— Efforts to create a safe rugby environment —
N-PRO is pleased to announce that it has sponsored the S A FE (Sugadaira AED For Everyone) project, which aims to create a safe rugby environment in the Sugadaira Plateau in Nagano Prefecture.
The S A FE Project is an initiative led by the Japan Rugby Football Union Safety Committee, Toin University of Yokohama, Waseda University, and Kokushikan University Disaster Prevention Research Institute, among others, to build and operate a medical system to protect the lives of student athletes at the Sugadaira Plateau, where rugby training camps are held.
background
In 2021, an athlete suffered cardiac arrest during practice at Sugadaira Highlands. The athlete's life was saved thanks to the swift action of a bystander using an AED, but this incident highlighted the issues facing the medical system in sports settings.
To address this issue, the SAFE Project was launched in 2022 and is working with relevant organizations to carry out the following activities:
SAFE 's main initiatives
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Ensure that AEDs are installed and carried at all rugby grounds (approximately 100 grounds) in the Sugadaira Plateau
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Full-time operation of private ambulances (doctor cars) staffed by doctors, nurses, and paramedics
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First aid seminars for coaches and athletes
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Introduction of the "SAFE+ONE" campaign, a one-minute safety check before a match
These efforts have resulted in significant progress in the safety system. In particular, while it used to take more than 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive at the scene, the SAFE project has made it possible for ambulances to arrive at the scene and provide initial response in as little as seven minutes, resulting in effective improvements.
Regarding our sponsorship
As a company that develops and provides head protection products for sports, we recognize that ensuring safety in rugby is one of our most important issues.
We deeply sympathize with the strong sense of mission and responsibility that the medical professionals and student staff of the SAFE Project have in their work, and have therefore decided to support the SAFE Project with financial support. This funding will be used to help protect the lives of athletes, including operating a private ambulance (doctor's car) in Sugadaira and improving the medical system.
Conclusion
We hope to continue working with players, coaches, parents, educators, and everyone involved in rugby to create and develop a safer and more sustainable sports environment.
Furthermore, our sponsorship of the SAFE project is made possible thanks to the support and trust of all our loyal N-PRO users. It is your continued patronage of the N-PRO that has made it possible for us to participate in such a socially valuable activity.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported N-PRO on a daily basis.
If you visit Sugadaira, please take a look at the SAFE Project ambulance (doctor's car) and notices that are always on-site. We hope you will get a glimpse of how our "safety system" is functioning on-site.
We appreciate your understanding of the purpose of the SAFE project and your continued support.
*The contents of this release are based on information as of August 2025. They are subject to change in the future. Please note.
