Proactive Heatstroke Prevention for Children: Weather-Linked 'Koji Amazake Index' Vending Machine Installed at Kumagaya City's Childcare Support Hub "KumaKids"

IMAGICA GROUP Inc. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Group CEO: Shunjiro Nagase), a company providing global, end-to-end video planning, production, editing, distribution, and content services, announces that its group company Weathernews Map Inc. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Akira Mori) has launched a newly developed "Koji Amazake Index." This index indicates the recommended level for consuming koji amazake as a heatstroke prevention measure, based on meteorological forecast data such as temperature and humidity.

Marking a new approach to heatstroke prevention, Marukome Co., Ltd., which promotes koji amazake, and Kumagaya City in Saitama Prefecture—a city leading Japan in heat countermeasures—have jointly installed a new vending machine at "KumaKids," a childcare support and health hub facility. The vending machine features an LCD monitor displaying the "Koji Amazake Index."

The vending machine sells "Koji Amazake" by Marukome Co., Ltd., a beverage suitable for heatstroke prevention. By leveraging the index, the monitor visually encourages timely, proactive hydration—"preemptive replenishment"—based on daily weather conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Background and Objectives: Why Kumagaya's Childcare Facility?

In recent years, summer heatwaves have intensified. Infants and young children, whose body temperature regulation functions are underdeveloped, face a higher risk of heatstroke than adults.

To address this, at "KumaKids," Kumagaya City's childcare support and health hub where parents and children gather, Weathernews Map Inc.—a professional meteorological service provider—uses its Koji Amazake Index to visually alert visitors to heat risks. Together with Marukome's koji amazake, which offers natural hydration and electrolyte replenishment from rice (according to product specifications), the initiative aims to promote a new heatstroke prevention behavior.

What Is the Weather-Linked "Koji Amazake Index"?

The "Koji Amazake Index" is an indicator that uses local meteorological forecast data (e.g., temperature, humidity) to rate the suitability of drinking koji amazake for heatstroke prevention on a four-level scale indicated by star ratings (★). Through the monitor on the vending machine, it proactively supports visitors in building resilience against summer heat by recommending timely consumption of koji amazake based on the day's weather.

Four-Level Index Scale and Messages

The vending machine's monitor updates each morning based on weather forecasts, displaying one of the following four messages to alert parents and children visiting the facility:

Level 1 ★☆☆☆: Drink koji amazake as part of your daily health routine!

Level 2 ★★☆☆: Replenish nutrients before heatstroke occurs—drink koji amazake!

Level 3 ★★★☆: Heatstroke alert! Drink koji amazake to revive your exhausted body!

Level 4 ★★★★: Extreme heat warning! Drink koji amazake as your ultimate heatstroke defense!

Installation Details

Installation period: June 18, 2026 – August 31, 2026

Location: Kumagaya City Childcare Support and Health Hub "KumaKids" (3-27 Ishiwara, Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture)

Official Video and Images Available for the Kumagaya Koji Amazake Index

Video: (https://kyodo-pr.box.com/s/24j4qasccealo4bxm9mdm00ze4juprrb)

Images: (https://kyodo-pr.box.com/s/hjsc08e71ah9va0y49rdo08bxnfa6un7)

<About Weathernews Map Inc.>

• Company name: Weathernews Map Inc.

• President: Akira Mori

• Address: The Hexagon 5F, 5-4-7 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052

• Capital: 10 million yen

• Business: Distribution of weather information, original weather indices, proprietary forecasts, weather reporting and program production support for TV and radio stations nationwide, training sessions and lectures by certified weather forecasters, and weather forecaster exam preparation courses

• URL: https://www.weathermap.co.jp/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weathermap

• X: https://twitter.com/wm_osaru

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weathermap-movie

<About IMAGICA GROUP Inc.>

Since its founding in 1935, IMAGICA GROUP has continuously challenged itself to create new value in "visual media." Moving forward, the company aims to become a global "visual communication group" that delivers "surprise and emotion" to people worldwide.

• Company name: IMAGICA GROUP Inc.

• Head Office: 1-14-2 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0022

• President and Group CEO: Shunjiro Nagase

• Founded: June 10, 1974 (Founded originally: February 18, 1935)

• Capital: 100 million yen

• URL: https://www.imagicagroup.co.jp/

• Business: Oversees group operations in content, video production technology, gaming, and measurement solutions. IMAGICA GROUP delivers end-to-end video services—from planning and production to editing, distribution, and delivery—globally. Beyond entertainment, it provides high-quality products and services leveraging video technologies across diverse fields including industry, healthcare, and academic research.