ELEMENTS Inc. Announces Launch of AI Automatic Refueling Permit Monitoring System "AiQ PERMISSION" for Unmanned Self-Service Stations (SS)

ELEMENTS Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takaki Hasegawa; hereinafter "ELEMENTS") announces that it will begin offering the AI automatic refueling permit monitoring system "AiQ PERMISSION" for self-service stations (SS), which is currently under development with Cosmo Oil Marketing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Naoki Takayama), a group company of Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Shigeru Yamada), to SS nationwide. This system will enable AI to take over part of the tasks currently performed by employees at self-service SS.

AI Automatic Refueling Permit Monitoring System "AiQ PERMISSION" *Video of refueling scene available: https://elementsinc.jp/aiq-permission/

Reference: Press Release "Cosmo Oil to Adopt AI System for Safety Confirmation During Refueling" (March 31, 2025): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000017.000061051.html

**Background of Service Development**

The number of gas stations (SS) in Japan has been continuously decreasing since its peak of 60,421 at the end of fiscal 1994, reaching less than half at 27,009 at the end of fiscal 2024 *1.

[Transition of Number of Gasoline Retailers and Gas Stations] (2024 results)

While a decline in fuel oil demand is a major factor, in recent years, labor shortages and the absence of successors have also been cited as reasons for gas station closures. Particularly in depopulated areas, the closure of gas stations is seen as a "crisis for regional infrastructure" and has become a major issue *2.

To resolve these issues, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications began discussions on AI-supported refueling permit monitoring at self-service refueling facilities at the "Study Group on Smart Security for Hazardous Material Facilities, etc." in 2021 *3. This study group continued to be held for five years thereafter, and in March 2026, the "Report of the Study Group on Smart Security for Hazardous Material Facilities, etc." was compiled *4.

Against this background, since the deregulation of self-service refueling in 1998, refueling permits and monitoring at self-service stations have been mandatory to be performed by humans from a safety management perspective. However, with the legal amendment on February 27, 2026, regulations were relaxed, and the introduction of "automatic control devices" that meet certain conditions became permissible.

*1 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy "Transition of Number of Petroleum Product Retailers and Gas Stations (Registered Basis)" (July 30, 2026)

*2 Mainichi Shimbun "Car society, yet gas stations (SS) in Gunma are closing down; some municipalities have none" (May 24, 2025)

*3 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Press Release "Publication of the Report of the Study Group on Smart Security for Hazardous Material Facilities, etc. (FY2021 Report)" (April 20, 2022)

*4 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Press Release "Publication of the Report of the Study Group on Smart Security for Hazardous Material Facilities, etc. for FY2025" (March 25, 2025)

Reference: Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Results of Public Comment on the Draft Ordinance Partially Revising the Regulations Concerning the Control of Hazardous Materials, etc., and Promulgation of the Revised Ordinance, etc. – Establishment of Provisions for the Introduction of Conditionally Automatic Control Devices at Refueling Stations Where Customers Refuel Themselves (February 27, 2026)

Reference: Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Instruction No. 16 on Hazardous Materials: Enforcement of the Ordinance Partially Revising the Cabinet Order Concerning the Control of Hazardous Materials (February 25, 1998)

**Overview of AI Automatic Refueling Permit Monitoring System "AiQ PERMISSION" / Patent No. 7584211, Patent No. 7648314**

"AiQ PERMISSION" is a system where AI analyzes camera footage to automate safety checks and detect improper refueling at self-service SS. Development began in 2018, and after passing technical standard compliance tests, it is currently undergoing demonstration experiments at multiple stores. Based on camera footage capturing the refueler and vehicle status, the AI makes judgments and issues refueling permits if no risky behavior is detected. If risky behavior is detected, employees are warned or refueling is stopped.

This system enables labor savings at self-service SS and the shift of employees to higher-value tasks, and also leads to further safety assurance, such as preventing accidents and troubles caused by human error.

[System Operation Image]

[Benefits of Introducing "AiQ PERMISSION"]

1. Enhanced Safety Assurance

"AiQ PERMISSION" continues to monitor even after a refueling permit is issued. For example, it continuously detects fire hazards before and during refueling, ensuring a higher level of safety than monitoring solely by humans.

Demonstration experiments have been conducted at multiple stores, covering various scales and lane configurations.