Society < Customers and Business Partners >

The DAIICHIKOSHO Group is working to create safe and comfortable environments where anybody can enjoy karaoke as an accessible leisure activity. The Group is also actively tackling social issues through karaoke and music.

■Promoting health through karaoke

Supporting healthy lifestyles for the elderly

To prepare for Japan’s super-aging society, we developed and started promoting the DK ELDER SYSTEM in 2001 with the aim of using our core karaoke business to support the health of Japan’s elderly. The DK ELDER SYSTEM uses our DAM online karaoke machines to provide functional training programs and preventive nursing care. The system uses a wide range of content based on music, movement and visual stimulation, allowing staff to develop fun music-oriented health and fitness sessions that participants are likely to continue. As of June 30, 2021, more than 25,000 private nursing homes and public welfare facilities had introduced the system. We expect even more facilities to introduce the system going forward.
Our aim is to use the DK ELDER SYSTEM to help solve some of the issues faced by Japan's super-aging society.

< Number of facilities that have introduced DK ELDER SYSTEM >

< Initiatives in the elder business >

□Providing outsourced preventive nursing care services
The DAIICHIKOSHO Group provides fun and sustainable health and fitness programs for the elderly through its DK ELDER SYSTEM on an outsourced basis to a large number of local governments. In FY2019, we held more than 3,600 music-oriented health and fitness sessions for the following 59 local governments (cities, towns, villages and wards).

□Participation in government projects
(1) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: Project to create industries that extend healthy life expectancy

(2) Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: Super Professional High Schools

<em>□Participation in the Japan Music Health Association</em>
DAIICHIKOSHO led the establishment of the Japan Music Health Association in July 2014. The association was set up to harness the power of singing and music to help extend healthy life expectancy, a major issue facing Japan. As the main driver behind the creation of the association, DAIICHIKOSHO has been involved in various projects since it was founded.

Study into the effectiveness of karaoke in stress relief

DAIICHIKOSHO and NTT Communications Corporation conducted a joint study into the effectiveness of karaoke in reducing stress as part of stress management strategies to support company health management. The study was conducted between January 15 and February 28, 2018 and involved 121 employees of NTT Communications. Each employee was required to take part in karaoke at least once each week and sing for one hour or longer each time. Stress levels were monitored to detect any changes.
The study showed that negative feelings declined and positive feelings increased after karaoke sessions, leading to an improvement in stress levels that also increased motivation on a daily basis. Based on the results of the study, we plan to develop karaoke programs for corporate clients to help them maintain the mental and physical wellbeing of their employees.

■Supporting the healthy development of the karaoke industry

Working with the All-Japan Karaoke Industrialist Association (JKA)

We are working on a range of projects with the JKA, which was established to raise the presence of karaoke companies and develop the industry in a systemized way.

Working with the Japan Karaoke Box Association (JKBA)

We participate in activities organized by the JKBA, which was established to lead the development of safe and comfortable karaoke rooms and support the healthy development of Japan’s young people.

■Creating healthy, safe and comfortable karaoke rooms

Supporting the healthy development of Japan’s young people

All customers entering BIG ECHO karaoke rooms are asked to verify their age to ensure compliance with local government regulations on child protection and development and to prevent underage drinking and smoking.

Participation in "MIRAIRO ID"

MIRAIRO ID is a smartphone app for people with a registered disability certificate. Showing the MIRAIRO ID at public or retail facilities gives the holder the same discounts on goods or services as displaying their disability certificate.
In September 2019, BIG ECHO started offering 50% discounts on karaoke box hire to customers with a physical disability certificate, special education certificate or mental disability certificate.
Using MIRAIRO IDs streamlines the process, making it easier for people with disabilities to freely visit and enjoy karaoke at BIG ECHO.

Health management

We rigorously enforce hygiene standards to provide customers with safe and reliable products and services. In addition to regular hygiene checks, we are implementing the following measures at all our locations.

• ◇Gut microbe testing for all employees: Twice a year (four times a year for restaurant employees)


• ◇Site inspections by area managers: Twice a year


• ◇Kitchen hygiene checks by specialist contractors: Twice a year

Safety checks

During twice-yearly site inspections, area managers check fire prevention systems, evacuation routes and kitchen equipment to ensure the safety of customers and employees.