To all members of the press
AUTHENTIC JAPAN Co., Ltd.
“Cocoheli” has been designated as a must-have equipment for the “2nd Oku Musashi Long Trail Race” long (105K) course.
This year, carrying will be compulsory at more than 10 trail running races nationwide.
……
AUTHENTIC JAPAN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Representative Director and President: Kazuso Kuga, hereinafter referred to as the “Company”), which operates the search service “Kokoheli” that locates missing people in the mountains and the sea, will We would like to inform you that the Cocoheli has been designated as a must-have equipment for the long (105K) course of the “2nd Oku Musashi Long Trail Race” to be held on Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th.
[Image: https://prtimes.jp/i/39904/43/resize/d39904-43-6214fc599a9134a2769e-0.png&s3=39904-43-c5d9eeb351aec16c6661b5a32e94b5c9-850×376.png ]
Regarding mandatory carrying in trail running races
Cocoheli is a mountain search service used by 170,000 people. By having a transmitter that sends out dedicated radio waves, users can pinpoint their location using “direct communication” between the transmitter and receiver in the event of a mountain distress, greatly reducing search time.
This year, Cocoheli has become compulsory for more than 10 trail running races, including the 2nd Oku Musashi Long Trail Race. Trail running is faster than mountain climbing, so there is a high chance that runners will veer off the race course before they know it. Additionally, as the course is long and puts a high stress on runners, there is the possibility of unexpected situations such as sudden illness or injury resulting in the runner becoming unable to move, leading to a mountain accident. Kokoheli’s high functionality was praised for its ability to prepare for such situations.
About “Oku Musashi Long Trail Race”
This is the second trail running race held this year. There are two events: the long (105K) course and the short (35K) course. Cocoheli was designated as the recommended equipment for each course at the first tournament. This year, it has been designated as essential equipment for long courses and recommended equipment for short courses.
Tournament website https://okumusashi105k-race.com/
Current status of mountain accidents
Mountain accidents in Japan are on the rise. According to the disaster statistics for July and August 2023, there were 738 incidents and 809 people lost, the highest number since statistics began. The number of mountain accidents per year has been increasing year by year, exceeding 3,000 in 2020. This is thought to be due to the increase in the number of mountain climbers and the aging of the mountain climber population.
National Police Agency website “Mountain and water disasters” https://www.npa.go.jp/publications/statistics/safetylife/sounan.html
This year, trail running races have made it compulsory to carry Kokoheli. Hasetsune CUP https://www.hasetsune.jp/topics/20240516.html
Oku Musashi Long Trail Race https://okumusashi105k-race.com/ DEEP JAPAN https://www.deepjapanultra.com/
The 4100D Mountain Trail in Nozawa Onsen https://s-mountain.com/nozawa/ TJAR https://www.tjar.jp/index.html
Hakuba International Classic https://s-mountain.com/hakuba/
Joshu Takenaka Sky View Trail https://skyviewtrail.com/
Niseko Expedition https://nisekoexpedition.jp/
Kamuro Trail Running https://www.kamuro-trail-running.com/
Koshu Alps Auto Route Challenge https://kousyu20171119.jimdofree.com/
Company Profile
AUTHENTIC JAPAN Co., Ltd.
Representative Director and President: Kazuso Kuga
Head Office: 1-6-15-4F Akasaka, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture URL: https://www.authjapan.com/
Business content: Development of mountain distress prevention system “Kokoheli” etc.
What is “Kokoheli”?
“Cocoheli” lends transmitters that emit dedicated radio waves to members, and in the event of a mountain distress, it dispatches privately affiliated helicopters with receivers, drones, and private ground search teams, and uses “direct communication between
transmitters and receivers.” This is a service that can significantly reduce search time by identifying the location of a climber. In mountainous areas where accidents occur, it is not uncommon for smartphones to have no signal reception. However, “Cocoheli” uses “direct communication” that does not rely on mobile phone
communication networks, making it possible to conduct searches quickly in mountainous areas. This high performance in “protecting lives” has been strongly supported by mountaineers, and the number of members has reached over 170,000.
Biography of Representative Director Kazuso Kuga
Born in Fukuoka in 1978. After graduating from Seinan Gakuin University, joined Panasonic Corporation. Seconded to UK subsidiary. After returning to Japan, he transferred to the product planning department and planned wireless equipment for North America. In 2012, he retired from the company and started AUTHENTIC JAPAN Co., Ltd. More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000043.000039904.html