In many cities in Japan, before the sun sets, a music is played through loudspeakers using a “public address system,” calling to children to go home.

You can hear what it’s like from the following audio file.

This is Matsudo City Office.
All the children playing outside, it’s about time to go home now.
Be careful with cars and go home in groups.
Adult citizens, let’s keep an eye on children and make sure everyone is safe.

The announcement time differs depending on the season; it is currently scheduled at 4:30 pm in our city, but it can be 5:00 in some other cities.

Children playing in the park or outside all start going home when they hear this music and announcement.

The way they go home reminds me of the time when I was a kid, about thirty year ago?
It has not changed at all.

But there is only one thing I can see has changed.

They sometimes announce that someone, like an elderly person, missing, and they call for witness information.
Most of the time, they just walk off from their homes and get lost somewhere without any intent.

This makes me feel that our society is aging rapidly.