Nagano Prefecture and AUTHENTIC JAPAN Sign Agreement for Rapid Search and Rescue of Mountain Victims

AUTHENTIC JAPAN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, President & CEO: Kazusou Kuga, hereinafter referred to as AUTHENTIC JAPAN), operator of the membership-based search service "Kokohéli" for locating missing persons in mountains and at sea, signed an "Agreement on Cooperation in Search and Rescue Activities for Victims in Mountains and Other Areas" with Nagano Prefecture on July 7, 2026 (Tue).

Under this agreement, our company will provide Kokohéli search receivers and transmitters free of charge to the Nagano Prefecture Fire and Disaster Aviation Center. In the event of a mountain accident, we will promptly provide member information and support rapid and accurate search and rescue operations in cooperation with the Nagano Prefecture Fire and Disaster Aviation Corps. We will also conduct joint training from peacetime to further strengthen the rescue system.

Background

Nagano Prefecture, with the Northern, Central, and Southern Alps, is one of Japan's leading mountainous prefectures, attracting many climbers from both within and outside the country. On the other hand, mountain accidents are increasing year by year. In 2025 (Reiwa 7), there were 358 incidents and 392 victims, both record highs since the start of statistics. Approximately 60% of accidents occur in the Northern Alps.

In light of this situation, Nagano Prefecture and our company have concluded this agreement to further strengthen the mountain accident rescue system through public-private cooperation.

Main Contents of the Agreement

The agreement will focus on the following areas of cooperation:

Prompt provision of Kokohéli member information in the event of a mountain accident

Free loan of Kokohéli receivers and transmitters to the Nagano Prefecture Fire and Disaster Aviation Center

Utilization of equipment in accident rescue activities and training

Establishment of a cooperative system through regular joint training from peacetime

Expected Effects of Kokohéli Implementation

1. Search activities not solely reliant on visual confirmation

Traditional mountain accident searches have primarily relied on visual confirmation by helicopters and ground teams. By utilizing Kokohéli receivers, we can receive radio waves emitted from transmitters carried by the victim, enabling location identification even in situations where visual detection is difficult, leading to early discovery.

2. Efficient narrowing down of search areas

By receiving the transmitter's radio waves, search areas can be efficiently narrowed down even in vast mountainous regions. This enables efficient search activities with limited personnel and time, leading to the early rescue of victims.

3. Improved safety of rescue operations

Efficiently narrowing down the search area is expected to reduce the time spent operating in dangerous environments such as steep terrain. Furthermore, the loaned transmitters will be carried by members of the Fire and Disaster Aviation Corps, contributing to the safety of the rescue team members themselves.

Comment from Takeshi Yajima, Manager of Crisis Management Department, Nagano Prefecture

Our prefecture is blessed with diverse mountain environments, from 3,000-meter peaks like the Northern Alps to more accessible local mountains. Consequently, many climbers visit from within and outside the prefecture. However, against this backdrop, mountain accidents in our prefecture have been on an increasing trend in recent years, with both the number of incidents and victims continuously setting new records.

When a mountain accident occurs, it is extremely important to quickly grasp clues about the victim and connect them to rescue within a limited timeframe. In this context, the ability to accurately ascertain the victim's location information, which will be newly added through today's agreement, is expected to be a great asset to on-site search and rescue operations.

Furthermore, in search and rescue operations, securing the safety of the operating team members, as well as rescuing the victims, is a crucial issue. We recognize that this agreement will not only improve operational efficiency but also lead to reduced burden and enhanced safety for the team members carrying out their duties in the field.

As a prefecture, we will continue to deepen cooperation with related organizations and strive to ensure the safety and security of our citizens and mountaineers.

Comment from Tomoya Yoshida, Managing Director, AUTHENTIC JAPAN Co., Ltd.

I personally love the nature of Nagano and have enjoyed its rich natural environment many times through activities like hiking in Yatsugatake and skiing in Hakuba and Sugadaira. We are working to create an environment where people can enjoy the outdoors with peace of mind in this wonderful natural setting.

I am deeply honored to have signed this agreement with the people of Nagano Prefecture and to be able to cooperate in search and rescue operations during mountain accidents. We hope that by utilizing our location identification technology, we can contribute to swift rescue in the event of an emergency, and through the efficiency of search operations, we can also support the safety of those engaged in rescue activities on site.

We hope to contribute to creating an environment where people can enjoy the mountains with peace of mind by cooperating with the people of Nagano Prefecture.

What is "Kokohéli"?

"Kokohéli" is a membership-based "private helicopter search service" that can search for mountain accident victims by helicopter. While "mountain insurance" pays insurance money for rescue costs by private organizations such as mountain lodges or for private searches conducted after public agencies have called off their search, "Kokohéli" as a search service can increase the survival rate of victims.

By using radio waves from transmitters and helicopters/drones, "Kokohéli" significantly reduces search time compared to traditional "visual searches," pinpointing the victim's location to a distance of 0 meters, meaning "they are right here." Its characteristic is that it does not prolong the search time.

Each Kokohéli member is loaned a dedicated transmitter, and members always wear the transmitter 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 transmitters worn by members, rapid searches are possible even in mountainous areas where smartphone reception is out of range. This high performance in "saving lives" has been strongly supported by mountaineers, and the number of members has grown to over 170,000.

Company Profile

AUTHENTIC JAPAN Co., Ltd.

President & CEO: Kazusou Kuga

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

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

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

Biography of Kazusou Kuga, President & CEO

Born in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture in 1978. Graduated from Seinan Gakuin University, Faculty of Literature, Department of Foreign Languages, English major. 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 moved to the product planning department. Founded AUTHENTIC JAPAN in 2011 and resigned from his previous company. Currently serves in this role.