HOUSEI's Unmanned Store Solution Enables Smart Unmanned Operations at 36 Sanyodo Bookstore Locations

HOUSEI Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Jun Tajika; hereinafter: HOUSEI), a provider of AI facial recognition solutions, announces the launch of its "Unmanned Store Solution" at two additional Sanyodo Bookstore locations: Sanyodo Bookstore Shirotsuka (Tsu City, Mie Prefecture) and Sanyodo Bookstore Komeno (Komeno City, Aichi Prefecture), operated by Sanyodo Bookstore Co., Ltd. (hereinafter: Sanyodo Bookstore), a subsidiary of Sanyodo Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Mizuho-ku, Nagoya; President and CEO: Kazuhiro Kato; hereinafter: Sanyodo).

With this expansion, as of June 29, 2026, 36 out of Sanyodo Bookstore's 66 stores have adopted smart unmanned operations since launching in April 2024, further contributing to labor-saving, operational efficiency, and sales growth in bookstore management.

Sanyodo Bookstore Shirotsuka Store Operating Hours from June 8, 2026

Regular (staffed) hours: 10:00–21:00

Smart unmanned hours: 21:00–24:00

※ Unmanned closing

Sanyodo Bookstore Komeno Store Operating Hours from June 29, 2026

Regular (staffed) hours: 9:00–21:00

Smart unmanned hours: 21:00–24:00

※ Unmanned closing

Comment from Sanyodo Bookstore

"Smart unmanned operations" allow us to move beyond the trend of shortened business hours that has continued since the pandemic. We envision our stores as exciting, vibrant spaces that visitors can enjoy at any time of day, enabling new book discoveries without worrying about time. We plan to open additional stores with "smart unmanned operations" in the future.

Status of "Smart Unmanned Operations" at Sanyodo Bookstore

Currently, 36 out of 66 Sanyodo Bookstore locations have achieved smart unmanned operations using HOUSEI's AI facial recognition entry system "WelcomID."

• 24-hour smart unmanned stores

Honshin, Yomogi, Shimoe, Toyokawa, Hekinan, Yamato, Hishino, Minokamo, Handa,

Toki, Umizuka, Takatomi, Motosu

• Smart unmanned closing stores

Shioka, Yoro, Obama, Ikusawa, Nakatsugawa, Nabari, Kogusayama, Hozumi, Shinkaihara,

Komagane, Shiyama, Tarui, Omi-Hachiman, Nagara, Hoshikawa, ★Shirotsuka, ★Komeno

• Smart unmanned opening & closing stores

Seki Higashi, Shinkomi, Kiyosu, Kakamigahara, Akurosu Plaza Ena, Mizunami Central

About HOUSEI's "Unmanned Store Solution"

HOUSEI's "Unmanned Store Solution" is a labor-saving store operation support service leveraging AI (artificial intelligence) and IT. HOUSEI proposes this solution to address various challenges such as non-face-to-face service, work-style reforms, and labor shortages. Through solutions including facial recognition automatic door unlocking, web member reservation services, monitoring services, and unmanned payment systems, HOUSEI enables unmanned operations across diverse industries including bookstores, gyms, and secondhand clothing stores. The solution has already been adopted by multiple companies in addition to Sanyodo Bookstore.

In Tokyo, an indoor golf practice facility equipped with simulation golf systems has achieved fully unmanned 24-hour operations, including member reservation management and entrance doors that unlock only during reserved time slots. HOUSEI is currently seeking sales partners and installation partners for this solution.

For more details, please visit the URL below:

https://www.housei-inc.com/lp-mujin

A top executive interview between Kazuhiro Kato, President of Sanyodo, and Shoko Kwan, President of HOUSEI (at the time), is available at the link below:

https://www.housei-inc.com/insight/interview-2024-10-04

Overview of Sanyodo Holdings Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 18-22 Shinkai-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya

Representative: President and CEO Kazuhiro Kato

Sanyodo Holdings: https://ir.sanyodo.co.jp/

Sanyodo Bookstore: https://www.sanyodo.co.jp/

Overview of HOUSEI Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 2-2-1 Kanda Nishiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (WeWork inside KANDA SQUARE, 11th floor reception)

Representative: President and CEO Jun Tajika

URL: https://www.housei-inc.com/

WelcomID Unmanned Store: https://www.housei-inc.com/lp-mujin

As a partner in realizing AX, HOUSEI aims to advance Japan's AX transformation, with core businesses in media, professional services, products, and logistics DX.

HOUSEI promotes open innovation and is seeking partners, including joint development and sales agency collaborations.