DAIWA TSUSHIN Brings 24/7 AI-Powered Unmanned Store to Rural Japan

DAIWA TSUSHIN Brings 24/7 AI-Powered Unmanned Store to Rural Japan

In the Shiraimine area of Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, depopulation is advancing rapidly. Local shops close early – often by 7 or 8 PM – and the nearest convenience store is a 40-minute drive away. Residents face serious challenges accessing daily necessities, especially at night.

A local resident shared, “There‘s nowhere to shop at night. I can’t drive an hour just for a convenience store.” The aging population – 45% are 65 or older – makes the situation even more difficult. Many seniors are unfamiliar with smartphone apps and digital technology.

Hakusan City Mayor Toshikazu Tamura recognized the urgent need: “The Shiraimine area has no convenience store, and local shops close early. We want to support residents’ daily lives with 24‑hour service.” Additionally, the area is a UNESCO Global Geopark, attracting tourists – making convenience for visitors another key goal.

DAIWA TSUSHIN, a Tokyo-listed security equipment company headquartered in Kanazawa, partnered with three other companies to launch a one-year pilot program starting January 8.

Cloudpick Solution

The pilot store, named “Motteke! Shiraimine Minna no Omise” (Motteke! Shiraimine Everyone‘s Store), uses Cloudpick’s AI camera technology combined with weight‑sensor shelves to enable a walk‑through, checkout‑free experience.

How it works:

Registration: Users download a dedicated app and register their credit card information and facial data in advance.

Entry: At the store entrance, customers simply hold their face over a tablet terminal. The gate opens automatically.

Shopping: The store offers products from eight local businesses, including daily necessities, groceries, and local specialties.

Exit & payment: When customers walk out, AI cameras track “who” took “what,” and shelf weight sensors detect item removal. The system automatically completes payment via the registered credit card. No cash, no checkout, no waiting.

Result

The store operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing round‑the‑clock access for the first time in this rural community.

Key outcomes:

• 24/7 access: Residents can now shop anytime – even late at night – without driving 40 minutes to a convenience store.

• Local products: The store carries items from eight local businesses, supporting the regional economy and offering unique specialties to tourists.

• Tourist convenience: As a UNESCO Global Geopark, the area attracts visitors who can now access essentials at any hour.

• Scalable model: The pilot runs until November of the following year, with plans to adjust product offerings based on sales data.

Challenges & adaptation: Many elderly residents expressed concern: “It‘s convenient, but I don’t know how to use the app. I‘ll need my grandchild to teach me.” To address this, students from Kanazawa Institute of Technology are on-site to help seniors with registration and store usage – making digital technology accessible to all.

Customer Testimonial

Toshikazu Tamura, Mayor of Hakusan City, said:

“The Shiraimine area has no convenience store, and local shops close early. We want to support residents’ daily lives with 24‑hour service. This is also a UNESCO Global Geopark, so improving convenience for tourists is another important goal. The system is simple and smooth – it feels strange to walk out without paying, but that‘s the future.”

A local business owner added:

“I’m also supplying products to the store. I‘m excited – I hope people will buy them. Sometimes we get emergency calls asking for something, and it’s stressful. This system makes it easier for everyone.”

Video

To see the DAIWA TSUSHIN unmanned store in action, watch the video below: