In this age when opportunities to meet with grandparents are becoming fewer and fewer, express your gratitude with a Magosha Letter!

Show your gratitude to your grandparents by sending "return postcards" via smartphone

"Magosha Letter"is a communication service launched by Japan Post on September 17th that uses photo postcards that can be easily sent from a smartphone.
We spoke with Shotaro Nakamura of Japan Post Co., Ltd. and Ryosuke Yoshitomi of McCann Erickson Inc., who planned and developed this service.

About Magosha Letter
　We have used the long-standing two-way communication tool of "postcards" as a new communication tool to connect grandparents and grandchildren.
　Grandchildren can easily send Magosha Letters (postcards) from the official website, and the recipients, grandparents, can receive the Magosha Letters (postcards) and write a reply while keeping the printed photo of their grandchild.

How did it come about?
　As the importance of healthy life expectancy increases, we believe that it may be becoming more difficult for family members, such as grandparents and grandchildren, to communicate casually. This is why we came up with the "Magosha Letter" service. Many people are unable to visit their hometowns even if they want to, so we hope that "Magosha Letter" will be used as a way to communicate between grandparents and grandchildren who live far away, or between parents and children.

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A postcard containing your registered message, photo, and other information will be sent to you.
Reaching Grandparents

My thoughts after learning about the service "Magosha Letter"

I live alone and can't see my parents or grandparents, and they don't have cell phones, so I've had almost no contact with them. Also, due to the effects of COVID-19, I haven't been able to visit them again, so I've been spending less time there. However, with this new service called "Magosha Letter," I can send messages and images to my grandparents, who I haven't been able to see in a while, and they reply, so I think it's really wonderful. It's always nice to receive a letter or a handwritten message, and because it's analog rather than digital, I think it's really appealing that you can display it. I'm going to use this opportunity to keep in touch with my grandparents. I also hope that "Magosha Letter" becomes a new custom, like "Respect for the Aged Day."

Hideki Anzai, 4th year student at Komazawa University

I thought it was a wonderful, loving thing for people who live far away from their hometowns, as it allows them to easily "visit" their loved ones. With just a smartphone, you can send a message immediately whenever you want, and it can be sent in a way that leaves the message in the recipient's hands. Grandparents and we have different ways of communicating with each other. I thought it was an easy-to-use and convenient communication method that matches the needs of us, the smartphone generation. I think it will encourage people to get in touch more with grandparents who they don't usually have much contact with, and it's perfect for today's age when there are fewer opportunities to "visit." I'd like to try using it as a surprise when it's difficult to visit in person and we haven't been in contact!

Aki Kawanami, 3rd year student at Tsuda University

In today's world, opportunities to meet with grandparents are becoming less frequent. Aiming to bridge this gap in Japan, a new service called "Magosha Letter" allows for exchanges using postcards. Designed for students who are no longer familiar with letters, Magosha Letter is easy to create online and even includes photos. It's a great way to express gratitude and share updates with those you don't get to see often. Imagine how delighted grandparents would be to receive a letter with a photo from their grandchild, and it makes me happy. I haven't seen my relatives in years, so this service was definitely one I wanted to try. I feel like opportunities to see relatives are becoming fewer, especially among students today, as more and more of them are living alone. In a world where everything is done via smartphone, why not express your gratitude using a physical, memorable letter?

Rene Kitajima, 2nd year, Bunkyo University

I can't even remember the last time I contacted my grandparents. I can't even remember the last time I sent them a letter. I'm not on bad terms with my grandparents, who live far away, and we sometimes see each other on occasions like Obon, but due to the impact of COVID-19, we haven't been able to see each other for a long time. Even a phone call, even something as simple as a simple "How are you?", is difficult to make. Magosha Letter is a perfect service for those who want to stay in touch with their grandparents and stay healthy, but struggle to communicate. Sending postcards with just a smartphone is easy, and receiving a reply is reassuring, knowing they're doing well. Unlike phone calls, there's no need to worry about time, and a reply postcard might even lead to another letter. I think it's a wonderful service that can help rekindle communication with grandparents, something that could be achieved with just a little encouragement. I'll give it a try!

Honoka Hama, 1st year student at Toyo University