Towards a Society Where Everyone Experiencing Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Childcare Can Smile and Say They Are "In Great Shape"! Aoba's Challenge for the Future with Toko-chan Belt
Aoba Co., Ltd. announced its dream as part of "April Dream" to alleviate the physical and mental burdens during pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare through maternity and baby care products, aiming to realize a society where everyone can smile and feel "in great shape." The company is committed to promoting pelvic care and "marumaru childcare," expanding nationwide experience workshops, offering online learning, and strengthening medical collaboration.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 10:15
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 6, 2026 at 15:27 (125h 11m after Collected)
Our company endorses April Dream, an initiative to make April 1st a day for sharing dreams. This press release represents the dream of "Aoba Co., Ltd."
Aoba Co., Ltd. (Location: Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture; Representative Director: Kazuhiro Watabe), which develops, manufactures, and wholesales maternity and baby care products such as "Toko-chan Belt" and "Ohinamaki®", aims to realize a society where everyone can feel "in great shape!" both mentally and physically during pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.
■Our Dream
Our dream at Aoba is to create a society where everyone can confidently smile and say they are "in great shape!" during the major life event of pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.
We aim to spread the understanding that physical discomfort and mental burden do not have to be accepted as "unavoidable," but can be alleviated through appropriate care.
■Background of the Dream
In Japan, it is said that approximately 30-50% of women who give birth experience "maternity blues," and about 10-15% experience "postpartum depression."
While pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare are filled with joy and anticipation, they also demand adaptation to physical, mental, and social changes, and many people experience confusion and discomfort.
That is why we want people to know that 'when the body is well, the mind becomes lighter, and when the mind is lighter, childcare becomes happier.'
■Our Journey So Far
"I want to help pregnant and postpartum women suffering from back pain" —
Approximately 30 years have passed since the "Toko-chan Belt" was born from the passion of a single midwife.
Aoba has been providing gentle support to lighten the burden on mind and body through the promotion of "pelvic care" aimed at reducing minor troubles for pregnant and postpartum women, and "marumaru childcare" which supports the healthy growth of babies.
■Initiatives Towards Realizing Our Dream
(1) Logo Creation
With the wish that Aoba's products and care knowledge will become an "amulet" supporting the mind and body of pregnant and postpartum women, we have newly created a logo that embodies this dream.
(2) Nationwide Experience Workshops
To create an environment where pregnant women and their families can easily incorporate "pelvic care and marumaru childcare" into their daily lives, we are collaborating with expert instructors such as midwives to offer hands-on workshops nationwide.
"Toko-chan Pelvic Care Class"
We teach about body preparation for a comfortable daily life from pregnancy to postpartum, including how to wear the Toko-chan Belt and exercises to align the body.
＜Voices from Participants＞*Original text
I understood the importance of the pelvis. I felt refreshed after doing the exercises.
○"Pelvic Care Class" Information and Instructor Introduction
"Toko-chan Marumaru Sleeping Class"
We share methods and tips for baby care, such as comfortable ways to hold and lay a baby, and key points for breastfeeding posture.
＜Voices from Participants＞*Original text
It was my first time raising a child and I couldn't imagine it, but by actually holding the baby and using Ohinamaki, I was able to get a little bit of an idea.
○"Marumaru Sleeping Class" Information and Instructor Introduction
These classes are attended by many people as a place to learn practical content.
■Future Challenges
To deliver this care to even more people, we will expand our classes, provide online learning opportunities, and strengthen cooperation with medical institutions and local communities.
Furthermore, beyond the pregnancy and childcare periods, we will also focus on product development and information dissemination to support "beautiful and healthy body-building" for women of all generations.
■Finally
Transforming the time of pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare from "difficult" to "safe and enjoyable."
And moving towards a society where a comfortable daily life for both babies and parents is the norm.
We will continue to take steps towards this future through "pelvic care" and "marumaru childcare."
■Company Overview
Company Name: Aoba Co., Ltd.
Representative: Kazuhiro Watabe, Representative Director
Location: 4-6-1 Hishie, Higashiosaka City, Osaka 578-0984
Established: February 1997
Business Activities: Manufacturing and wholesale of maternity and baby care products
URL: https://tocochan.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tocochan_aoba/
FAQ
What specifically does Aoba's "in great shape" society aim to achieve?
It's a society where physical discomfort and mental burden during pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare are not accepted as "unavoidable," but can be alleviated through appropriate care.
What are "pelvic care" and "marumaru childcare"?
Pelvic care aims to reduce minor troubles for pregnant and postpartum women, while marumaru childcare supports the healthy growth of babies.
What initiatives will Aoba strengthen in the future?
Expanding experience workshops, providing online learning, strengthening medical and community collaboration, and developing health support products for women of all generations.