Promoting Bicycle Helmet Use with Japan's Mascot Characters: OGK Kabuto Expands Local Government Partnerships
Key facts
- Promoting Bicycle Helmet Use with Japan's Mascot Characters: OGK Kabuto Expands Local Government Partnerships
- OGK Kabuto, a leading Japanese bicycle helmet manufacturer, is accelerating its nationwide safety awareness campaign by partnering with local governments. Following its latest helmet presentation to Kanagawa's mascot 'Kanagawa Kintaro' on May 3, 2026, the company continues to provide custom helmets and product donations across Japan to foster a community-based culture of safety.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 30, 2026
Direct answer
OGK Kabuto, a leading Japanese bicycle helmet manufacturer, is accelerating its nationwide safety awareness campaign by partnering with local governments. Following its latest helmet presentation to Kanagawa's mascot 'Kanagawa Kintaro' on May 3, 2026, the company continues to provide custom helmets and product donations across Japan to foster a community-based culture of safety.
- Citation
- Promoting Bicycle Helmet Use with Japan's Mascot Characters: OGK Kabuto Expands Local Government Partnerships (May 30, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 30, 2026
OGK Kabuto, a leading Japanese bicycle helmet manufacturer, is accelerating its nationwide safety awareness campaign by partnering with local governments. Following its latest helmet presentation to Kanagawa's mascot 'Kanagawa Kintaro' on May 3, 2026, the company continues to provide custom helmets and product donations across Japan to foster a community-based culture of safety.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 30, 2026 at 00:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 30, 2026 at 22:17 (21h 27m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 30, 2026 at 22:22 (4 min after Collected)
OGK Kabuto Co., Ltd. (Higashiosaka City, President: Hiroki Kimura), a pioneer in bicycle helmets, is actively supporting local governments in their efforts to promote the safe use of bicycles and small mobility devices. The company provides custom helmets to local mascot characters and enters into business partnership agreements as needed to facilitate safety awareness.
Starting with Osaka Prefecture's 'Mozuyan' in 2016, the initiative has expanded to include Ehime's 'Mikyan,' Hyogo's 'Habatan,' Kochi's 'Kuroshio-kun,' and most recently, Kanagawa's 'Kanagawa Kintaro' on May 3, 2026. These custom helmets are utilized in various regional awareness activities.
■ Key Initiatives:
- Osaka Prefecture (Mozuyan): In April 2016, the 'Mozutomo Agreement' was signed to strengthen safety awareness for the elderly. The creation of a dedicated helmet coincided with the prefecture's mandatory bicycle insurance policy.
- Ehime Prefecture (Mikyan): Known for the highest helmet usage rate in Japan, the company created a perfectly sized helmet for Mikyan after seeing SNS comments about a poorly fitting helmet. It was presented at 'Cycling Shimanami 2024' in October 2024.
- Hyogo Prefecture (Habatan): In March 2025, under a partnership agreement, the company donated 3,000 helmets to high school students commuting by bicycle and presented a custom helmet to Habatan alongside Governor Motohiko Saito.
- Kochi Prefecture (Kuroshio-kun): On April 6, 2026, during the Spring National Traffic Safety Campaign, a donation ceremony was held with Governor Seiji Hamada, accompanied by the signing of a business partnership agreement.
- Kanagawa Prefecture (Kanagawa Kintaro): A tripartite agreement was signed between the prefecture, the prefectural police, and OGK Kabuto on March 9, 2026. A presentation ceremony took place on May 3 with Vice Governor Yoshinori Hirata.
OGK Kabuto remains open to cooperation with any local government committed to bicycle and small mobility safety, aiming to provide support tailored to local characteristics and needs.
Starting with Osaka Prefecture's 'Mozuyan' in 2016, the initiative has expanded to include Ehime's 'Mikyan,' Hyogo's 'Habatan,' Kochi's 'Kuroshio-kun,' and most recently, Kanagawa's 'Kanagawa Kintaro' on May 3, 2026. These custom helmets are utilized in various regional awareness activities.
■ Key Initiatives:
- Osaka Prefecture (Mozuyan): In April 2016, the 'Mozutomo Agreement' was signed to strengthen safety awareness for the elderly. The creation of a dedicated helmet coincided with the prefecture's mandatory bicycle insurance policy.
- Ehime Prefecture (Mikyan): Known for the highest helmet usage rate in Japan, the company created a perfectly sized helmet for Mikyan after seeing SNS comments about a poorly fitting helmet. It was presented at 'Cycling Shimanami 2024' in October 2024.
- Hyogo Prefecture (Habatan): In March 2025, under a partnership agreement, the company donated 3,000 helmets to high school students commuting by bicycle and presented a custom helmet to Habatan alongside Governor Motohiko Saito.
- Kochi Prefecture (Kuroshio-kun): On April 6, 2026, during the Spring National Traffic Safety Campaign, a donation ceremony was held with Governor Seiji Hamada, accompanied by the signing of a business partnership agreement.
- Kanagawa Prefecture (Kanagawa Kintaro): A tripartite agreement was signed between the prefecture, the prefectural police, and OGK Kabuto on March 9, 2026. A presentation ceremony took place on May 3 with Vice Governor Yoshinori Hirata.
OGK Kabuto remains open to cooperation with any local government committed to bicycle and small mobility safety, aiming to provide support tailored to local characteristics and needs.
FAQ
オージーケーカブトは自治体とどのような連携を行っていますか？
自転車安全利用施策を進める自治体に対し、マスコットキャラクター専用ヘルメットの提供や、必要に応じた事業連携協定の締結、着用啓発活動への協力を行っています。
神奈川県との具体的な取り組み内容は？
2026年3月に神奈川県・県警・当社の三者で連携協定を締結し、5月3日にはPRキャラクター「かながわキンタロウ」に専用ヘルメットを贈呈しました。
兵庫県での高校生向けの支援実績はありますか？
2025年3月、兵庫県との事業連携協定に基づき、自転車通学を行う高校生に向けてヘルメット3,000個を寄贈しました。
愛媛県でのキャラクター専用ヘルメット製作のきっかけは？
SNS上で「みきゃんのヘルメットがズレる」という投稿を見た担当者が、適切なサイズを着用してほしいとの思いから提案し、2024年に寄贈が実現しました。
この取り組みの始まりは何ですか？
2016年4月、大阪府広報担当副知事「もずやん」がヘルメット着用啓発の広報リーダーに就任した際、専用ヘルメットの制作依頼を受けたことがきっかけです。