On the 10th, at AEON Mall Yono, Reds brand ambassador Okano Masayuki was appointed as the one-day police chief of Urawa Nishi Police Station and assisted in public relations activities for an anti-shoplifting campaign.



In January of this year, Urawa Reds signed an agreement with Saitama Prefecture and the Saitama Prefectural Police on crime prevention, and is carrying out social contribution activities to ensure a safe and secure community in its hometown, such as raising awareness of crime prevention in the area. In June, the club donated posters to the Saitama Prefectural Police to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal part-time work, and is carrying out various activities in cooperation with the Saitama Prefectural Police.

In Saitama Prefecture, the number of crimes has increased compared to last year, with many cases of bicycle theft and shoplifting occurring in particular. In response to this situation, Saitama Prefectural Police has designated July 7th to 13th, 2025 as "Shoplifting Prevention Week" and July 10th as "Shoplifting Prevention Day." This activity was carried out as part of the "Shoplifting Prevention Campaign" in cooperation with Saitama Prefectural Police, with the aim of preventing shoplifting and raising awareness of crime prevention.



Okano, who appeared at the venue dressed in a police uniform, was greeted with applause from the approximately 200 attendees, including shoppers at the shopping mall and fans and supporters wearing Urawa Reds merchandise.

First, the Chief of Urawa Nishi Police Station, Kenji Ikeda, gave a speech, after which the Chief of Urawa Nishi Police Station presented Okano with a letter of appointment as the Chief of Police for one day. Following this, a commemorative photograph was taken with the Chief of the General Affairs Division of Saitama Prefectural Police Headquarters, Wataru Fujiki, and the Chairman of the Saitama Prefectural Crime Prevention Association, Yoshio Matsunaga, who were also in attendance.









Okano, who took over as police chief for the day, said in his greeting, "It is a great honor to be entrusted with such an important and honorable job. I feel the same sense of responsibility as when I was carrying the Japanese flag. I will live each day with a sense of urgency, so that I can become the kind of person who can look around me and call attention to anything that I sense is 'wrong.'"
Afterwards, Okano was asked questions such as "What were your thoughts as the one-day police chief?", "What were your thoughts on wearing a police uniform?", and "What are your impressions of the anti-shoplifting poster that was created?", to which he responded with his usual humorous answers, which got the audience excited.



He then took part in a patrol within the store, distributing pamphlets and educational materials calling for the prevention of shoplifting, while also interacting with many customers, fans and supporters, thus concluding his duties as police chief for the day.









[Wataru Fujiki, Chief of the Public Safety General Affairs Division, Saitama Prefectural Police Headquarters]
"In your role as a brand ambassador for Urawa Reds, you have cooperated in crime prevention in various ways, and the police are very grateful for that. Shoplifting is a clear crime. It must never be overlooked. I would like each and every one of you to once again be aware of the attitude of 'don't shoplift, don't let others shoplift, and don't tolerate it.'"

[Masayuki Okano, Reds brand ambassador]
"I feel it is a true honor to have the opportunity to serve as police chief for one day. I also feel keenly the weight of the responsibility that comes with it. We live in an age where prices are rising and many people are struggling to make ends meet, but theft is a crime. Before taking that step, I would urge people to choose another path, such as by talking to someone about it.
The police uniform felt heavy and forced me to naturally sit up straight. I am very grateful to have had this valuable experience."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]