Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, Introduces "AI Phone Answering"

Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Head office: Koto-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Tadatoshi Kondo; hereinafter "the Company"), in collaboration with Tochigi Shinko Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Munehiro Kaneko), has introduced "AI Phone Answering" in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, with operations commencing in March 2026.

Nasu Town is promoting the "Nasu Town Digital Front Yard Reform Project" with the aim of improving convenience for residents and visitors, leveraging its regional strengths in tourism and relocation. This project is advancing the introduction of electronic applications, paperless counters, AI phone answering, and cashless payment options to reduce the time and travel burden associated with procedures that primarily rely on paper applications and cash payments.

Through the provision of the "AI Phone Answering Service" as part of this project, the Company has built a system where AI provides initial responses to common resident inquiries and, if necessary, transfers calls to the relevant department. This 24/7 initial response supports improved convenience for phone inquiries and operational efficiency.

【Background of Introduction】

Nasu Town has identified challenges such as limited reception hours dependent on opening hours and the significant burden of visiting due to the town's large area. Furthermore, with 30.2% of residents working in other municipalities, a certain number of residents are expected to find it difficult to visit during reception hours.

To address these challenges, the development of AI phone answering as a "digital information desk" where necessary information can be confirmed with a single phone call is underway.

【Overview of "AI Phone Answering"】

"AI Phone Answering" supports the efficiency of phone response operations and the improvement of resident services by having AI provide initial responses to resident phone inquiries and, if necessary, transferring calls to staff. Key features are as follows:

・24/7 Support: Provides initial responses anytime to common inquiries such as how to obtain a resident certificate, taxes, how to dispose of garbage, and opening hours.

・Answers with Latest Information: Reflects system revisions and provides answers based on the latest information.

・Automatic Transfer during Opening Hours: Even for content that cannot be resolved by AI, calls are automatically transferred to the appropriate department based on the conversation content.

【Future Developments】

The Company will continue to support the DX of local government counter operations, contributing to the improvement of resident services and the efficiency of staff operations. Furthermore, through the expansion of administrative DX solutions, including "AI Phone Answering," we will contribute to solving regional challenges and supporting sustainable local government management.

【Introduction and Roles of Companies Involved in This Project】

・Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd.: Established in 1950 as the second company of a former national policy company. It was founded as a company to maintain telecommunications infrastructure and later expanded its business into the high-frequency field using induction heating technology. For over 75 years since its establishment, it has been involved in various businesses utilizing radio waves.

・Role in this project: Responsible for the design, development, implementation, and technical support of the AI phone answering system.

・Head office location: Toyosu Urban Point, 5-5-13 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo

・URL: https://denkikogyo.co.jp/

・Tochigi Shinko Co., Ltd.: Established in February 1977, it is a system development company headquartered in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture. It provides comprehensive support from custom development to package implementation, infrastructure construction, and operation/maintenance, working to solve customer challenges.

・Role in this project: As the overall coordinator for this project, responsible for requirements definition and implementation promotion with Nasu Town.

・Head office location: 2628-7 Omiya-cho, Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture

・URL: https://www.t-shinko.jp/

Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd.

【Contact Information】 Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd. Management Planning Department, Management Planning Section Tel 03-3520-8322 Mail kouhou@denkikogyo.co.jp Website https://denkikogyo.co.jp/