NEC and Mori Building Launch Frictionless Customer Experience Service Using Facial Recognition at Azabudai Hills

NEC (Note 1), in collaboration with Mori Building Co., Ltd. (Note 2), will launch a frictionless customer experience service at Azabudai Hills Cafe (Note 4) starting April 1, 2026, leveraging the NEC Face Link Service (Note 3) platform to seamlessly connect services through facial recognition. This initiative will feature both a "Facial Recognition Payment Service" and a "Facial Recognition Coupon Service," promoting the creation of enhanced customer value through integrated, face-authenticated service implementation.

• Facial Recognition Payment: Utilizing NEC's "Bio-IDiom" core technology—the world's No. 1 (Note 5) facial recognition technology—this service allows users to complete payments simply by standing in front of a register after pre-registering their face and credit card information. It provides a secure, simple, and convenient payment experience that requires no smartphone and works even when wearing a mask or hat.

• Facial Recognition Coupon: This service verifies ownership of benefits or rights via facial recognition, offering a smooth and premium experience. (Initially, coffee coupons will be sold, allowing purchasers to receive coffee hands-free without waiting.)

A "Campaign Period" will be held from April 1 to April 30, during which users of the service will receive points and tickets usable at Mori Building facilities. Furthermore, from April 1 to April 7, a special pop-up cafe will be set up at Azabudai Hills Cafe to demonstrate the frictionless experience—eliminating the need to take out wallets, wait in lines, and offering special benefits—and to assist with pre-registration.

Objectives of this Service

• Increase awareness of NEC's facial recognition platform

• Validate the value of the facial recognition platform

• Conduct repeatable value verification

• Create usage opportunities for registered users from other events, such as the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament (Note 6)

Gift Campaign (Note 7)

Period: April 1, 2026 – April 30, 2026

Details: Users who register for facial recognition and utilize the payment or coupon services will receive Hills Points or shopping tickets.

Pop-up Event (Note 7)

Period: April 1, 2026 – April 7, 2026

Details: A promotional campaign at the reserved Azabudai Hills Cafe to showcase the frictionless experience.

Future Expansion

Following this launch, NEC will continue to expand the areas and scope of services utilizing the NEC Face Link Service, contributing to the realization of "delight" for both consumers and businesses.

This service is also currently provided at events such as the NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament.

[Notes]

This press release is based on current plans and is subject to change.

(Note 1) NEC Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takayuki Morita)

(Note 2) Mori Building Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Shingo Tsuji)

(Note 3) The name "NEC Face Link Service" is currently pending trademark registration.

(Note 4) Azabudai Hills Cafe https://www.azabudai-hills.com/shop_list/2002.html

(Note 5) "Bio-IDiom" is the collective name for NEC's biometrics technologies, including face, iris, fingerprint, palm print, finger vein, voice, and ear acoustic authentication. NEC has achieved No. 1 rankings multiple times in benchmark tests conducted by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (NIST evaluation results do not constitute an endorsement of any specific system, product, service, or company by the U.S. Government.)

(Note 6) NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf Tournament: https://jpn.nec.com/nec-karuizawa72/index.html

(Note 7) This campaign is based on plans as of March 30, 2026, and is subject to change.

＜Contact for Inquiries＞

NEC 2nd Retail Solutions Division

E-Mail: [email protected]