Jimoty Spot Becomes First in Japan to Launch Unattended Operation Trial at Funabashi Store Starting July

Jimoty Co., Ltd. will begin a trial of unattended operations utilizing smart lock technology at "Jimoty Spot Funabashi," operated in collaboration with Funabashi City, starting July 13, 2026. This marks the first time Jimoty Spot nationwide will implement such a system.

In addition to regular staffed hours (10:00 AM - 7:00 PM), the store will be accessible for unattended operation from 7:30 PM to 9:00 AM the following day, allowing entry and exit with a single smartphone (product purchases only; no drop-offs allowed).

Amidst ongoing price hikes, this initiative aims to improve the convenience of daily life for working generations who may find it difficult to visit during daytime hours, and to further expand the effects of waste reduction by providing an environment where they can purchase pre-owned items at any time.

Background of Implementation

The Consumer Price Index rose by 1.4% year-on-year as of April 2026, indicating a continued increase in prices. With prolonged inflation, interest in pre-owned goods as a means to reduce living costs is growing. Consequently, the number of users for Jimoty Spot, where pre-owned items can be purchased affordably, continues to increase. However, the Funabashi store's closing time of 7:00 PM presented a barrier for working generations juggling work and childcare.

Last fiscal year, Jimoty Spot Funabashi facilitated the reuse of over 74,000 items, achieving a waste reduction effect of 243 tons. To further promote waste reduction, an unattended operation trial during nighttime and early morning hours will be conducted to create an environment where working generations can "visit when they want to visit."

Unattended Operation System and Usage Flow

During unattended operating hours (7:30 PM - 9:00 AM the following day), customers can use the service by following these steps:

STEP 1 | Entry with Smartphone

Scan the QR code (*2) displayed at the store entrance with your smartphone to add Jimoty Spot as a LINE (*3) friend. Tap the "Unlock" button on the rich menu to unlock the smart lock and enter the store.

STEP 2 | Select Product

Choose your desired pre-owned item from those displayed in the store. Each item has a QR code, and you can complete your purchase by simply scanning it at the self-checkout terminal.

STEP 3 | Cashless Payment

Please make your payment using cashless methods (credit cards, transportation IC cards, QR code payments, etc.) at the self-checkout terminal.

STEP 4 | Exit

Once your payment is complete, you may leave the store (entry and exit records will be kept).

Location of Trial

Jimoty Spot Funabashi

Address

4-18-4 Shibayama, Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture

Trial Period

July 13, 2026 (Mon) - August 13, 2026 (Thu)

Staffed Hours

10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Unattended Hours

7:30 PM - 9:00 AM the following day (product purchases only; no drop-offs allowed)

Payment Methods

Cashless payments only during unattended hours

About Jimoty Spot

Jimoty Spot is a service that allows people within a community to exchange items that are "still usable but no longer needed." Those wishing to give away unwanted items can simply bring them to the store without reservation, connecting them to the next person who needs them. Those wishing to receive items can check product information on the local information site "Jimoty," view the items in person at the store, and then purchase or pick them up. The service broadly reuses "still usable items" that might otherwise be discarded due to low resale value, including items not accepted by recycling shops and even furniture that incurs high shipping costs.

【Three Benefits for Citizens and Municipalities】

<For those wishing to give away unwanted items>

- No reservation required, zero fees, reducing the hassle and cost of disposal as bulky waste.

<For those wishing to receive items>

- Can obtain pre-owned items at affordable prices or even for "free."

(e.g., Rice cooker for 300 yen, chair for 0 yen)

<For Municipalities>

- Effectively promotes waste reduction and resource circulation within the community by curbing waste generation.

Image of Jimoty Spot (photo shows a different store)

Waste Reduction Achievements Nationwide and Future Outlook

Based on the results of this trial, we will consider expanding similar initiatives nationwide to maximize waste reduction.

Jimoty has agreements with 308 municipalities nationwide for reuse initiatives, and operates Jimoty Spots in 40 of these municipalities. In 2025, a cumulative total of approximately 1.4 million items were reused across all nationwide locations, resulting in an estimated waste reduction of about 4,300 tons (*4). By 2030, we plan to expand Jimoty Spots to 329 stores. This is expected to achieve an annual waste reduction of approximately 84,000 tons (254 tons per store per year) (*5), which is equivalent to about 6% of the total bulky waste and clothing waste generated nationwide (*6).

Jimoty Spot will continue to strengthen collaboration with municipalities and local businesses, and by establishing hubs where anyone can easily reuse items, we aim to make the act of "giving away" as simple an option as "throwing away."

We will build a social infrastructure where reuse is the norm, making local life richer and more sustainable.

▼ Details of Initiatives to Promote Reuse in Collaboration with Municipalities

https://jmty.co.jp/ir/community/

*1 Statistics Bureau of Japan, "Consumer Price Index based on 2020 = 100, Nationwide, April 2026" (Released May 22, 2026) *2 "QR Code" is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.

*3 "LINE" is a trademark or registered trademark of LINE Corporation.

*4 Calculated from the average weight of unwanted items brought in and the number of items reused.

*5 Average performance of Jimoty Spot stores in 2025 (calculated from the month after opening, excluding periods with limited business days or certain small population areas).

*6 Annual collection volume of household bulky waste: approx. 860,000 tons (Ministry of the Environment, "Survey Results of General Waste Disposal Status, Fiscal Year 2023") + Combustible/non-combustible waste volume of clothing: approx. 480,000 tons (Ministry of the Environment, "Summary of the Report on Survey Business for Promoting Circular Fashion in Fiscal Year 2026 (Material Flow)")

【Municipalities Interested in Collaboration】

We welcome inquiries from local governments and companies nationwide considering promoting resource circulation and waste reduction within their regions.

Inquiry Form (for Municipalities Only)

【Seeking Jimoty Spot FC Franchisees!】

We are currently recruiting companies nationwide who deeply resonate with our philosophy and initiatives and wish to create highly community-contributing services as Jimoty Spot FC franchisees.

Won't you leverage local "mottainai" (wastefulness) to create new value?

Click here for FC Franchisee Inquiries