#ArigatoGuide, Japan's Approach to a Smartphone-based Volunteer Matching Campaign Begins at Osaka Station

TOKYO,Aug. 13,2018 --#ArigatoGuide,a volunteer-matching project supported by Dai Nippon Printing Co.,Ltd.,West Japan Railway Company,and Mirairo Inc. - is honoured to present its field test at JR Osaka Station available August 3rd through August 31st. The project helps to connect people in need (wheelchairs users,parents with strollers,elderly people,foreign tourists,or people who are not familiar with Osaka Station) with supporters (volunteers). This field test utilizes LINE,as the communication tool and LINE Beacon for location tracking to match supporters with those who need help.

As Tokyo 2020 Olympics is approaching,moreinfrastructure is needed to support the rising number of foreign tourists. #ArigatoGuide project is expected to relieve workloads of train station workers and wait time at different tourist information centre by introducing the force of local volunteers.

Introduction Video: https://youtu.be/-Zwwa5RikIE

User Guide of #ArigatoGuide

Overview

Field Test Period: 10am-8pm,Friday,August 3rd - Friday,August 31st

Location: Concourse at JR Osaka Station

(Around the Central Concourse,Southern Midosuji Exit,Sakurabashi Exit)

#ArigatoGuide

To Participate

1.Register '&HAND' account

For those who agree with the purpose of this field test and would like to participate,please add the '&HAND' account as a friend on LINE. When adding,you can select to be on either the "side that needs help" or the "supporter side" and register.

2. Matching supporters with for support request

When someone who has added the '&HAND' LINE account enters the designated area at JR Osaka Station,a message will be sent automatically from &HAND account to inform the user that they have entered the target area from LINE's chatbot. Those who are in need of assistance can put out a request for support and supporters in the same area will receive help requests through LINE. The chatbot will also send over the type of assistance needed while guiding the supporter to the location where the person who made the request is located. This chatbot operates in Japanese and English so that it can be used by both locals and foreigners visiting Japan.

About '&HAND'

&HAND utilizes LINE,etc. to match people who have physical or mental difficulties with people who want to help. People who need assistance carry a portable Beacon device and when they turn it on as the situation requires,a message is sent by LINE to nearby supporters (people who want to help). Supporters can tell the situation of the person who needs help through a chatbot and can take concrete action. In December 2017,the first field test of 'Smart Maternity Mark' a movement to offer seats to pregnant woman,was conducted. 11,304 participants and a seat giving rate of 86% has been recorded during that very field test.

Media Contact

#ArigatoGuide PR Office (Kartz Media Works)

Taguchi,Sato,Jeremy

E-Mail:info@kartz.co.jp

Photo - /20180810/2209268-1-a

Photo - /20180810/2209268-1-b