Hikone City Accelerates Local Government DX with Generative AI, Holds Partnership Agreement Ceremony with Anddot to Promote AX Produce
Anddot Co., Ltd. and Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, held a partnership agreement ceremony for the advancement of local government operations using generative AI. Since the agreement was signed in August 2025, approximately 300 Hikone City employees have been regularly utilizing AI, achieving results in operational efficiency and improved AI literacy. The goal for fiscal year 2026 is to establish Hikone City as a national model case for local government DX.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 16:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 07:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 08:52 (1h 51m after Collected)
Anddot Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yuta Ibaraki; hereinafter: Anddot), which operates the AX Produce business, announced that it held a "Partnership Agreement Ceremony for the Advancement of Local Government Operations through AI Utilization" with Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, on Friday, April 10, 2026. At this ceremony, a report on achievements since the partnership agreement was signed in August 2025, and a discussion and announcement of a concrete promotion roadmap for fiscal year 2026 were conducted.
What is the AX Produce Business: End-to-end support for business transformation utilizing AI from planning to implementation.
The AX Produce business is a comprehensive service that holistically produces business transformation utilizing AI (AX = AI Transformation) so that companies can achieve it in an ideal form. It is not limited to supporting the introduction of AI tools but is a comprehensive service that re-establishes a company's business model with AI as a premise, creating sustainable competitive advantages. After thoroughly interviewing management challenges and on-site business processes, we provide consistent accompanying support from the selection of optimal AI technology to implementation, and then to embedding and education within the organizational culture.
[Background] Accelerating generative AI utilization in local governments nationwide. The demand for accompanying support "beyond mere introduction."
According to a survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, approximately 30% of municipalities have already introduced generative AI for tasks such as meeting minute creation, and including those planning or considering introduction, the number exceeds half. In prefectures, 83.0%, and in ordinance-designated cities, 85.0% have already introduced generative AI, making its utilization a national trend in local governments.
On the other hand, many local governments face challenges such as "tools have been introduced, but are not being fully utilized on site" and "variations in employee AI skills." In this context, Hikone City signed a partnership agreement with Anddot in August 2025 and has been promoting initiatives aimed at establishing and permeating AI utilization throughout the entire organization, not just limited to tool introduction.
[Achievements] Approximately 300 Hikone City employees regularly utilize generative AI.
As a result of initiatives based on the partnership agreement, the following achievements have been confirmed in Hikone City:
- Achieved advanced operations such as creating parliamentary responses. AI utilization has enabled the creation of highly accurate response drafts that reflect intentions and accelerated internal information sharing.
- Systematically raised employees' AI literacy through a structured training program based on Anddot's proprietary AI Skill Pyramid®.
These achievements are the result of Anddot leveraging its expertise in generative AI utilization support, provided to over 300 local governments nationwide, and providing accompanying support tailored to Hikone City's on-site challenges.
[Roadmap] Outlook for Fiscal Year 2026: Making Hikone City a model case for local government DX nationwide.
At the agreement ceremony, a concrete roadmap for fiscal year 2026 was also announced. Hikone City and Anddot will further deepen their collaboration based on the following four pillars:
- Eliminating psychological and physical "distance": Positioning AI as a daily operational support tool to overcome employees'苦手意識 (aversion/weakness) and anxiety towards AI. Creating an environment where all employees feel AI is familiar.
- Human resource development for employees in an era where AI is naturally widespread: Providing educational advice and support in anticipation of organizational restructuring and changes in personnel allocation. Fostering next-generation DX promotion leaders.
- Making Hikone City a national model case: Disseminating successful examples to other local governments and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, contributing to work style reforms in local governments nationwide.
- Realizing a "supportive government office": Providing a friendly experience through AI where citizens of all generations feel the government office is close to them. Aiming to improve the quality of citizen services.
[Outlook] "Redefining the work that people should do." From the forefront of local government DX, to the nation.
Representative's Comment
Yuta Ibaraki
Representative Director, Anddot Co., Ltd. & Councilor, General Incorporated Association for the Promotion of Generative AI Utilization (GUGA), DX Producer for Fukuoka Prefecture
"The fact that the generative AI utilization rate among employees reached 300 people in just over half a year is solely the result of Hikone City employees earnestly addressing business improvements and proactively utilizing AI as 'a tool to make their work better.' In fiscal year 2026, we aim to further develop these achievements and disseminate Hikone City as a model case for local government DX nationwide. AI has the power to bridge the gap between administration and citizens, realizing a 'supportive government office' for all generations. Under the mission of 'redefining the work that people should do and creating a foundation where everyone can focus on more creative work,' Anddot will continue to fully accompany Hikone City's challenge."
Hikone Mayor's Comment
Kazunari Tajima
"At the time of generative AI introduction, there were concerns among employees like 'Will we be able to master it?' However, thanks to Anddot's careful implementation of practical training tailored to on-site operations, approximately 300 employees now use AI daily. Tangible results include significantly faster creation of parliamentary responses and improved internal information sharing.
What is the AX Produce Business: End-to-end support for business transformation utilizing AI from planning to implementation.
The AX Produce business is a comprehensive service that holistically produces business transformation utilizing AI (AX = AI Transformation) so that companies can achieve it in an ideal form. It is not limited to supporting the introduction of AI tools but is a comprehensive service that re-establishes a company's business model with AI as a premise, creating sustainable competitive advantages. After thoroughly interviewing management challenges and on-site business processes, we provide consistent accompanying support from the selection of optimal AI technology to implementation, and then to embedding and education within the organizational culture.
[Background] Accelerating generative AI utilization in local governments nationwide. The demand for accompanying support "beyond mere introduction."
According to a survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, approximately 30% of municipalities have already introduced generative AI for tasks such as meeting minute creation, and including those planning or considering introduction, the number exceeds half. In prefectures, 83.0%, and in ordinance-designated cities, 85.0% have already introduced generative AI, making its utilization a national trend in local governments.
On the other hand, many local governments face challenges such as "tools have been introduced, but are not being fully utilized on site" and "variations in employee AI skills." In this context, Hikone City signed a partnership agreement with Anddot in August 2025 and has been promoting initiatives aimed at establishing and permeating AI utilization throughout the entire organization, not just limited to tool introduction.
[Achievements] Approximately 300 Hikone City employees regularly utilize generative AI.
As a result of initiatives based on the partnership agreement, the following achievements have been confirmed in Hikone City:
- Achieved advanced operations such as creating parliamentary responses. AI utilization has enabled the creation of highly accurate response drafts that reflect intentions and accelerated internal information sharing.
- Systematically raised employees' AI literacy through a structured training program based on Anddot's proprietary AI Skill Pyramid®.
These achievements are the result of Anddot leveraging its expertise in generative AI utilization support, provided to over 300 local governments nationwide, and providing accompanying support tailored to Hikone City's on-site challenges.
[Roadmap] Outlook for Fiscal Year 2026: Making Hikone City a model case for local government DX nationwide.
At the agreement ceremony, a concrete roadmap for fiscal year 2026 was also announced. Hikone City and Anddot will further deepen their collaboration based on the following four pillars:
- Eliminating psychological and physical "distance": Positioning AI as a daily operational support tool to overcome employees'苦手意識 (aversion/weakness) and anxiety towards AI. Creating an environment where all employees feel AI is familiar.
- Human resource development for employees in an era where AI is naturally widespread: Providing educational advice and support in anticipation of organizational restructuring and changes in personnel allocation. Fostering next-generation DX promotion leaders.
- Making Hikone City a national model case: Disseminating successful examples to other local governments and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, contributing to work style reforms in local governments nationwide.
- Realizing a "supportive government office": Providing a friendly experience through AI where citizens of all generations feel the government office is close to them. Aiming to improve the quality of citizen services.
[Outlook] "Redefining the work that people should do." From the forefront of local government DX, to the nation.
Representative's Comment
Yuta Ibaraki
Representative Director, Anddot Co., Ltd. & Councilor, General Incorporated Association for the Promotion of Generative AI Utilization (GUGA), DX Producer for Fukuoka Prefecture
"The fact that the generative AI utilization rate among employees reached 300 people in just over half a year is solely the result of Hikone City employees earnestly addressing business improvements and proactively utilizing AI as 'a tool to make their work better.' In fiscal year 2026, we aim to further develop these achievements and disseminate Hikone City as a model case for local government DX nationwide. AI has the power to bridge the gap between administration and citizens, realizing a 'supportive government office' for all generations. Under the mission of 'redefining the work that people should do and creating a foundation where everyone can focus on more creative work,' Anddot will continue to fully accompany Hikone City's challenge."
Hikone Mayor's Comment
Kazunari Tajima
"At the time of generative AI introduction, there were concerns among employees like 'Will we be able to master it?' However, thanks to Anddot's careful implementation of practical training tailored to on-site operations, approximately 300 employees now use AI daily. Tangible results include significantly faster creation of parliamentary responses and improved internal information sharing.