Akatsuki Electric Works Starts Demonstration Experiment for Self-Service Electronic Money Charging with Gift Certificates

Akatsuki Electric Works Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture; President: Masato Sugiyama; hereinafter "Akatsuki Electric Works"), in cooperation with S.B. Systems Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Tatsuya Masuda; hereinafter "S.B. Systems") and Maruto Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture; President: Hiroshi Ajima; hereinafter "Maruto"), has started a demonstration experiment at Maruto stores from April 1, 2026. This experiment enables charging electronic money "CoGCa" with gift certificates by linking a charging machine and a gift certificate reader. In this demonstration experiment, Akatsuki Electric Works' developed "Electronic Money Charging Machine (AES-PRM)" and "Gift Certificate Reader (AES-GTR)" are connected to S.B. Systems' electronic money system "CoGCa." By processing gift certificates (including gift cards and exchange tickets; hereinafter "gift certificates") through self-service operation, the experiment verifies labor savings for stores and improved customer convenience. In the retail industry, the introduction of self-checkout registers is rapidly progressing with the aim of labor saving and improving customer convenience. On the other hand, when using gift certificates, employee assistance is often required due to operational restrictions and the complexity of verification work, and in some cases, their use at self-checkout registers must be restricted. These issues are among the challenges in realizing efficient store operations and a smooth shopping experience. Against this background, Akatsuki Electric Works is considering providing a new system that allows gift certificates to be charged as electronic money. Through this initiative, we aim to complete gift certificate usage, which traditionally required human intervention, through self-service operation (without staff intervention), thereby achieving further labor savings for stores and improved customer convenience. Furthermore, by enabling smooth completion of gift certificate usage even in a self-checkout environment, in addition to labor savings for stores, improved customer convenience is expected. Moreover, by establishing an environment where gift certificates can be used as electronic money, the need for users to "use them up quickly" can be linked to creating reasons for来店 (store visits), and "promoting repeat usage" is also expected by continuously using the remaining balance with the store's electronic money. This is also expected to contribute to business growth, such as increasing store visit frequency and expanding purchasing opportunities. In addition, by converting to electronic money, customers can use the amount of the gift certificate flexibly without waste, and stores can expect improved cashier operations efficiency and reduced operational burden. Furthermore, the accumulation of electronic usage data contributes to the development of more advanced marketing strategies and the optimization of customer experience. Akatsuki Electric Works, as a manufacturing company with over 55 years of history, has provided high-quality cash handling equipment such as electronic money charging machines, automatic payment machines, and automatic foreign currency exchange machines. Under the spirit of "Leave it to us. It's ARUNAS.", we pursue quality and reliability, contributing to the improvement of social convenience. Moving forward, we will continue to work on improving convenience for businesses, stores, and customers through further innovation in cash management solutions and cashless solutions. ■ Electronic Money "CoGCa" Charging with Gift Certificates Provides a function for users to charge with gift certificates, verifying improvements in employee tasks and store operation efficiency. ■ Stores Conducting the Demonstration Experiment Store Name | Location | Business Hours ---|---|--- Maruto Kubota Store | 3-1-2 Kubota Jujo, Nakoso-machi, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture | 9:00-21:30 Maruto Nakaoka Store | 6-1-8 Nakaoka-machi, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture | 9:00-23:00 ■ Demonstration Experiment Period From April 1, 2026~ *The content, contact information, and other information published in the press release are current as of the announcement date. Please note that they may change without prior notice thereafter. About Akatsuki Electric Works Co., Ltd. Akatsuki Electric Works is a manufacturing company with over 55 years of history, handling cash-related equipment such as electronic money charging machines, automatic payment machines, and automatic foreign currency exchange machines. Under the "ARUNAS" brand, it provides high-quality and reliable products, contributing to the improvement of social convenience. Headquarters/Factory: 281-1 Yamadera-cho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture Representative Director and President: Masato Sugiyama Business Description: Planning, development, design, production, and sales of various systems and equipment applying microelectronics and microcomputers. Established: May 1, 1969 Official Website: https://arunas.co.jp Contact Information Akatsuki Electric Works Co., Ltd. Sales Division Phone Number: 077-563-6161 (Headquarters) / 03-3836-9700 (Tokyo Branch) Email Address: info@arunas.co.jp Contact Form: ht