【Second Case in Kanagawa Prefecture】"Aiko Support" Remote Assistance Service for the Visually Impaired, "Inclusive Subscription Plan" Adopted by Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, has adopted the "Inclusive Subscription Plan" for "Aiko Support," a remote assistance service for the visually impaired. This plan allows users to access the service without cost and without regional restrictions, making Hiratsuka the second city in Kanagawa to implement it after Atsugi City. Provided by Prime Assistance, a SOMPO Group company, it aims to enhance the QOL and promote social participation for the visually impaired.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 01:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 17:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 17:34 (2 min after Collected)
Prime Assistance Co., Ltd., a member of the SOMPO Group (Representative Director and President: Gaku Okura, hereinafter "Prime Assistance"), provides "Aiko Support," a remote assistance service for the visually impaired. The "Inclusive Subscription Plan" for this service has been adopted by Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture (Mayor: Katsuhiro Ochiai, hereinafter "Hiratsuka City"). This "Inclusive Subscription Plan," which allows users to utilize the service without personal cost or regional restrictions, marks the second adoption in Kanagawa Prefecture, following Atsugi City, which was the first nationwide to introduce it last fiscal year. This advanced initiative by local governments to improve the QOL (Quality of Life) of visually impaired people is expanding its reach within Kanagawa Prefecture.
1. Background
Prime Assistance widely offers services to assist customers with all kinds of troubles in the world, such as car and home problems. In December 2021, we began offering "Aiko Support" with the aim of promoting social participation and improving the quality of life for the visually impaired. Visually impaired individuals may experience inconvenience in various situations, such as shopping and moving, due to limited visual information. Furthermore, many local governments face challenges such as a shortage of guides for "accompanying support" for the visually impaired and the necessity of advance reservations. Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (Representative Director and President: Koji Ishikawa, hereinafter "Sompo Japan") concluded an "Agreement on regional monitoring activities for a safe and secure city" with Hiratsuka City in February 2023, and a "Cooperation agreement for improving regional disaster prevention capabilities" in April of the same year, promoting collaboration to contribute to the realization of a safe and secure life for citizens. Based on these agreements, Sompo Japan and Prime Assistance have worked together to support the introduction of "Aiko Support" to further enhance citizen services and promote the creation of a city where all citizens, including those with disabilities, can live with peace of mind.
2. Overview of "Aiko Support"
This service provides visual information verbally by specialized operators through the camera feed of a visually impaired person's smartphone. Operators in a remote location guide users based on location information and video. To ensure safe use, the contact center is operated under strict personal information management, and responses are handled by specially trained operators. By providing visual information in a timely manner, the service aims to improve convenience in daily life and enable visually impaired individuals to act freely and confidently at any time.
For more details, please visit the Aiko Support website (◆).
3. Overview of Hiratsuka City's Remote Support System for the Visually Impaired "Aiko Support"
(1) Purpose of Introduction: To help resolve difficulties in social participation and daily life for visually impaired people.
(2) Eligible Users: Visually impaired residents of Hiratsuka City aged 18 or older (limited to those holding a physical disability certificate).
(3) System Service Area: Nationwide Japan.
(4) System Service Hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (including weekends and holidays).
(5) Maximum Usage Time per Person: 2 hours/month.
4. Overview of the "Inclusive Subscription Plan"
This plan involves a comprehensive contract between a local government and Prime Assistance, where the local government purchases user IDs for "Aiko Support" in bulk. The Inclusive Subscription Plan enables local governments to issue user IDs directly to residents, thereby providing prompt and uniform services. Furthermore, it allows for flexible system design and contributes to creating a city where everyone can live with peace of mind.
5. Future Outlook
Prime Assistance and Sompo Japan will build upon the cooperative relationship Sompo Japan has cultivated with Hiratsuka City. Through the provision of "Aiko Support" and by supporting access to visual information, they aim to expand the range of activities and choices for the visually impaired, promote social participation such as employment, and improve their quality of life. As the most reliable partners for realizing a happy and prosperous society and life, both companies will continue to face, walk with, and support individuals through various risks and physical and lifestyle anxieties, thereby contributing to the realization of a future overflowing with "safety, security, and health."
●SDGs goals primarily contributed to by this initiative
Keywords:
1. Background
Prime Assistance widely offers services to assist customers with all kinds of troubles in the world, such as car and home problems. In December 2021, we began offering "Aiko Support" with the aim of promoting social participation and improving the quality of life for the visually impaired. Visually impaired individuals may experience inconvenience in various situations, such as shopping and moving, due to limited visual information. Furthermore, many local governments face challenges such as a shortage of guides for "accompanying support" for the visually impaired and the necessity of advance reservations. Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (Representative Director and President: Koji Ishikawa, hereinafter "Sompo Japan") concluded an "Agreement on regional monitoring activities for a safe and secure city" with Hiratsuka City in February 2023, and a "Cooperation agreement for improving regional disaster prevention capabilities" in April of the same year, promoting collaboration to contribute to the realization of a safe and secure life for citizens. Based on these agreements, Sompo Japan and Prime Assistance have worked together to support the introduction of "Aiko Support" to further enhance citizen services and promote the creation of a city where all citizens, including those with disabilities, can live with peace of mind.
2. Overview of "Aiko Support"
This service provides visual information verbally by specialized operators through the camera feed of a visually impaired person's smartphone. Operators in a remote location guide users based on location information and video. To ensure safe use, the contact center is operated under strict personal information management, and responses are handled by specially trained operators. By providing visual information in a timely manner, the service aims to improve convenience in daily life and enable visually impaired individuals to act freely and confidently at any time.
For more details, please visit the Aiko Support website (◆).
3. Overview of Hiratsuka City's Remote Support System for the Visually Impaired "Aiko Support"
(1) Purpose of Introduction: To help resolve difficulties in social participation and daily life for visually impaired people.
(2) Eligible Users: Visually impaired residents of Hiratsuka City aged 18 or older (limited to those holding a physical disability certificate).
(3) System Service Area: Nationwide Japan.
(4) System Service Hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (including weekends and holidays).
(5) Maximum Usage Time per Person: 2 hours/month.
4. Overview of the "Inclusive Subscription Plan"
This plan involves a comprehensive contract between a local government and Prime Assistance, where the local government purchases user IDs for "Aiko Support" in bulk. The Inclusive Subscription Plan enables local governments to issue user IDs directly to residents, thereby providing prompt and uniform services. Furthermore, it allows for flexible system design and contributes to creating a city where everyone can live with peace of mind.
5. Future Outlook
Prime Assistance and Sompo Japan will build upon the cooperative relationship Sompo Japan has cultivated with Hiratsuka City. Through the provision of "Aiko Support" and by supporting access to visual information, they aim to expand the range of activities and choices for the visually impaired, promote social participation such as employment, and improve their quality of life. As the most reliable partners for realizing a happy and prosperous society and life, both companies will continue to face, walk with, and support individuals through various risks and physical and lifestyle anxieties, thereby contributing to the realization of a future overflowing with "safety, security, and health."
●SDGs goals primarily contributed to by this initiative
Keywords: