The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun
Takarazuka cops make dance video warning about scams
TAKARAZUKA, Hyogo — A unique video in which about 100 police o cers dance to a lively samba-style song is in production, in an appeal to the public to protect themselves from special fraud.
Takarazuka Police Station of the Hyogo Prefectural Police started making the video to reduce the number of fraud victims by communicating their message in an easy-to-understand manner. e video is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.
e music is an original composition written and composed by Tsukasa Kimura, who is head of the Community Safety Division and also plays in a rock band as a hobby. Seeking to catch the attention of elderly people, in May he wrote a song that includes lyrics about the tactics used in scams. e lyrics have sentences such as, “If it feels suspicious, call your family or the police, send an SOS!”
e dance video was choreographed by Sergeant Noriko Habuchi. She said she wanted to make it enjoyable for everyone from children to the elderly.
e police o cers have been recording the dance in between their duties. Even stern-faced of
cers are seen posing and making heart shapes with their hands while smiling bashfully. Takakiyo Tamura, the chief of Takarazuka Police Station, even took the lead in the performance.
A er the video is done, it will be shown at security classes for the elderly and also be distributed on the Hyogo prefectural police’s YouTube channel. (July 27)