A Life-sized, Clever Proposal for Shy Japanese People. Limited Edition 'Shikake Tegami Surprise Edition' to be Released on Good Couple Day.

Under the mission of 'supporting someone's ability to communicate by redesigning letters,' Nature of Things, Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tomomi Hamamoto), which produces and sells letter gifts, will release a limited quantity of the Shikake Tegami 'Surprise Edition' starting from Wednesday, April 22, 2026, a day popular for proposals and marriage registrations as 'Good Couple Day.' This is a specially designed product developed with the concept of a surprise proposal that shy Japanese people can do without overreaching. ## A proposal like in a foreign movie, suddenly getting down on one knee in public and popping open a box, is quite a high hurdle for us shy Japanese people. However, a proposal is a once-in-a-lifetime memorial event. For the person on the receiving end, there's always a part of them hoping for a wonderful surprise. Shikake Tegami has been chosen as a new form of proposal that reconciles this incompatibility between shy Japanese people and a stunning surprise. While Shikake Tegami is often used as a surprise gift for important milestones like anniversaries, birthdays, and weddings, in the past year, about 300 people have actually ordered it for the purpose of a proposal. However, many people still hold the aspiration of 'proposal = engagement ring.' Therefore, we have developed a special surprise experience (koto) that goes beyond just a product (mono) of a picture-book-style letter, while cherishing Japanese-like qualities. ## When you open the mysterious box case that looks just like a concrete block, the first thing you see is the Shikake Tegami. 'What? A book?' With that surprise, you pick up the picture book and start reading, only to realize it's a picture-book-style letter starring the two of you. And on the final page of the book are the heartfelt, original words of a proposal... As your partner is still reeling from the surprise, you prompt them, 'Try pulling that tab.' Following your words, they pull the small ribbon under the case where the book was, and an engagement ring (*) appears from behind a hidden door. There's no need to overreach and get down on one knee in public, acting like a bold and fearless version of yourself. There's no need to involve unrelated people. There's no need to desperately memorize unfamiliar words. Even as your shy, life-sized self, you can orchestrate a special, unforgettable surprise. Make them cry with the picture book, and make them smile with the diamond. This is a proposal by the Japanese, for the Japanese.