[Important] Children Carry 20% of Their Body Weight Daily. Let's Eliminate the 'Burden' of Commuting to School.

We endorse April Dream, an initiative to share dreams on April 1st. This press release is a dream from "Murase Kabanko".

Murase Kabanko Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture) announces its dream, "To eliminate the burden of commuting to school," as part of the PR TIMES April Dream project.

In recent years, the physical burden on children commuting to school has been increasing. The weight of school bags for elementary school students has significantly increased compared to 20 years ago, with some junior and senior high school students carrying over 10kg.

However, the reality is that even parents who watch over their children daily do not fully grasp the extent of this burden.

Children commute to school every day carrying loads equivalent to approximately 20% of their own body weight.

Have you ever carried that much weight yourself?

We want adults to experience that weight at least once.

■ The 'Weight of Commuting' is an Overlooked Social Issue

Due to the increase in textbooks, the introduction of tablet devices, and the necessity of carrying water bottles, the weight of children's school bags continues to grow year by year.

As a result, physical impacts such as strain on the shoulders and back, and poor posture have been pointed out. These conditions are commonly referred to as "Randsel Syndrome" or "Backpack Syndrome."

However, this problem has not been sufficiently discussed, with the prevailing perception being, "It's unavoidable because they are growing," or "It was the same in the past."

■ Murase Kabanko's April Dream

Our dream is "to eliminate the burden of commuting to school."

We aim not only to lighten the randoseru (school backpack), but also to:

・Create a society where the total weight of school commuting is halved.
・Establish a burden reduction system in collaboration with schools, manufacturers, and local governments.
・Ensure an environment where children can commute to school without feeling physical strain.

We want to challenge ourselves to rethink the very nature of commuting to school.

■ An Experience for Parents to 'Carry the Same Burden'

To encourage parents to take this issue personally, we plan to implement initiatives where parents experience the same burden as their children.

The load children carry is equivalent to approximately 20% of their body weight.
For an adult weighing 60kg, this is equivalent to carrying about 12kg.

Through this initiative, we aim to provide parents with an opportunity to truly understand the reality of commuting by having them carry this "equivalent burden" themselves.

■ Approach Through Research and Development

Murase Kabanko has been working on initiatives to reduce the burden.

Moving forward, we plan to collaborate with Chukyo University to verify the impact of heavy loads on posture, and with Nagoya Zokei University of Art to develop new school bags that incorporate burden-reducing functions.

■ Towards the Concept of 'Reducing' and 'Distributing'

Previously, the burden of commuting has been discussed from the perspective of "how to make it lighter."

However, we are re-examining this premise and believe it is necessary to reduce the burden from multiple perspectives, including:

・Reducing the total weight of school commuting items.
・Choosing bags that can reduce the physical burden.
・Reviewing how items are packed and how the bag is worn.

As a manufacturer of school bags, we have continuously addressed this issue.

Children should be focusing on learning itself, not on the weight they carry.

■ A Call to the Future

The way children commute to school is a theme that concerns schools, families, and the community as a whole.

Murase Kabanko aims to promote initiatives to reduce the burden of commuting in collaboration with educational institutions, local governments, and corporations.

To seriously realize a future where "the burden of commuting to school is zero."

We believe we have a responsibility to change the "norm" of commuting.

■ Company Overview

・Company Name: Murase Kabanko Co., Ltd.
・Head Office Address: 4-10 Kogane-dori, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
・Representative Director: Yasuto Murase
・Business Activities: Manufacturing, wholesale, and sales of bags, including randoseru.
・Official Website: https://www.murasekabanko.co.jp