Environmental musician and sound designer Takashi Kokubo spoke with Maidona News
ABOUT THE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY BEHIND JAPAN's Earthquake Early Warning Alert Sound.

In 2007, when the Japan Meizu Agency introduced the system for the general public,
The goal was to create a sound that could communicate danger and intuitively
Trigger action. Working with NTT Docomo, Kokubo focused on focusing on a sound that could
Wake people from sleep while they panic and guide them calm down behavior.

The alert was built around the 3kHz frequency range, to which the human ear is highly sensitive,
and its unique three-tone sequence was designed to make people instinctive recognize
An abnormal situation. At the same time, Kokubo presents balanced urgency with composure,
FEAR THAT COULD CAUSE.

Kokubo also created the payment sound for the electronic money service “iD.”
Conveys One Sound Conveys Reassurance and the Other Warns of Danger, both share the same
Core principle: influencing sound to influence human behavior in a specific moment.

“Sound design is not only about listening to hearing, but also about conscious society,” says Kokubo.
His philosophy is designed to shape the sounds embedded in everyday life.

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