IFME Promotes Children's Foot Health Through School 'Foot Measurement' Events

The children's footwear brand 'IFME' (Marubeni Consumer Link) conducted 'Foot Measurement Events' for all students at Toyosato Elementary School and Nichiei Elementary School in Toyosato Town, Inukami District, Shiga Prefecture, on May 7 (Thu) and May 8 (Fri), 2026, as part of its 'foot education' activities to support healthy foot development. Over the two days, a total of 363 children had their feet measured, and each received individual feedback. The event also featured a 'Sports Tag' class, with instructors invited from the Japan Tag Association.

Importance of 'Foot Education' for Growing Feet Children's feet grow rapidly from preschool to lower elementary school age, often leading to children wearing shoes that no longer fit. Ill-fitting shoes can cause deformities such as bunions and hammer toes, flat feet, and poor posture, and are known to negatively impact motor skills, balance, and daily activity levels.

With rising interest in 'foot education'—learning how to choose the right shoes—IFME held these measurement events to encourage children to think about their own foot growth. After measuring 363 students, the results were printed and returned to them. This allowed children to learn about their foot size, left-right asymmetry, and width, helping them understand the importance of selecting shoes that fit them properly. Teachers noted that the numerical results made it easier to explain foot conditions to parents.

Additionally, the 'Sports Tag' class provided an opportunity for children to enjoy full-body exercise, contributing to improved physical fitness as well as the development of decision-making and teamwork skills. The class was highly popular, with many children expressing a desire to play again or try it with their families.

IFME aims to use the insights gained from this initiative to inform future product development and communication efforts, continuing its commitment to supporting children's foot health and creating environments where they can enjoy physical activities with peace of mind.

Measuring 8 Key Factors for Individual Feedback Certified shoe fitters from the company manually measured each child's feet in a standing position. In addition to basic foot shape dimensions such as length, width, and girth, they measured the height of the scaphoid bone to assess the arch.

These measurements aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of foot characteristics—including width, thickness, and arch condition—rather than just the 'length' used as the standard for shoe selection, thereby enabling the selection of better-fitted footwear.

Individualized results were summarized on a special feedback card for each child. The card included measurement data, JIS-based girth classification (such as EEE), physical data (height/weight), a 'foot growth record graph' comparing current data to past records, and recommended shoe sizes and advice on 'how to choose shoes.' The content is designed to help children understand their own foot features and to prompt them to think about proper shoe selection alongside their parents.

About 'Sports Tag' While tag has traditionally been seen as mere play, it is now widely recognized as an effective activity for improving children's physical fitness.

1. Effect as Full-Body Exercise Tag involves running, escaping, and chasing, making it a full-body workout. This trains endurance, speed, and agility. Specifically, running at full effort improves cardiovascular function and overall fitness.

2. Improvement of Balance and Coordination Frequent sudden directional changes and braking movements improve balance and body control. Collaborating with friends also fosters teamwork and communication skills.

3. Activation of Brain Function Tag is said to be effective not only for physical fitness but also for brain activation. As the escaping side must predict the 'tagger's' movements, it trains logical thinking and decision-making. Exercise is also linked to improved cognitive function and learning outcomes.

4. Creating Opportunities for Outdoor Play In modern society, where opportunities for outdoor play are decreasing, tag plays a vital role as an accessible activity requiring no special equipment.

Event Overview Date: May 7 (Thu) and May 8 (Fri), 2026 Schools: Toyosato Elementary School and Nichiei Elementary School, Toyosato Town, Inukami District, Shiga Prefecture