A 5-year-old Shiba Inu in Japan has once again stolen hearts after being reappointed as a police public relations dog.
The adorable dog, named Mamesuke, was reappointed by Yokkaichi Minami Police Station in Mie Prefecture, Japan, to continue helping with community safety campaigns.
Reappointed for another year
According to Chunichi Mie Service Center, Mamesuke was reappointed during a ceremony held at Yokkaichi Minami Police Station on April 3, 2026.
During the ceremony, the station chief handed the appointment certificate to Mamesuke’s owner, Keigo Saito, who is the head of the Oyamada police box under the station.
Mamesuke, a male Shiba Inu, is 5 years old and is known for his friendly personality.
Helps with traffic safety and fraud awareness
Mamesuke has reportedly been serving as the station’s public relations dog since 2023.
His duties include helping with school route patrols, promoting traffic safety, and appearing in videos that raise awareness about scam prevention.
According to a 2025 report by YOU Yokkaichi, Mamesuke has also stood at intersections with Saito to help watch over children’s traffic safety and promote crime prevention.
The same report said he had appeared in safety slogans such as “Don’t get into accidents, wan,” a wordplay using the Japanese sound for a dog’s bark.
Became popular among locals
Mamesuke first started staying at the Oyamada police box with Saito in April 2023.
Although Saito had initially brought him along to ease the loneliness of working away from home, Mamesuke’s calm and friendly nature soon made him popular among local residents and schoolchildren.
After people in the community began noticing him, Mamesuke started joining local traffic safety and public awareness activities.
Saito said Mamesuke has helped bring people closer to the police box, with more residents visiting because they wanted to meet him. He also described Mamesuke as not only his companion in life, but also his partner at work.
Still reporting for duty
Following his reappointment, Mamesuke is expected to continue joining public safety activities in Yokkaichi.
Chunichi Mie Service Center reported that he was scheduled to take part in traffic guidance near the Oyamada police box on April 9, 2026.
