Disability Group Home Franchise 'tocotoco' Partners with Welfare-Oriented Cashless Service KAERU

tocotoco Inc. and KAERU Inc. have entered into a business partnership.

tocotoco Inc. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yuki Yamamoto; hereinafter referred to as tocotoco), which operates disability group homes nationwide under the 'tocotoco' brand, announces that it has entered into a business partnership with KAERU Inc. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tomonori Okada; hereinafter referred to as KAERU), a provider of welfare-oriented cashless services that streamline financial transactions in caregiving and disability welfare. Through this partnership, we aim to promote the cashless management of residents' finances in group homes supported by tocotoco nationwide, thereby establishing a financial management system that is safe for both residents and caregivers and meets modern needs.

Background of the Initiative

In disability group homes, cash transactions occur daily for residents' daily necessities, expenses during outings, and medical payments. In particular, managing residents' finances is a task that involves handling important funds entrusted by residents and their families, requiring meticulous attention to detail and leaving no room for error. Handling cash and passbooks within the facility always carries risks of loss or mix-ups. With the ongoing consolidation of financial institution branches and the reduction of counter services, the burden of the entire process of withdrawing cash, handing it over, and recording it is increasing. Therefore, caregivers must repeatedly perform daily administrative tasks such as recording transactions, storing cash, and managing receipts.

Meanwhile, society as a whole is rapidly moving towards cashless transactions, and a life without cash is becoming the norm. For individuals with disabilities to continue living their lives with dignity in the community, it is highly significant to review financial management systems from a cash-based approach to a safer and more contemporary form. For individuals, cashless transactions lead to 'securing the freedom to shop' and 'preventing overspending,' while for caregivers, they result in 'reduced administrative burden' and 'improved transparency through visible transaction history.'

tocotoco, with its philosophy of 'Walking with You,' has been expanding new forms of welfare nationwide, supporting each individual's life. Both companies agreed that cashless financial management would form a more secure foundation for the lives of residents, their families, and caregivers, leading to this business partnership.

Objectives and Outlook of the Business Partnership

Through this partnership, we will promote the utilization of KAERU's welfare-oriented cashless service 'KAERU Biz Caregiving and Disability Welfare' for the financial management of residents in tocotoco's group homes.

- Introduction of KAERU cashless financial management in newly established homes.

- Promotion of its introduction in existing homes.

- Reduction of caregivers' cash handling tasks and improvement of financial management transparency through visible transaction history.

- Realization of remote balance confirmation and usage status tracking by family members.

Both companies will first establish operations in select homes, then systematically introduce cashless financial management to newly opened homes, while also strongly promoting its rollout to existing homes. Through this, we aim to spread a new, non-cash-dependent financial management system across tocotoco's entire network.

Expected Effects

Cashless Financial Management Service Overview

- Securing 'financial freedom' for individuals to continue enjoying shopping.

- Realization of transparent and secure financial management for individuals and their families.

- Reduction of administrative burden related to recording and transactions for each resident's financial management.

- Reduction of risks of loss and mix-ups associated with cash storage and handling within the facility.

- Improvement of service quality by allocating time previously spent on administrative tasks to resident care and daily support.

- Significant reduction in tasks such as filling out ledgers and checking change, leading to an approximately 85% reduction in operational burden and a decrease in the risk of cash loss.

The Form of Welfare tocotoco Aims For

tocotoco, with its philosophy of 'Walking with You,' has aimed to realize a society where individuals with disabilities can live their lives with dignity in the community. Financial management is a crucial theme that supports daily life and is an essential foundation for residents' independent lives, enabling them to 'choose for themselves,' 'decide for themselves,' and 'live in the community.'

This business partnership with KAERU goes beyond mere cashless implementation. It is an initiative that leverages technology to support residents' independence, provide peace of mind to families, and create an environment where caregivers can focus on support itself rather than administrative work.

Together with KAERU, tocotoco will create new welfare standards from group homes nationwide.

【About tocotoco Inc.】

tocotoco Inc., with its philosophy of 'Walking with You,' is a comprehensive welfare provider that supports the creation of integrated welfare networks in communities through the operation and franchise development/consulting of the welfare/medical 'tocotoco' brand. Through services such as 'tocotocohome,' a comprehensive care group home for people with disabilities, 'tocotoconurse,' psychiatric home nursing care, and 'tocotocowork,' supported employment, we provide comprehensive support nationwide for individuals with disabilities to live with dignity and peace of mind in the community.

Company Name: tocotoco Inc. (tocotoco corporation)

Representative: Yuki Yamamoto, Representative Director

Location: Heian-do Bldg. 3F, 2-3-25 Kudanminami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0074

Established: August 2016

Business Activities: Operation of the 'tocotoco' brand and consulting services for welfare and medical care

URL: https://to-co-to-co.co.jp/

【About KAERU Inc.】

KAERU Inc. aims to build a society where everyone can live with peace of mind and enjoy shopping continuously by providing financial services that are accessible to all, including the elderly and people with disabilities.

The meaning behind the service name 'KAERU' (meaning 'to change' or 'to return' in Japanese).

The name KAERU, which is also the company name, embodies three meanings:

- The ability to freely 'buy' things. - For users and their wallets to 'return' home safely. - To 'change' the common notion that one cannot shop if managing money becomes difficult.

Company Name: KAERU Inc.

Representative: Tomonori Okada, Representative Director

Location: Kabutocho Hayama Bldg. 6, 4F, 17-2 Nihonbashi Kabutocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Established: October 2020

Business Activities: Planning and operation of the welfare-oriented cashless service 'KAERU'

URL: https://kaeru-inc.co.jp/

<Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Release>

tocotoco Inc. Public Relations: Hitomi

E-mail: nodoka.hitomi@to-co-to-co.co.jp

TEL: 070-1533-6526