Makitori by STORES Launches Automatic Translation Feature for Video and PDF Manuals

STORES Inc. (hereinafter 'STORES'), which supports the digitalization of stores, has started providing a function to automatically translate store training manuals (videos and PDFs) into over 70 languages on its store management platform 'Makitori by STORES' for multi-store operators.

This function supports video subtitle settings, voice generation based on subtitle text, and automatic translation of video and PDF manuals. Against the background of labor shortages and the increasing recruitment and acceptance of foreign staff at store sites, it facilitates smooth multilingual information transmission and training, promoting understanding of store operations and improving operational quality.

This feature has been pre-introduced at all stores of 'Raamen Hanamaru Arashi' operated by the food service chain GlobBeat Japan Inc., and is being used for foreign staff training and standardization of store operations.

・Supported languages: English, Simplified Chinese, German, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Burmese, Nepali, Mongolian, and more, covering over 70 languages.

▼ For more details on Makitori by STORES: https://www.makitori.jp/

Background

In many industries including food service, accommodation, and retail, the employment and utilization of foreign staff are rapidly expanding due to serious labor shortages. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of foreign workers in Japan reached a record high of approximately 2.57 million (※1). Furthermore, in April 2027, a new system 'Development and Employment System' is scheduled to be implemented to expand the acceptance of foreign human resources (※2), and the importance of mechanisms to support the development and retention of foreign talent is expected to increase further.

On the other hand, at the actual sites, in addition to language barriers such as difficulty in reading and writing Japanese (※3), many operators face challenges in accurately understanding and permeating unique business terminology and store operations.

In response to this background, STORES has started providing a function that automatically translates videos and PDF manuals into multiple languages to support smooth multilingual information transmission at the site.

※1 Summary of notification status of 'Employment Situation of Foreigners' by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (as of end of October 2025) ※2 Regarding the Development and Employment System by JITCO ※3 Survey on Employment and Human Resource Development of Foreign Workers by the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (published 2024)

What this function can achieve

(1) Automate the creation of multilingual manuals

Automatic translation of store training manuals (videos and PDFs) into over 70 languages reduces the effort of creating materials from scratch for each language, significantly reducing the burden on head offices in manual creation.

(2) Eliminate variations in training due to language barriers

Supports reliable information transmission to foreign staff, promoting understanding of store operations and achieving uniformity in operational quality.

(3) Centralize store management tasks in one place

From delivering multilingual manuals to on-site execution confirmation, reporting, and store communication, all are centralized on 'Makitori by STORES'. This reduces information dispersion and training burden caused by using multiple tools, improving productivity for both head offices and sites.

Client comment

Comment from Raamen Hanamaru Arashi Mr. Kobayashi, Deputy Manager of Product Development Division at GlobBeat Japan Inc.

'Currently, amid the increasing employment of foreign human resources due to labor shortages, multilingual manuals and homogenization of understanding through video tools have become urgent. Among many similar services, 'Makitori' covers workflows, store visit check functions, and even communication tools between employees, covering all operations in one service, which was the deciding factor for adoption. The support for introduction is also substantial, with dedicated staff assigned until service start, assisting with account issuance, manual migration, and operation explanations for staff, giving us peace of mind and making us glad we adopted it.'

Details of this function

Start date: June 2026

Target: Operators who have contracted 'Makitori by STORES' and applied for the relevant optional function

Option fee: Please inquire (separate basic usage fee for Makitori by STORES is required)

Main additional functions:

- Video subtitle settings - Voice generation based on subtitles - Automatic translation of video and PDF manuals

Supported languages: Over 70 languages (English, Simplified Chinese, German, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Burmese, Nepali, Mongolian, etc.)

Details of Makitori by STORES: https://www.makitori.jp/

Makitori by STORES, as a platform that centralizes information transmission and business management between head offices and stores in multi-store operations, will continue to expand its functions to support improved productivity and smoother store operations in store sites such as food service and retail.

About Makitori by STORES

Makitori by STORES is a store management platform for multi-store operators. It enables centralized management of business instructions and notifications from head offices and reporting from stores. It provides an environment for smooth and accurate information transmission between head offices and stores, contributing to service uniformity and productivity improvement. https://www.makitori.jp/

About STORES

STORES Inc., under the mission 'Just for Fun', aims for an economy driven by commitment and passion. It offers a wide range of products supporting store operations for small and medium-sized businesses primarily in retail, food service, and service industries. Through the 'STORES' product suite based on customer data, it supports sustainable sales growth of operators and realizes a society full of diverse and unique businesses. For more details, visit https://www.st.inc.