Itscom Launches 'MachiLink' Neighborhood Association App as Part of Regional DX Initiative, Following a Regional Industry-Academia Collaboration with Neighborhood Associations and Tokyo City University

Itscom Co., Ltd. (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; President: Mie Kanai; hereinafter, Itscom), as a company responsible for communication and broadcasting infrastructure along the Tokyu Line, has adopted the management philosophy of delivering “safety and comfort” to local residents and is promoting regional digital transformation (DX) initiatives. As part of this, it has developed the neighborhood association app “MachiLink” (hereinafter, this app) to digitally support the activities of neighborhood associations and neighborhood councils, and will begin offering the service from April 1, 2026.
URL: https://www.itscom.co.jp/lp/machilink/

## Shortage of Volunteers for Neighborhood Association Activities and Challenges in Information Dissemination such as Kairanban (Circular Notices) are the Background for Development

In recent years, neighborhood associations and councils have faced many challenges, such as a shortage of volunteers due to an aging population and an increase in dual-income households, and inefficient information dissemination reliant on paper-based circular notices and bulletin boards. A survey of 1.5 million households in the Itscom area revealed that the membership rate for neighborhood associations remained at 58%. The burden on neighborhood association officers is diverse, including event management, circular notice management, and disaster prevention drills. As the aging of local residents progresses, there is a demand for a system that can reliably deliver information even to residents who are unfamiliar with digital technology.
In response to these circumstances, Itscom developed this app with the aim of reducing the burden on officers in neighborhood association activities and promoting participation among all residents.

## Demonstration Experiment Conducted through Regional Industry-Academia Collaboration among Neighborhood Associations, University, and Itscom

Since November 2025, this app has been undergoing a demonstration experiment in a neighborhood association of approximately 1,300 households in Yokohama City, under a regional industry-academia collaboration involving the Urban Innovation Research Laboratory, Department of Urban Life Studies, Tokyo City University (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; President: Tomoya Noshio), and Itscom. By combining the regional challenges of neighborhood associations, academic verification and analysis by the university, and Itscom’s solutions and support, the aim was to establish a sustainable neighborhood association management model, leading to functional improvements and enhancements. This full-scale operation is now commencing.

## Supporting Neighborhood Association Operations through Digitalization of Kairanban and Member Management

This app comprehensively provides functions necessary for neighborhood association activities, such as the digitalization of bulletin boards and circular notices, information update and change procedures for neighborhood association members, a coupon issuance function usable at local shopping streets and regional events, and a disaster mode function including safety confirmation. This reduces the burden on officers, streamlines information dissemination, and provides a highly convenient environment for residents. Furthermore, we plan to sequentially add and expand functions in response to the needs of neighborhood associations and local communities, aiming for further improvement in convenience.

## MachiLink Features

### 1. Distribution and Confirmation of Circular Information
Information from traditional paper bulletin boards and circular notices can be viewed on smartphones, and past articles can also be checked. Notifications allow quick confirmation of distributed information, and app administrators (e.g., neighborhood association officers) can check read rates.

### 2. Distribution of Exclusive Coupons for Neighborhood Association Members
As one of the measures to promote daily app usage, a coupon issuance function exclusively for neighborhood association members has been installed. Original coupons can be issued in collaboration with local festivals, events, shopping streets, etc.

### 3. Information Distribution Notifications via LINE and Email
When circular information is distributed, notifications are sent via LINE and email, preventing users from missing information. Re-notifications can also be sent to unread members.

### 4. Online Registration Procedures
Easy registration applications can be made via LINE, etc., and users can start using the app immediately upon approval by the app administrator. Settings for initial usage surveys are also possible.

### 5. Online Management of Officer and Member Rosters
App administrators can manage officer and member rosters on the dashboard. Management and search are possible by arbitrary categories such as "position," "affiliated group," and "block/unit/district." *Various permission settings are available.*

### 6. Disaster Safety Confirmation, etc.
A disaster mode equipped with safety confirmation and emergency contact functions can be used, contributing to improving regional safety and security. It can also be utilized in disaster prevention drills, and past data of safety confirmation response results can be checked.

Furthermore, as a measure against the digital divide, Itscom is strengthening information dissemination by linking with its solution “TV Push.” “TV Push” is a service that automatically notifies users of “disaster information” distributed by local governments and familiar and useful “lifestyle information” through voice and on the TV screen. This time, circular information from neighborhood associations can now be displayed on TV. Residents who are not comfortable with smartphone operations or find it difficult to read on a smartphone screen can view circular information on a large TV screen.
URL: https://www.itscom.co.jp/service/tvpush/

Itscom will continue to promote initiatives including neighborhood association DX, aiming to realize “Circular Regional Co-creation” where people living in the region connect and value circulates.

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◆ About Itscom Co., Ltd.

Brand message: “Connecting with people, towns, and the world. Itscom”

Itscom is a Tokyu Group company that connects approximately 1 million households, mainly along the Tokyu Line, and provides essential social infrastructure services such as high-speed internet, mobile, cable TV, IP phone, and IoT. It also operates businesses for corporations (companies and governments), striving to create a rich living environment through various solutions such as dedicated line internet connection services, commercial Wi-Fi, digital signage, and regional BWA.

Representative: Mie Kanai, President and Representative Director
Location: Setagaya Business Square Tower 22F, 4-10-1 Yoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Shareholder: Tokyu Corporation
Company established: March 2, 1983 / Station opened: October 2, 1987
Capital: 5.294 billion JPY
Broadcasting Area: Tokyo (Shibuya-ku, Meguro-ku, Setagaya-ku, Ota-ku, Machida City), Kawasaki City (Takatsu-ku, Nakahara-ku, Miyamae-ku), Yokohama City (Aoba-ku, Midori-ku, Kohoku-ku, Tsuzuki-ku)
Business Activities: Telecommunications business under the Telecommunications Business Law, general broadcasting business (cable television broadcasting business) under the Broadcast Law, etc.
Service Website: https://www.itscom.co.jp
Corporate Website: https://www.itscom.co.jp/corporate/