OSAKA, Aug 01 (News On Japan) –
Osaka’s iconic Glico signal, identified for its triumphant runner in opposition to a backdrop of blue, crimson, and white, has taken on a brand new design this month. On July 18th, the show briefly reworked into a large QR code—an initiative aimed toward supporting weak youth who collect beneath the signal, an space generally often called “Guri-shita” (beneath the Glico signal).
The QR code hyperlinks on to the Osaka Prefectural Police’s LINE session service, permitting younger folks to hunt recommendation or assist discreetly through smartphone. This marks a part of a broader effort to not solely crack down on criminality but in addition present emotional and social assist.
Minami’s Glico signal is greater than a vacationer attraction—it has grow to be a casual gathering spot for teenagers, some grappling with isolation and troubled house lives. However, the positioning has additionally seen a rise in underage consuming, drug misuse together with over-the-counter abuse (often called “overdosing” or “obado”), and instances of juvenile crime and exploitation.
In response, Osaka City put in a wall beneath the sign up March to forestall loitering. But many younger folks noticed the transfer as disruptive. One teen mentioned, “If they build a wall, we’ll just move somewhere else.” As anticipated, teams of teenagers have since relocated roughly 300 meters away to a special space known as “Uki”.
On the evening of the report, cops had been patrolling the realm. Teens interviewed expressed a mixture of worry, distrust, and ambivalence about grownup intervention. “When you’re alone, it’s hard to go home. But it’s dangerous here too,” one mentioned. Many admitted feeling safer with their friends regardless of the dangers.
Recognizing the necessity for extra accessible assist, the police teamed up with native highschool college students from Kojima Technical High School to develop the QR system. Scanning the code prompts an AI chatbot that responds to questions and, if wanted, supplies the telephone quantity for the Green Line, a direct counseling hotline.
Since the QR code went reside on July seventh, the variety of consultations has greater than doubled, rising from 7 to 16 in comparison with the identical interval final yr. Police officers expressed gratitude to the scholars at a ceremony, acknowledging their function in creating an answer that teenagers may truly use.
Teens on the road responded with amazement upon seeing the Glico signal reworked. “No way. That’s crazy,” one mentioned. “This is the Glico sign… on the river in Osaka. That’s wild.”
Yet regardless of some optimism, others voiced skepticism in regards to the adults behind the initiative. “It’s like all the adults are doing different things that don’t connect,” a scholar remarked. “To be honest, I don’t know what they’re trying to achieve.”
The initiative underscores the rising demand for trust-based outreach efforts. As one official famous, “Coming here isn’t inherently bad. If you’re struggling, talk to us.”
Source: KTV NEWS