Photo= The Shiba Inu dog "Ayaka" was appointed "Gakudo Keikai-ken" (Senzoku, Miwa-cho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture)

A Shiba Inu dog named "Ayaka" that is popular with local children in Miwa-cho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, was appointed "Gakudo Keikai-ken," or a guard dog for schoolchildren, by Fukuchiyama Police Station on September 11. A special doghouse that imitates a police box was set up along a school-commute road, where she watches over children on their way home from school.

Ayaka is a three-year-old female dog. Her daily walk with her owner coincides with the time students leave the neighboring Hosomi Elementary School, which has deepened her rapport with the school's pupils. In addition, the children have great trust in her. Hoping that the dog can play a part of monitoring activities, local police box staff drew up this plan.

At the appointment ceremony, the dog was presented a handmade blue bandana and a hat, with "POLICE" printed on both. A crowd of kindergarten pupils who gathered looked trustfully at Ayaka with her lively expression of "Ganbaru-wan" or "I'll do my best." ("Wan" is the sound of a dog's bark in Japanese.)