As-Partners Concludes Business Matching Agreement with Hokuriku Bank

As-Partners Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Takeshi Uemura; hereinafter: the Company) announces that it has concluded a business matching agreement with The Hokuriku Bank, Ltd. (Head Office: Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture; President & CEO: Hiroshi Nakazawa) regarding customer referrals.

Through this partnership, the Company will be able to introduce its "Nursing Care DX Support Business" to corporate clients of The Hokuriku Bank, Ltd. By providing DX-driven productivity improvement support to address challenges such as labor shortages and operational efficiency faced by regional nursing care providers, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development of the regional economy and society.

■ Partnership with a regional financial institution deeply familiar with regional corporate challenges

In Japan, with the advancement of a declining birthrate and aging population, labor shortages and productivity improvement have become critical social issues for businesses responsible for nursing care, medical care, and community services. Particularly in the nursing care sector, the increasing burden on staff and the difficulty of securing human resources are becoming severe, necessitating efforts to improve operational efficiency and productivity through DX.

Hokuhoku Financial Group, to which The Hokuriku Bank, Ltd. belongs, has positioned DX support as one of the regional challenges to address in its "6th Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2025-FY2027)" within its regional revitalization strategy.

This partnership will create new support opportunities for regional nursing care providers by combining Hokuriku Bank's strong network with regional companies and our Company's on-site knowledge of nursing care operations and DX know-how. We will introduce our "Nursing Care DX Support Business" to The Hokuriku Bank, Ltd.'s corporate clients, thereby supporting regional companies in improving productivity and building sustainable management foundations.

■ What our Company can and will contribute

Our Company leverages the nursing care site knowledge and DX know-how cultivated through the operation of the "Asheim" series of nursing care homes to develop the "Nursing Care DX Support Business," which assists nursing care providers in improving operational efficiency and productivity.

In the nursing care industry, labor shortages and increased workload are major challenges, requiring reforms through process re-evaluation and the utilization of digital technology. This business supports DX promotion in nursing care settings through visualizing business processes, assisting in the introduction of ICT equipment, and providing OJT support aimed at on-site adoption. Through this hands-on DX support that stays close to nursing care sites, we will contribute to the sustainable management and service quality improvement of nursing care providers.

【Reference】Medical and nursing care collaboration DX reducing 110 minutes of work – As-Partners and Ito no Mori's initiatives featured in Elderly Housing Newspaper –

【Reference】About Nursing Care DX Support Business

■ About The Hokuriku Bank, Ltd.

The Hokuriku Bank, Ltd. is a regional bank headquartered in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, and is a constituent bank of Hokuhoku Financial Group, Inc., which is listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The group is one of Japan's leading regional financial groups with consolidated total assets of approximately 17 trillion yen, supporting the development of the regional economy, primarily in the Hokuriku region. In addition to banking operations, it provides comprehensive problem-solving services combining financial and non-financial aspects, utilizing diverse group functions such as leasing, securities, and consulting.

Location: 1-2-26 Tsutsumicho-dori, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture

Representative: Hiroshi Nakazawa, President & CEO

URL：https://www.hokugin.co.jp/

■ About As-Partners Co., Ltd.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary as a "lifestyle proposal company across generations," As-Partners is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market. It operates senior care, real estate, and nursing care DX support businesses. With a strong focus on DX, the company develops the IoT system "EGAO link®," AI-powered care plans, and BI tools, and provides nursing care DX support services to other corporations, undertaking initiatives to transform the industry.

Location: 2-2 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Takeshi Uemura, President & CEO (Vice Representative Director of the "National Association of Nursing Care Homes")

URL：https://www.as-partners.co.jp/

As-Partners' Nursing Care DX Initiatives (YouTube)