Pikachu, Snorlax Named Official Sleep Support Ambassadors; Move by Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry Aims to Encourage Healthy Rest
In a charming and strategic move to encourage healthy sleeping habits, Pikachu and Snorlax — two beloved characters from the globally popular Pokemon franchise — have officially been appointed as 'sleep support ambassadors' by the government.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry spearheaded this initiative, which leverages the appeal of these iconic figures to encourage people, especially children, to develop better sleep habits.
The characters are expected to participate in various public awareness events, adding a fun, recognizable element to the important message that everyone needs to get enough sleep.
The ministry recommends nine to 12 hours of sleep for elementary students, and eight to 10 hours for junior and high school students, to maintain good health.
Since last fiscal year, the ministry has been collaborating with the Pokemon Company, which publishes 'Pokemon Sleep,' a smartphone game that tracks the user's sleep. Together, they have created brochures and other materials to encourage adequate sleep.
On Thursday, the day of the announcement, Snorlax and a nightcapped Pikachu visited the ministry and received their letters of appointment from Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Takamaro Fukuoka.
'We hope to continue working with the health ministry to positively change sleep habits,' said Pokemon Company Representative Director Takato Utsunomiya.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Pikachu, Snorlax Named Official Sleep Support Ambassadors; Move by Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry Aims to Encourage Healthy Rest
In a charming and strategic move to encourage healthy sleeping habits, Pikachu and Snorlax — two beloved characters from the globally popular Pokemon franchise — have officially been appointed as 'sleep support ambassadors' by the government. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry spearheaded this initiative, which leverages the appeal of these iconic figures to encourage people, especially children, to develop better sleep habits. The characters are expected to participate in various public awareness events, adding a fun, recognizable element to the important message that everyone needs to get enough sleep. The ministry recommends nine to 12 hours of sleep for elementary students, and eight to 10 hours for junior and high school students, to maintain good health. Since last fiscal year, the ministry has been collaborating with the Pokemon Company, which publishes 'Pokemon Sleep,' a smartphone game that tracks the user's sleep. Together, they have created brochures and other materials to encourage adequate sleep. On Thursday, the day of the announcement, Snorlax and a nightcapped Pikachu visited the ministry and received their letters of appointment from Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Takamaro Fukuoka. 'We hope to continue working with the health ministry to positively change sleep habits,' said Pokemon Company Representative Director Takato Utsunomiya.
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Kyodo News
Japan work-related mental illness cases top 1,000, record for 6th yr
KYODO NEWS - 3 minutes ago - 20:17 | All, Japan The number of mental disorder cases recognized as work-related in Japan rose by 172 in fiscal 2024 to 1,055, marking a record high for the sixth straight year, the government said Wednesday, with harassment by superiors cited as the leading cause. Of the total, 88 cases involved suicides or suicide attempts in the fiscal year that ended in March, up nine from the previous year, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said. Physical and verbal harassment by superiors accounted for 224 cases of mental disorders, followed by significant changes in workload or job duties at 119. Abuse by customers, including physical and verbal violence against workers, was the third most common cause of mental disorders, with 108 cases reported and 78 involving women. Harassment by customers was added to the list of incidents eligible for workers' compensation due to mental stress starting in fiscal 2023. "There are a certain number of workers who are under strong stress due to human relationships within their workplaces and to changes in the environment," a ministry official said. By occupation, the highest number of workers' compensation cases for mental health issues was among those in social security and welfare, totaling 270 cases. By age, 283 cases involved people in their 40s, 245 in their 30s and 243 in their 20s. The number of applications filed for workers' compensation due to mental illness hit a record high of 3,780, up 205 from the previous year, according to the ministry. Related coverage: Japanese kids' mental health ranks poorly among rich nations: UNICEF Japan to mandate protective steps for firms against abusive customers
4 days ago
Japan Consumer Affairs Agency Names 6th Straight Female Head
News from Japan Society Jun 24, 2025 18:27 (JST) Tokyo, June 24 (Jiji Press)-- Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency said Tuesday that it has named Natsuko Horii, 58, a senior official at the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, as its next commissioner. Horii, director-general for human resources development at the ministry, will become the sixth consecutive woman to lead the agency to succeed Yutaka Arai, who will leave the position on July 1. After entering the former Labor Ministry, now integrated into the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, in 1990, Horii has held positions including deputy governor of Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, and chief of the ministry's Employment Environment and Equal Employment Bureau, before assuming the current post in July 2024. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
