Is that nurse costume okay? Use of the Red Cross mark is actually prohibited - Japan Red Cross warns against Halloween

Halloween is on the 31st and many people enjoy dressing up in costumes. Nurse uniforms are particularly popular, but it is actually prohibited for the general public to use the Red Cross symbol, which is a symbol to protect lives, without permission. The Japanese Red Cross Society is warning people not to use it lightly.

The Red Cross mark was established by the Geneva Conventions as a mark to indicate ``people and facilities that must not be attacked'' in times of war or conflict. The Red Cross Emblems Act also stipulates that anyone other than the Japan Red Cross or those who have obtained permission may not use the symbol without permission, and violating the law will result in imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to 300,000 yen.

Akihiko Saito, chief of planning at the Japanese Red Cross, emphasized, ``The Red Cross symbol is not a medical symbol. It is the last lifeline in an emergency.'' The Japanese Red Cross has been calling for caution on social media every Halloween since 2022, saying that if the term is misused during normal times, its original meaning will be diminished.

There are no exact colors or shapes for the Red Cross mark. This is to avoid being attacked because it is not always possible to draw accurate marks in battle or chaos. Marks in red-based colors such as pink or similar crosses in different shapes are prohibited. In addition to nurse uniforms and caps, care must also be taken when decorating medicine cabinets.

Marie Moon, a cosplay specialty store with stores in Akihabara, Tokyo, and Shanghai, China, has 40 types of nurse uniforms for Halloween this year, and uses heart symbols and syringe props to express the nurse-like character. A representative from the operating company said, ``We knew that we were not allowed to use the Red Cross symbol, but after seeing the JRCS warning, we want to be careful again.''