"You Are a Great Genius Project" First Edition! "Insoles That Make Your Back and the Earth Happy" Renewed with New Packaging Featuring Children's Art

UPDATER Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Eishi Ohishi), which aims to update society through lifestyle, will launch the first initiative of its new project "You Are a Great Genius Project," which connects children's "expressions" to society. As part of this, the company will start selling new packaging for its "Insoles That Make Your Back and the Earth Happy," developed in collaboration with physical therapists, featuring art drawn by children from the NPO WooMoo, from Thursday, June 4, 2026.

Previously, for each pair of these insoles purchased, 500 yen was donated to the "Children's Drop-in Center Project" operated by WooMoo. In this new initiative, art drawn by the children who have spent time at these centers has been adopted for the entire product packaging.

This initiative embodies a cycle of mutual support, where children's free expressions reach society through the product, and the value generated is returned to creating spaces for children.

The packaging comes in four sizes (S, M, L/XL) with three different designs, each expressing the individuality and sensitivity of the children. It is a special, heartfelt package recommended as a Father's Day gift.

■ What is the "You Are a Great Genius Project"?

The "You Are a Great Genius Project" is a project that incorporates children's "free expressions," such as art and words, into UPDATER's products and services and delivers them to society.
While respecting the children's sensibilities, professional adults accompany them with respect, shaping their work into one-of-a-kind design products.

Furthermore, by returning a portion of the product sales to organizations working to create spaces for children and support their development, the project creates a sustainable cycle where "expression connects to society, and that value returns to the children."
The company plans to sequentially develop products and service plans that utilize children's art and words in the future.

You Are a Great Genius Project: https://www.updater.co.jp/news/pressrelease/20260603

■ Background

In recent years, in the Father's Day gift market, in addition to standard items like ties and alcohol, there is a growing need for "truly useful items" and "practical goods that show care for the recipient's health."

In fact, more people are choosing health goods and self-care items as Father's Day gifts, driven by the desire for "their father to stay healthy forever." It is understood that the reason these gifts are chosen is not just for convenience, but because the emotional value of "wanting to convey a feeling of care for their health" is emphasized*1.

Furthermore, in Japan, due to long working hours, aging, and lack of exercise, an increasing number of people feel strain on their feet during daily walking and standing. Particularly among men in their 50s to 70s, there is a growing need to make daily activities like walking and standing more comfortable*2 *3.
On the other hand, the younger generation is also increasingly conscious of "worrying about the health of parents living apart" and "wanting to give something truly useful," leading to a growing interest in "health gifts that will actually be used."

Against this backdrop, UPDATER wanted to add new value to insoles, a practical item that supports the feet, by incorporating "feelings for someone" and a "cycle of mutual support."

This product has a mechanism where 500 yen per pair purchased is donated to the "Children's Drop-in Center Project" operated by NPO WooMoo.
The children's drop-in centers run by WooMoo focus on providing a safe environment and opportunities for self-expression, especially for children who find it difficult to go to school. They also hold open days and events that local children can easily participate in, working to create community spaces where everyone can connect.

In this packaging renewal, the children who have spent time at these centers were themselves responsible for designing the product packaging.
Children who were once on the "receiving end of support" are now, through their own art, adorning a product that supports the daily lives of adults. The different designs for each size (S, M, L/XL) are imbued with the individuality and feelings of each child.

The goal is to create a society where support circulates, rather than being divided between "those who support" and "those who are supported."
This initiative embodies the desire to build a warm society by simultaneously delivering "feelings for parents" and a "system to support children's futures."

*1 Source: chichinohi.jp
Survey: "Would you like to give 'health and healing goods' for Father's Day?" | May 2026 |
https://chichinohi.jp/survey121/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

*2 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | 2022 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (Health Status of Household Members)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/k-tyosa/k-tyosa22/dl/04.pdf

*3 Japan Sports Agency | 2023 Physical Fitness and Athletic Ability Survey
Reports on decreased mobility and perceived burden on daily activities due to aging, lack of exercise, and work environment.
https://www.mext.go.jp/sports/b_menu/houdou/2023/jsa_00003.htm

■ Collaboration with NPO WooMoo

This project will be carried out in collaboration with NPO WooMoo, which works on creating children's drop-in centers and supporting child-rearing.

Since 2023, UPDATER has been collaborating with WooMoo through continuous support for its children's drop-in center project "Tsubame" and environmental improvement support for childcare facilities and places where children gather*4.
Through this, they have come into contact with the free ideas and expressions in children's daily lives and have engaged in dialogue about whether they could create a mechanism where children's own expressions deliver value to society, rather than just a "support/supported" relationship.

By combining the free expressions of children that WooMoo interacts with daily and UPDATER's know-how in product planning, business development, and social implementation, they will create new opportunities for children's expressions to reach society.

*4 UPDATER begins support for NPO WooMoo, which provides childcare support in Yokohama | September 2023 | https://www.updater.co.jp/news/pressrelease/20230919/

■ Packaging Renewal Overview

In this renewal, different designs by WooMoo's children have been adopted for each size: S, M, L/XL.
Each design incorporates illustrations and color expressions drawn from the children's free ideas, expressing themes such as "connection," "comfort," and "sense of accomplishment."
The world as perceived by the children, including relationships with people and nature, the kindness of a safe place to be, and the sense of accomplishment gained by taking time and effort, is imbued in each design.

■ Designs by Size

・S size (22-23.5cm):
[Theme] ∞ (Connection, Relationship, Infinity)
Keywords: Connection, Relationship, Infinity

・M size (24-25cm):
[Theme] Comfort
Keywords: Safety, Ease, Place to be

・L size (25.5-26.5cm):
[Theme] Sense of Accomplishment
Keywords: Completed, Growth, Confidence

・XL size (27-28cm):
[Theme] Connection
Keywords: Family, Bond, Gratitude