach: 20 units

Katase Nishihama/Kugenuma Beach: 20 units

Tsujido Beach: 10 units

Rental Fee

Free

Cooperation

Enoshima Beach Cooperative Association, Enoshima Beach Business Association, Tsujido Beach Cooperative Association, Enoshima Miami Beach Show Executive Committee

Demonstration at Beach Opening Event

A "demonstration" will be held at the "Enoshima Miami Beach Show 2026" beach opening event venue on July 1st, along with an overview explanation of Kokohéli Marine.

Date and Time: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - 11:15 AM onwards

Venue: Katase Coast Higashihama

Content: Introduction of Kokohéli Marine, demonstration of GPS tracker-equipped life jackets

What is "Kokohéli Marine"?

"Kokohéli Marine" is a transmitter service designed to support safety measures during marine activities and competitions. By participants and vessels carrying or equipping transmitters, it aids in locating individuals in case of an emergency and contributes to faster rescue operations.

Leveraging its expertise in location tracking technology using transmitters and receivers, as well as search support utilizing helicopters and drones, cultivated through its mountain search and rescue service "Kokohéli," AUTHENTIC JAPAN is also working on safety measures for the sea, not just mountains.

▲ "Kokohéli Marine" dedicated transmitter: A portable, compact device approximately 5 cm wide and high, and 1 cm thick ▲ "Kokohéli Marine" dedicated receiver

What is "Kokohéli"?

"Kokohéli" is a membership-based "private helicopter search service" that can search for mountain accident victims by helicopter. While mountain insurance covers rescue costs by private organizations like mountain lodges or private search costs after public agencies cease their search efforts, "Kokohéli" enhances the survival rate of accident victims as a search service.

By utilizing transmitter radio waves and helicopters/drones, "Kokohéli" significantly reduces search time compared to traditional "visual searches" and can pinpoint the victim's location to within 0 meters, meaning "they are here." Its characteristic is that it does not prolong the search time.

Each Kokohéli member is lent a dedicated transmitter, and members must wear it when climbing. In the event of an accident, preparations are made to dispatch a helicopter to the mountain area specified in the climbing plan. By equipping helicopters and drones with receivers and establishing "direct communication" with the transmitter worn by the member, rapid searches are possible even in mountain areas where smartphone reception is out of range. This high performance in "saving lives" has earned strong support from climbers, with the membership exceeding 170,000.

▲ Kokohéli transmitters (Left: Basic, Right: GPS+)

Company Profile

AUTHENTIC JAPAN Inc.

President and CEO: Kazusou Kuga

Head Office: 1-6-15-4F Akasaka, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

URL: https://www.authjapan.com/

Business Activities: Operation of mountain search service "Kokohéli," etc.

Biography of Kazusou Kuga, President and CEO

Born in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture in 1978. Graduated from Seinan Gakuin University, Faculty of Foreign Languages, English Department. Joined Panasonic System Networks in 2002, and was seconded to a UK subsidiary as head of the SCM department. Returned to Japan after 10 years and transferred to the product planning department. Founded AUTHENTIC JAPAN in 2011 and resigned from Panasonic. Currently serves as President and CEO.