Gas Stations Are More Than Just Fueling Spots! Usami Kōyu x Unko Drill Reveal the Hidden Role of Gas Stations in Supporting Communities

Bunkyosha Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Shuuki Yamaoka) has collaborated with Usami Kōyu Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Tsushima City, Aichi Prefecture; President & CEO: Tomoya Usami), a nationwide operator of gas stations and a key player in Japan’s energy infrastructure, to produce an educational booklet titled 'Unko Drill: Town Secrets – Gas Station Edition.' This booklet allows children to learn in a fun and engaging way about the roles of gas stations and the importance of energy.

Additionally, as a complementary experience, they have launched a puzzle game called 'Unko Panic Stand,' themed around working at a gas station.

This initiative uses the signature humor of the Unko Drill series to teach children—though familiar with gas stations—about aspects they may not know: how fuel supports daily life, safety measures protecting towns, and the critical role gas stations play as disaster relief hubs.

The story in the booklet begins when Unko Dog and Unko Cat become curious about the 'numbers' displayed on a gas station sign. Through quizzes and dialogues, children learn how gasoline prices are linked to global events and exchange rates, how most crude oil used in Japan is imported from overseas, and how fuel is safely stored in underground tanks.

The booklet also highlights that gas stations are not just places to refuel vehicles. During disasters, they become essential hubs for powering fire trucks, ambulances, and trucks delivering relief supplies. It explains features like backup generators and safety management systems, making visible the often-invisible infrastructure role of gas stations in a way that’s easy for children to understand.

The final spread includes fun, practical trivia illustrated with cartoons—such as 'the meaning behind the colors of fuel nozzles' and 'how to tell the side of your car’s fuel door from the dashboard arrow'—facts that make you want to share them on your next drive.

In the game 'Unko Panic Stand,' players take on the role of gas station staff, guiding incoming vehicles to the correct service areas—fueling, car wash, tire change—based on their needs.

By assessing each car’s request and managing congestion and safety within the station, players experientially learn that gas stations are comprehensive service centers supporting safe and reliable car lifestyles, not just fueling points.

By offering two entry points—'learning' through the booklet and 'experiencing' through the game—children can develop a closer connection to the work of gas stations and the importance of energy. This project aims to help children realize that the gas stations they see every day are, in fact, vital pillars supporting daily life, communities, and even lives.

Usami Kōyu plans to distribute the booklet to elementary schools across Japan upon request.

Bunkyosha will continue to develop initiatives that deliver 'essential learnings for life' to help children lead healthy and fulfilling lives.