[Nakagawa Hirotaka x Murakami Yasunari’s latest picture book] What do adults do on their days off? The unexpected and amusing picture book about work, “The Policeman’s Day at Work,” is now on sale!
Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. Press release: September 12, 2025 To Members of the Press [Nakagawa Hirotaka x Murakami Yasunari’s Latest Picture Book] What do adults do on their days off? The unexpected and hilarious picture book about work, “The Policeman’s Day” is now on sale! Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / President and CEO: Hiroaki Miyahara), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. Gakken (Shinagawa, Tokyo / CEO: Tatsuya Nanjo) released the picture book “The Policeman’s Police Day” on Monday, August 25, 2025.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-9d6f3d37bfbfb18187c62ecef9c9f92c-1200×700.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-98c1cdea8e711ee7ab6bb82c9584468c-977×1200.jpg ▲Cool police officer on the cover
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-a61fbcd67a125fa9c34a5f1b4618823d-1200×734.jpg ▲It’s a police officer
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-159e8115f80274530ede74070ef83868-1200×734.jpg ▲They help everyone, showing them the way and catching thieves.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-bde80ac2d95e1fb4bf8cffb106ee9373-1200×734.jpg ▲But actually, I love sweet things. Apparently, she eats parfaits on her days off.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-a2ce5df43aa9f874344c2e7c6c20e494-1200×734.jpg ▲This is Firefighter
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-9fb989b23033b8c5c339971f1efb28e7-1200×734.jpg ▲Great for rushing to fires and putting them out.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-4a0e2a447058baed01fbdf53aab56072-1200×734.jpg ▲But actually, I love bonfires! Even though I usually put out the fire. ■A humorous depiction of the differences between work days and days off for adults. Children see police officers, firefighters, and doctors every day. They look cool at work. But is that really how they are? Maybe they’re a little different when they get home? From this question, Hirotaka Nakagawa vividly depicts the differences between work days and days off for adults who work in close proximity to children, and the fascinating surprises. Not only does it show various jobs, but it also clearly shows the many facets of human beings. The illustrations are by Murakami Yasunari, who has been Nakagawa’s long-time partner on the “Peaman Village” series (Doshinsha). When Nakagawa wrote this work, he said, “No one else could have come up with the illustrations other than Murakami.” His first words upon seeing the rough draft were, “Just as you’d expect from Murakami.” He must have felt that he had properly grasped and expressed his intentions. It’s been 30 years since “Satsuma no Imo” (Doshinsha). As you’d expect from a long-time partner, he has beautifully expressed the story with witty illustrations. ■Comments have arrived from Hirotaka Nakagawa and Yasunari Murakami!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-0fef712aca0d42e07439bff3b1b93eed-2469×1397.jpg ★From Hirotaka Nakagawa Police officers, doctors, and firefighters all have tough jobs. Even people like that want to relax and take a breather on their days off. I’m sure that’s the case. At times like that, I imagine him making a mistake and getting scolded or disgusted by his wife. It’s a “gap.” You could call it “unexpectedness,” but it’s interesting. I’ve turned it into a picture book. Please enjoy the “unexpectedness” of various people. ★From Yasunari Murakami Until I finished drawing this picture book, I holed myself up in my studio, doing this and that. In the chapter about the policeman, while drawing the omelet rice on the table next to me, I suddenly had a craving for it. The bakery chapter made me suddenly crave salmon and freshly cooked rice. I also opened the can of seaweed on top of the doctor’s refrigerator… Every time I did that, I was full, and a nap on the sofa was heavenly. But then someone called out to me. “Just a little longer until the end of the day!” ■We’ve been receiving a lot of positive feedback from our monitor readers saying, “It was fun!” ◎I thought this was a really interesting picture book, as it gave us a glimpse into the daily lives of people who work in a variety of jobs that we don’t usually pay much attention to. My son, who is in first grade, said, “The principal must have a hard time working even on his days off,” and my son, who is in the second year of kindergarten, said, “I hope the bakery stays open (because he loves bread)” (laughs). (Mom of a boy in first grade and a boy in kindergarten) ◎ “Police Officers on the Road” really resonated with me as a dad. While most picture books focus on the work of police officers and
firefighters, I love how this one depicts police officers at home!! She was impressed by the comment. Finally, she said that it was really cool to see her father working, but then lying down when he gets tired at home. Her daughter also laughed when she said that the baker always only eats rice. (Mom of a 4-year-old girl) “The Policeman’s Day” is now on sale. It’s also perfect for reading aloud. Please read it with your child at home, nursery school, or kindergarten. [Author Profile] ★Hirotaka Nakagawa
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-2a6309c014080b6fb945d38059886425-800×1200.jpg Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1954. Singer-songwriter and picture book writer. He made his debut as a picture book author in 1995 with “Satsuma Sweet Potatoes” (illustrations by Murakami Yasunari, published by Doshinsha). He won the Japan Picture Book Award Grand Prize for “Cry” (illustrations by Naga Shinta, published by Kin no Hoshisha). His other works include the “Peaman Village” picture book series (illustrations by Murakami Yasunari, published by Doshinsha), “Hello Crocodile” (illustrations by Murakami Yasunari, published by PHP Institute), “What Time Is It, Mr. Wolf?” (illustrations by Yamamura Koji, published by Gakken), and “Tonda Tonda” (illustrations by Hasegawa Yoshifumi, published by Gakken). His songs include “Children of the World” and “Rainbow.” In 2023, he will appear in the musical “DADDY,” which is entirely composed of songs by Nakagawa. ★Mr. Yasunari Murakami
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-2e33ab060139ef20c4603184d840d84e-908×886.jpg photo Y.Tanioka Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1955. A nature-loving artist who develops a unique world through picture books, paintings, and more. He won the Graphics Award at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair for “Pink and Grandpa Snow” (Tokuma Shoten), “Presents” (BL Publishing), and “Welcome to the Forest” (Tokuma Shoten), the Gold Medal at the Bratislava International Children’s Book Fair for “Pink! Pearl!” (Tokuma Shoten), and the Grand Prize at the Japan Picture Book Awards for “Summer Pond” (Hikari no Kuni). His major works include “Waiting. (Kodansha), “Kumakun.” (Hisakata Child), and “Waku” (text by Shiono Yonematsu/Nobunkyo). ▶Official site:
https://www.y-murakami.com/ [Product Overview]
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8147/2535-8147-06658f0753b4523a19bca3dbeb2875ae-977×1200.jpg ■ “Police Officer’s Day” Text: Hirotaka Nakagawa, Illustrations: Yasunari Murakami Price: 1,650 yen (tax included) Release date: August 25, 2025 Format: 265 x 215 mm / 32 pages Digital version: None ISBN: 978-4-05-206163-9 Publisher: Gakken Inc. Gakken Publishing
Website:https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1020616300 [Click here to purchase this book] ・Amazon https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4052061632/ ・Rakuten Books https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18261087/ ・Seven Net
https://7net.omni7.jp/detail/1107625942
■Gakken Inc. https://www.corp-gakken.co.jp/ ・Representative Director and President: Nanjo Tatsuya ・Date of establishment: January 13, 2009 (trade name changed on October 1, 2022) ・Capital: 50 million yen ・Location: 141-8416 2-11-8 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo ・Business Description: Publishing and content business, global business, medical and nursing publishing content business, business for kindergartens and schools, classroom-related business, e-commerce and online business, and advertising business ■GAKKEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD. https://www.gakken.co.jp/ ・President and CEO: Miyahara Hiroaki ・Date of incorporation: March 31, 1947 ・Capital: 19,817 million yen ・Sales: 185.5 billion yen, 79 consolidated subsidiaries (fiscal year ending September 2024) Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (Stock Code: 9470) ・Address: 141-8510 2-11-8 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo ・Telephone: 03-6431-1001 (Main) ・Business Description: Holding company established in 1946, engaged in education, medical care, and welfare-related businesses. Education: Classroom and cram school operations, including “Gakken Classrooms,” Publishing and content operations, such as educational materials, Preschool and school operations, such as textbooks and childcare supplies, Medical and Welfare: Serviced housing for the elderly, Dementia group homes, Childcare support operations, such as nurseries and after-school programs, Global: Activities and operations in over 150 countries.