A Skin-to-Skin Contact Picture Book for Enjoying Touch Play with Rilakkuma: Baby Skin-to-Skin Contact Picture Book "Ta-cchi Tacchi Rilakkuma" to be Released on Wednesday, June 3!

San-X Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) announces that the 0-3 years old picture book "Rilakkuma Goyururi Skin-to-Skin Contact Picture Book: Ta-cchi Tacchi Rilakkuma," which allows you to play with your baby through skin-to-skin contact along with "Rilakkuma" and friends, will be released by KADOKAWA Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, hereafter KADOKAWA) on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Pre-orders are currently being accepted at bookstores and online stores nationwide.

◆ Bringing out the baby's "round smile"! A first book where parents and children can relax

This book is a book where you can play with your baby through skin-to-skin contact, together with the character "Rilakkuma" and friends, who are loved by everyone from small children to adults. Speaking of "Rilakkuma," they are always going at their own relaxed pace... Because it's such a Rilakkuma, this book was created with the hope that it will not only be a fun picture book time for babies, but also a relaxing time for parents in the midst of their dizzying childcare hours. Please enjoy the picture book relaxingly with your baby.

◆ Supervised by Dr. Hajime Yamaguchi, a leading expert in "touch science". Supporting growth scientifically

This book welcomes Professor Hajime Yamaguchi (J. F. Oberlin University), a leading expert in "touch science" who studies touch from both scientific and psychological aspects, as a supervisor, aiming to be a book that scientifically promotes development and attachment formation through skin-to-skin contact.

"Touch" is the earliest sense to develop among the five senses. Its stimulation is the key not only to nurturing a baby's brain and mind but also to scientifically deepening the bond between parent and child.

◆ Why is "skin-to-skin contact" important now?

The "happiness hormone" "oxytocin," which is secreted through physical contact, has many benefits for babies.

◎ Promoting attachment formation

⇒ A stable relationship of trust (attachment) is formed through skin-to-skin contact.

◎ Supporting brain development

⇒ Stimulation to the skin directly reaches the brain, and it is also attracting attention in terms of intellectual education, such as improving memory.

◎ A mind resilient to stress

⇒ It is said that children with a stable secretion of oxytocin are more likely to acquire the ability to overcome difficulties.

Furthermore, not only babies but also parents who are in contact can expect the secretion of oxytocin, which is said to have stress-relieving and refreshing effects.

◆ Excellent visibility! We drew a special Rilakkuma that babies can easily recognize.

To make it easy even for low-birth-weight babies to recognize, Rilakkumas using colors with strong contrast will rivet the baby's eyes.

In addition, it uses a calling phrase like "Ta-cchi tacchi" as if calling out to the baby, and repetitive words on a fun rhythm, so that parents and children can enjoy the book while getting excited. By all means, please enjoy skin-to-skin contact with your baby.

◆ Author Introduction

Text/Illustration: Pekori Hara

A picture book author with a childcare worker qualification. Mother of one child. Her works include "Slime Pipipi" (Square Enix), "Oshaberi Suki Suki," "Manmaru Sankaku Shikakkun" (Nagaoka Shoten), and others. A big lover of bread.

Supervisor: Hajime Yamaguchi

Professor, College of Liberal Arts, J. F. Oberlin University. Clinical Developmental Psychologist. Completed graduate studies at Waseda University. As a leading expert in "touch science" who studies touch from both scientific and psychological aspects, he conveys the effects of physical contact on the mind and body. Author of numerous books on oxytocin and attachment formation.

■ What is Rilakkuma?

A bear in a costume. Along with Korilakkuma and Kiiroitori, they continue to be taken care of at the house of an office worker, Kaoru-san. It is unknown who is inside. Rilakkuma's biggest interest is everyday meals and snacks. Favorite foods include pancakes, omurice, pudding, and dango. Chairoikoguma is a friend living in the Honey Forest.

▷ See more details https://www.san-x.co.jp/rilakkuma/profile/

▼ Rilakkuma Goyururi Site (San-X Net)

https://www.san-x.co.jp/rilakkuma/

▼ Rilakkuma Official X
https://twitter.com/rilakkuma_gyr

Click here for the Chairoikoguma 10th Anniversary Site

https://www.san-x.co.jp/rilakkuma/chairoikoguma_10th_anniversary/

Click here for Chairoikoguma Official X

https://x.com/Chairoikoguma_5?s=20

■ About San-X (https://www.san-x.co.jp/company/)

Continuing to create over 1,000 100% original characters, such as Rilakkuma, Sumikkogurashi, and Tarepanda, we deliver their mysterious charm all over the world through original products, licensing businesses, various events and promotions, videos, and more. Characters with an appearance that is cute, but with a surrealness that makes you chuckle, and a gentleness that snuggles up to and embraces your heart. San-X characters, which are more than just cute, are attracting many people.

©2026 San-X Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.