With the new school year just around the corner in April, many manufacturers of school supplies are introducing a slew of new products with the latest designs and gadgets.
The average family will spend between 100,000 yen and 150,000 yen on school supplies and clothing before a child enters elementary school, according to Benesse Corp., a company providing correspondence courses.
Kyowa Co., a Tokyo-based school bag maker, is marketing a bag with a personal alarm that makes a loud noise when its string is pulled. The alarm is located on the strap across the chest so it can be easily used in an emergency.