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Who Is Speaking from the Sign?
On warning signs in Japan, a police uniform feels natural to me, while a familiar character can make the words feel different.
I remember seeing drawings of police officers on road safety signs and construction notices in Japan. A warning from an officer in uniform felt natural to me.
I also remember seeing drawings that reminded me of Sazae-san and Pikachu, two characters from Japanese popular culture. I couldn’t tell whether the drawings were official, and the wording has faded from memory. But the images leave me with a question. Why does a warning feel different when it comes from a familiar character?
A Way into the Message
Aichi Prefecture says it uses characters and symbols, including a road safety mascot, to make messages about community safety and road safety more approachable. Aichi Prefecture
In 2023, JA Kyosai chose Detective Conan for a road safety campaign. Characters from the series appeared on station posters in six areas of Japan alongside reminders about topics such as phone use on the move and wearing helmets. The campaign also offered puzzles with recorded hints from the characters. The organisers wanted people to enjoy themselves while thinking about road safety. JA Kyosai campaign announcement
