Japan implements initiatives to boost youth blood donation

Efforts are underway across Japan to address a declining trend in blood donation among younger generations. In Yamagata Prefecture, the number of young donors has decreased by 20 percent over the last decade. To combat this, the Yamagata Prefectural Red Cross Blood Center is hosting seminars at high schools and transforming the SAKURAMBO blood donation room into a free space for students starting in May 2026 to create a more approachable environment.

In Hyogo Prefecture, a collaboration between Kobe Electronics College and the Hyogo Prefectural Red Cross Blood Center is utilizing design to engage youth. Students from the Industrial Design Department have developed three specific items to be used as donation mementos starting in summer 2026: an NFC-equipped keychain that launches the blood donation app, an amulet-style keychain, and umbrella markers featuring the character ‘Ken-ketsu-chan’. These initiatives aim to make blood donation a more familiar and integrated part of daily life for the younger population.