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Osaka's iconic Glico sign, showing a triumphant runner in red, white, and blue, was briefly replaced by a giant QR code in July. This unexpected change was part of an effort to reach out to young at-risk people who often gather beneath the sign, in an area known locally as "Guri-shita" (under the Glico sign). The QR code is connected to the Osaka Prefectural Police's LINE-based consultation service, which offers teenagers a quiet and convenient way to ask for help through their phones. Rather than focusing on enforcement, the move signals a growing push by local authorities to provide emotional and social support to struggling young people.
While the Glico sign in Minami is a major sightseeing landmark, it has also become a magnet for teenagers, some of whom are dealing with isolation, unstable family situations, or other difficulties. In recent years, the spot has seen a worrying rise in underage drinking, drug misuse—including abuse of non-prescription medicines, often referred to as "obado" (オーバードーズ)—and incidents of juvenile crime and exploitation.
While the Glico sign in Minami is a major sightseeing landmark, it has also become a magnet for teenagers, some of whom are dealing with isolation, unstable family situations, or other difficulties. In recent years, the spot has seen a worrying rise in underage drinking, drug misuse—including abuse of non-prescription medicines, often referred to as "obado" (オーバードーズ)—and incidents of juvenile crime and exploitation.
Drinking, Drugs and Despair Under Glico Sign
Osaka's iconic Glico sign, known for its triumphant runner against a backdrop of blue, red, and white, has taken on a new design this month. On July 18th, the display briefly transformed into a massive QR code—an initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable youth who gather beneath the sign, an...
newsonjapan.com