The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces is an organization which sustains peace in Japan.

Due to this fateful mission, hard inner discipline is expected of Self-Defense Forces officers. However, attitudes among the young have drastically changed and many no longer aspire to this profession.Our challenge was to refocus young people’s attention on the Self Defense Forces, and increase the number of applicants.As a solution, we created a mobile training application; 'Salute Trainer.''Salute Trainer' allows people to practice a "Salute" of Self-Defense Forces officers.A "Salute" is a very important action that expresses inner discipline in the military forces.

We launched 'Salute Trainer' on the anniversary of the Self-Defense Forces.At the same time, we held saluting events at military bases nationwide and produced original goods to support salute training.In addition, the ranks and evaluations of participants were monitored by JMSDF recruiters.Those who reached a certain rank received a recruitment e-mail, and even awards directly from JMSDF officials. 'Salute Trainer' was a "Stealth Recruitment Project."As a result, 100,000 participants, $3 million worth of free publicity with 0 media costs, No.1 application in the iTunes Apps Store, JMSDF applicants reached 113% compared to the previous year.

Our goals were to refocus young people’s attention on the Self Defense Forces, and increase the number of applicants with only a limited budget.

We created a mobile training application; 'Salute Trainer.''Salute Trainer' allows people to practice a "Salute" of Self-Defense Forces officers.We took accurate measurements from the perfect salute and programmed the results into the 'Salute Trainer.'We launched SALUTE TRAINER on the anniversary of the Self-Defense Forces.At the same time, we held saluting events at military bases nationwide and produced original goods to support salute training.In addition, the ranks and evaluations of participants were monitored by JMSDF recruiters.Those who reached a certain rank received a recruitment e-mail, and even awards directly from JMSDF officials. SALUTE TRAINER was a“STEALTH RECRUITMENT PROJECT”.

・Over 100,000 people participated in salute training. In total, 3 million salutes were performed across the country.・It generated over $3 million worth of free publicity with 0 media costs.・It was ranked the No.1 application in the iTunes Apps Store.

・As a result, JMSDF applicants reached 113% compared to the previous year.But most of all, SALUTE TRAINER succeeded in passing the spirit of the JMSDF to the younger generation.

Though at first glance they may seem far apart, we wondered: what is something that links the JMSDF and the younger generation? We found one solution to this question. It is an action which everyone has done at least once in their lives. That action is a "Salute."A "Salute" is a very important action that expresses inner discipline in the military forces. And also, a Salute is a familiar gesture to the civilian public and an element that links the JMSDF and the younger generation.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces is an organization which sustains peace in Japan.

Due to this fateful mission, hard inner discipline is expected of Self-Defense Forces officers. However, attitudes among the young have drastically changed and many no longer aspire to this profession. Furthermore, the national budget has been downsized and there were no media costs for recruitment of the JMSDF.So we needed to launch the PR campaign for the recruitment of the younger generation.