Kyoto Yamagishi Group is a multi-format restaurant group operating eight locations across Kyoto and Tokyo, including Japanese cuisine, hot-pot kaiseki, izakaya, and yakiniku. As the group grew across multiple stores and formats, on-site challenges began to surface — most notably the lack of integration between reservation platforms and the reservation book, and limited sharing of guest information across the group. With Respo, the group has rolled out a "full-suite deployment" that combines mobile ordering and payment terminals tailored to each store, while using Respo as the operational foundation for maintaining "the Yamagishi standard" across every location.

# Challenges Before Adopting Respo
As Kyoto Yamagishi Group expanded into more stores and formats, the team faced the following on-site challenges.

■ __Lack of integration between reservation platforms and the reservation book__
The group used multiple reservation platforms in parallel, requiring staff to log in to each platform's admin console and manually transcribe reservations into the reservation book
Differences in specifications between platforms created an ongoing risk of input errors and double bookings
When staff covered shifts at other stores, the need to share that store's platform login credentials and re-log in created a significant operational burden

■ __Limited sharing of guest information across the group__
Reservation books were managed store by store, leaving guest information siloed across the group
In situations such as "a regular of Tominokoji Yamagishi visiting Nominokoji Yamagishi," details like guest preferences, allergies, and special occasions could not be shared between stores
As a result, there was a risk of inconsistent service quality across different locations

# Key Features of Respo
"Respo" is an all-in-one platform for restaurants provided by Hello Inc. It brings reservation book, channel manager, POS, payment terminals, and mobile ordering together on a single platform, and can be flexibly combined to match each restaurant's scale and business format.

■ __What Respo Offers__
- Reservation book: Integrates with multiple reservation platforms, eliminating manual transcription from each platform
- Channel manager: Centrally manages inventory across the restaurant's own site and other reservation platforms
- POS / Payment terminals: Complete checkout and payment in a single device, streamlining store operations
- Mobile ordering: Enables guests to order from their smartphone or tablet, reducing wait times
- Guest information management: Share and use guest information across the entire group, beyond individual stores

# Outcomes After Adopting Respo
■ __Outcome 1: No more platform logins — streamlined cross-store coverage__
Because Respo integrates reservation platforms with the reservation book, staff no longer need to log in to each platform's admin console individually. When staff cover shifts at another store, there is no longer any need to share that store's platform credentials and re-log in. Even at the store they are covering, staff can check and manage reservations with the same ease as at their home store.

■ __Outcome 2: A "full-suite deployment" optimized for each store__
Yamagishi Group has combined Respo's product suite to match the business format of each location. At the izakaya-format "Nominokoji Yamagishi," the full suite — reservation book, channel manager, POS, payment terminals, and mobile ordering — has been deployed to reduce idle time during ordering and checkout. This has created an environment in which staff can focus on what truly matters: delivering a comfortable dining experience and spending time in conversation with guests.

■ __Outcome 3: Original practices such as "color-coded management" deliver consistent quality across every store__
Using Respo's guest information features, the group has established a shared rule across all stores: key details such as birthdays, anniversaries, allergies, and VIP handling are managed by "color." This has built a system that upholds Yamagishi Group's philosophy of "hospitality tailored to each individual guest," regardless of which store the guest visits.

# Comments from Kyoto Yamagishi Group
We received the following comments from the representative at Kyoto Yamagishi Group who led the Respo rollout.

__"For us, Respo is a tool we use, not a tool that uses us. We hope it will continue to be a partner that listens to voices from the field and grows with us into an even better service."__
── Representative, Kyoto Yamagishi Group

__"Technology shouldn't disrupt the traditions of Kyoto cuisine or the unique world each restaurant has built. It should be the foundation that supports them from below. We hope Respo will continue to provide that 'underlying support' for us going forward."__
── Representative, Kyoto Yamagishi Group

# Comment from Yuki Hariguchi, Representative Director, Hello Inc.
"Kyoto Yamagishi Group is one of the restaurant groups we hold in the deepest respect — a group that cherishes the traditions of Kyoto cuisine and the hospitality of caring for each guest as an individual. We believe technology should not alter that world, but rather serve as the 'underlying support' that reduces the burden on the floor and gives staff more time to be present with guests. We are committed to evolving Respo by learning from voices on the ground, so that it can be one of the foundations supporting the next chapter of Kyoto Yamagishi Group's journey."

# About the Case Study Article
The full story has been published as an interview with Kyoto Yamagishi Group on the official Respo website. The article offers an in-depth look at how Respo is used in multi-store, multi-format group operations, along with the group's original operational practices.
▼ Case Study Article
"Inside the Respo Rollout at a Multi-Store Group Home to Kyoto's One-Michelin-Starred 'Tominokoji Yamagishi'"
URL:https://respo.autoreserve.com/ja-jp/cases/yamagish

yamagishi

[Respo] Adopted by Kyoto Yamagishi Group, Home of the One-Michelin-Star "Tominokoji Yamagishi"

Hello Inc. is pleased to announce that, with the goal of raising the average annual salary in its engineering organization to ¥15 million by the end of 2027, it will roll out a new compensation system and expand its AI utilization support program starting June 2026.

Hello's current engineering average annual salary is ¥11.5 million. AI is already used daily across the entire engineering organization as a "standard part of the company's toolkit." Building on that foundation, this round of institutional renewal positions Hello as a lean, elite engineering organization targeting industry-leading compensation levels. Regardless of whether engineers are new graduates or mid-career hires, compensation will be determined based on role, skill, and performance — not tenure or career history. Together with the continuation and expansion of AI tool subsidies and the integration of AI utilization into performance evaluation, Hello will further accelerate AI adoption across the entire organization.

# Background and Objectives
With the rapid advancement of generative AI, engineering productivity and the skill sets it demands are changing at a pace unlike anything in recent years. Hello regards this shift as a growth opportunity for both the organization and the individual, and has crystallized the following three principles as management policy:
- Company-wide rollout of development and operational processes built on the premise of AI
- Returning the added value generated through AI utilization to individuals via the compensation and grading systems
- Fair evaluation based on role, skill, and results — not tenure or career history
In line with these principles, Hello is renewing the compensation system for its engineering organization and expanding its AI utilization support program.

# Hello's Position: A "Lean, Elite" Organization Built on Selective Hiring
Hello's commitment to maintaining hiring standards and operating as a "lean, elite" team is not for the sake of achieving high compensation. The primary reason is to avoid a situation in which hires who fall short of the required bar increase the burden on other engineers and drag down the output of the organization as a whole.

By continuing to rigorously evaluate each individual's technical capability and problem-solving ability at the hiring stage, we have preserved an environment where every member can focus on the high-difficulty problems they should be tackling. As a result, the value generated per engineer remains stable at a high level, and the structural foundation for offering commensurate compensation is in place.
- __We do not lower the hiring bar.__ For the roles we need to fill, we prioritize the quality of the match — even if it takes time.
- __We keep individual autonomy and scope of impact broad.__ We have built an environment in which high-level engineers stimulate one another daily and accelerate each other's technical growth.
- __We redirect AI-freed capacity to high-difficulty problems.__ Time created by automation and efficiency gains is reinvested into new business, platform improvement, and R&D.

This compensation increase is the natural outcome of that lean-and-elite approach, and it is a statement of Hello's intent to become the first company that comes to mind for top engineers — both in working environment and in compensation.

# Overview of the New Compensation System
For engineering roles, Hello will introduce a new compensation system built on the following two pillars:

| Item    | Details     |
| ---------- | ---------- |
| Salary Range       | The current average annual salary across all engineering roles is approximately ¥11.5 million. The goal is to raise the average to ¥15 million by the end of 2027. Regardless of whether engineers are new graduates or mid-career hires, salary is determined at the time of joining based on skill, experience, and role within the defined range. For Senior / Principal Engineer-level positions, offers exceeding ¥20 million annually are already available.       |
| Grade and Evaluation       | A job-specific grading system has been introduced. Evaluation is based on three axes: "technical scope of impact," "business impact," and "productivity enabled by AI and automation." Promotions and raises are determined by role and results at each grade — not by tenure or length of service. As a tracked result, an average raise of 9.2% has been achieved after six months.       |

# Overview of the AI Utilization Support Program
To standardize AI utilization across the organization — rather than leaving it to individuals — as a precondition for productivity, Hello operates the following systems and culture. What sets it apart is not merely supplying tools, but designing work on the premise that the organization "uses AI to the fullest," and operating it as a culture in which engineers actively give each other feedback.
(1) Tool Provision
- __AI Tool Subsidies__: For all engineers, the monthly subscription fees for business-use generative AI and coding-assistance AI — including Claude Code and Codex — are fully covered by the company.
(2) Organization-Level AI Utilization Tracking
- __Continuous Usage Tracking__: Using the AI usage aggregation service "supateam," the organization's overall token usage is shared on Slack on a weekly basis. The team continuously monitors whether AI adoption is progressing as an organization.
- __Usage Targets__: As an organization, target values are set for AI token usage. Work is designed on the premise of "using AI to the fullest."
(3) Feedback and Knowledge Sharing
- __Support from AI-Proficient Engineers__: Engineers who are highly skilled in AI utilization support other members in adopting effective usage patterns. Improvement suggestions are made daily from the perspective of, "Could this work be made more efficient with AI?"
- __Slack Sharing of AI Use Cases__: AI use cases, prompts, and workflows that emerge in day-to-day work are shared on Slack as they happen.
- __Immediate Knowledge Sharing__: A culture is firmly in place in which engineers routinely gather and share information on new AI services, new features, and relevant research.
(4) Incorporation into Evaluation
- __AI Utilization in Grade Evaluation__: "How much productivity was improved through AI utilization" is explicitly defined as one component of grade evaluation. Engineers are encouraged to redirect the surplus time created by AI toward higher-difficulty work.

# Comment from Hello Inc. CTO, Kazato Sugimoto
"Rather than simply 'writing code with AI,' Hello fairly evaluates and rewards — with top-tier compensation — engineers who 'engineer AI itself to tackle higher-value problems.' We are excited to work with people who are serious about engineering, in a team where a small, elite group of humans leverages a multitude of AIs to deliver results."

# In Closing
In conjunction with this announcement, we have prepared the following touchpoints for engineer recruitment:
- Casual Interviews: Year-round, via our recruitment site (https://open.talentio.com/r/1/c/hello/pages/80664). We're happy to answer your questions 1-on-1 about our tech stack, working style, and compensation.

hello-engineer1

"Top-tier compensation for engineers who master AI" — Hello Inc. targets ¥15M average engineer salary by end of 2027

Hello, Inc. (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yuki Hariguchi), the company behind Respo, an all-in-one management platform for restaurants, today announced that its core features—reservation ledger, channel manager, POS, mobile ordering, and payment terminals—will be offered across Japan starting May 1, 2026, with zero initial cost, zero monthly fee, and zero customer acquisition fee.

# Why Make Everything Free?
One of the structural challenges in restaurant management is that fixed costs and operating expenses continue to weigh heavily on businesses, while the burden of those costs has remained difficult to fully identify and address.

Many restaurants have introduced tools such as reservation ledgers, POS systems, ordering systems, and payment terminals individually, from different vendors, whenever the need arose. As a result, the following issues have emerged:

- __Financial cost__: Total monthly fees often reach several tens of thousands of yen, and reservations made through gourmet listing sites typically incur customer acquisition fees on a per-booking basis.
- __Training burden on frontline staff__: Because tools vary from one vendor to another, staff must learn different systems and workflows, creating training and handover costs that are not always visible but consistently accumulate.
- __Fragmented data__: Reservation, sales, customer, and ordering data remain disconnected, forcing not only management decisions but also day-to-day customer service and recommendations to rely heavily on individual experience and intuition.

Respo addresses these structural issues through a fundamental rethink of pricing.
![respo-japangoesfree2](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/26BCqmYbcl0J3bUVV0gX2e/bd38ec5f0b56abbb9edae33db2be83cf/20260413_Respo_PR_1200_675_1.png)

With zero initial cost, zero monthly fee, and zero customer acquisition fee, Respo will make all of the essential functions required for restaurant operations available free of charge across Japan, significantly reducing cost burdens for everyone from independent restaurants to multi-location operators. In addition, by integrating data into a single platform, restaurants can more easily identify operational challenges and make better decisions not only for revenue growth, but also for day-to-day service and operational improvement.

Not just reducing fixed costs, but building the foundation for higher sales—free for every restaurant.
That is the vision behind this move to full free access.

# How Respo Helps Increase Sales While Reducing Costs
What Respo delivers is not simply free tools.

By integrating everything restaurants need—from pre-visit reservation and customer acquisition management, to in-store service, ordering, and payment, to post-visit customer follow-up—into a single platform, Respo supports restaurant operations end to end.

With this move to full free access, restaurants will first be freed from a major fixed-cost burden. By unifying tools into one system, the time and effort required for staff training, setup, and operational management can also be significantly reduced.

In addition, by using Respo, data related to reservations, sales, customers, and orders is automatically connected. The longer the platform is used, the more this data accumulates as an asset for the restaurant. By centralizing data, time-consuming manual work—such as reconciling data across locations or matching spreadsheets in Excel—becomes unnecessary, enabling substantial gains in operational efficiency.
![respo-japangoesfree3](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/6Fsb7JGYyeb4PZ2Mt0X0Nx/44639dc7f8fceb9b8229b4050771d7b2/20260413_Respo_PR_1200_675_2.png)

With data available in one place, restaurants can make decisions such as:
- Visualizing which days of the week and time slots are the most profitable by combining reservation and sales data, then optimizing staffing and menu composition
- Identifying the types of customers most likely to become repeat visitors by combining customer data and visit frequency, and executing more effective marketing measures
- Analyzing data across all locations to uncover performance differences between stores and design targeted improvement measures

These are just a few examples. As AI technology continues to evolve, the insights that can be generated from integrated data will expand even further. Through this full free offering of its core features, Respo aims to ensure that restaurants of every size can benefit from that evolution.

# What Current Restaurant Users Are Saying
## “Reservation and sales management across multiple locations can now be viewed on a single screen”
![yamagishi](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/2jSSRwNAACpU6i69lZsXAN/4d404e782cfae54a4a4d3c3bd45c3c41/image__3_.png)
### Mr. Yamagishi, Representative of Yamagishi
We operate several restaurants with different concepts and locations, from traditional kaiseki in Kyoto and yakiniku to locations in Tokyo. By implementing Respo’s reservation ledger at our main stores, we were able to centralize reservation management across multiple locations. With site controller integration, reservations from various gourmet websites are automatically imported into the ledger, which has eliminated the need to check each platform separately and helped us avoid double bookings.

We also introduced POS, allowing reservation data and sales data to be connected seamlessly. In the past, each store used a different system, and month-end reporting was a major burden. Now, we can quickly check reservation statuses for each store just by switching between locations, even when we are out of the office, making multi-store management much more efficient.

## “Eliminating the ‘second shift’ after business hours and creating an environment where we can focus on hospitality”
![yamazaki](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/39879FCwyMevaHVIoHnleH/24ec1e7e377de22791ccc429649ca8ff/image__4_.png)
### Mr. Yamazaki, Owner (Independent restaurant in Tokyo)
As a small counter-style restaurant, what matters most to us is being able to give each guest our full attention. That is why we wanted to keep back-office work to a minimum. In the past, reservation management was time-consuming, and it was not unusual for us to still be tied up with administrative tasks after business hours.

Since adopting Respo’s reservation ledger, we have been able to manage both online and phone reservations from a single screen, greatly reducing the burden of handling bookings. We also use the payment terminal, which has made the checkout process much smoother. For an independent restaurant like ours, having a system that is simple and helps reduce operational hassle has been a tremendous support.

Another major benefit is that we can now serve guests while checking their visit history, something our regular customers have really appreciated.

## “Instantly recognizing regular customers and delivering service that no longer relies on memory alone”
![manryou](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/2Vn8qDo8Uc2UEHs9QNrGCm/fc7069f529f4dffdf4b2ecd2b9280b18/image__5_.png)
### Mr. Takimoto, Representative of Manryo
We operate six yakiniku restaurants in the Kansai region and welcome a wide range of guests, many of whom are regular customers. One of our top priorities is improving customer satisfaction, and as part of that effort, we introduced Respo’s CTI integration.

The moment the phone rings, the customer’s name, visit history, and most recent visit date appear on screen across all of our group locations. This allows us to greet them right away with a comment such as, “Thank you for visiting our [store name] branch previously.” We believe that making customers feel remembered leads to a better customer experience, and these small personal touches are what create the greatest value.

## “Centralizing reservation management across multiple locations for smoother, error-free operations”
![savoy](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/2gsLxoG41trkBwdBux3mZS/ee1114ba4bf188cf2e95c993047370e1/image.png)
### Mr. Kikuchi, Manager of SAVOY Azabu-Juban Main Store
We operate several specialty Neapolitan pizza restaurants in Azabu-Juban. Because our restaurants are centered around counter seating and accommodate a limited number of guests, even a single double booking or missed reservation check can directly affect the customer experience for that day. Since introducing Respo’s reservation ledger across all of our locations, we have been able to check the reservation status of every store in real time on a single screen, which has greatly reduced both the time spent confirming reservations and the risk of oversight. At our main store, we have also introduced a payment terminal, allowing customer information from the reservation ledger to be carried over directly to the payment process, which has shortened the amount of time customers need to wait. When we opened a new store, it was also smooth and easy to start operating under the same system right away.

# Future Developments
Respo already offers a customer management function that uses reservation and customer data accumulated in the reservation ledger together with dining data from the POS system.

This makes it possible to understand customers based on their visit history and usage patterns, which can then be used to encourage repeat visits and improve service quality. Going forward, this customer management function will be further enhanced to support more advanced customer segmentation and outreach.

Respo’s goal is to first consolidate restaurant data through a fully free infrastructure, and then help transform restaurant management itself through the use of that data. This is the first step in bringing that value to every restaurant in Japan, from independent operators to large-scale chains.

# Comment from Yuki Hariguchi, Representative Director of Hello, Inc.
What Respo aims to achieve is very simple: helping restaurants increase sales while reducing costs.
To make that possible, we decided to make all of the essential tools that form the foundation of restaurant operations free of charge. Reservations, POS, payments, and even customer acquisition fees—everything is zero.
We want restaurants to use the money they save for better food, better service, and better support for their staff. And we want to make data-driven management the norm, whether for independent restaurants or multi-location operators. Respo aims to become the platform that supports that future.


respo-japangoesfree1

Respo Makes Core Restaurant Management Features Free Across Japan

Hello, Inc. will be sponsoring "RubyKaigi 2026," an international conference on the Ruby programming language, as a Gold Sponsor, and will be hosting a drinkup event on the first day, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

RubyKaigi is an international conference on the Ruby programming language. It is the world's largest gathering of Ruby developers and the place where Ruby core developers meet every year. It plays a central role in showcasing Ruby's latest features, connecting the global Ruby community, and shaping the future of the language.

RubyKaigi 2026, marking its 20th edition, will be held over three days starting April 22, 2026, at Hakodate Arena and Hakodate Citizen Hall. Speakers will include Yukihiro Matsumoto (Matz), the creator of Ruby, along with well-known speakers from Japan and around the world.

**RubyKaigi 2026 Event Details**

- Dates: Wednesday, April 22 – Friday, April 24, 2026
- Venue: Hakodate Arena & Hakodate Citizen Hall (Hakodate, Hokkaido)
- Official Website: [https://rubykaigi.org/2026/](https://rubykaigi.org/2026/)

**Join Us for "Hello Drink Up**
![rubykaigi20260422](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/L7eZHPHpSF69OwF49Nxtc/fd5b5c1812f01bcad5c7b512fdb2157e/Rubykaigi_drinkup_Hello.png)
Hello, Inc. will host a drink-up event, **Hello Drink up**, on Wednesday, April 22, the first day of RubyKaigi 2026, as an after-party following the Official Party.

At this event, we will offer local cuisine and sake unique to Hakodate, Hokkaido, providing a casual setting for RubyKaigi 2026 attendees to connect with one another. Building on the excitement of the conference’s first day, we hope to create an opportunity for participants to deepen their connections while enjoying conversations about technology and product development.

Registration is first come, first served and requires advance sign-up. We warmly welcome your participation.

- Date & Time: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 21:30 (RubyKaigi 2026 Day 1)
- Registration & Details: [https://helloinc.connpass.com/event/389120/](https://helloinc.connpass.com/event/389120/)
- Eligibility: RubyKaigi 2026 attendees only

rubykaigi2026

Hello, Inc. to Sponsor "RubyKaigi 2026" as Gold Sponsor and Host Drinkup Event

AutoReserve has surpassed 5 million total registered users.

The growing demand for inbound tourism to Japan has directly contributed to the increase in overseas user registrations on AutoReserve.

Leveraging its strengths in multilingual support (including Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean) and its destination-based restaurant search functionality, AutoReserve enables seamless dining experiences at travel destinations, enhancing overall satisfaction throughout the user’s journey.

![20260219-ar-500million-pr2](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/1Mqh8SNwycnEj3LuXAnOTh/aaaa98323e4c9d20a056690fc2d4df7f/20250202_AR_PR_1200_675_2__1___1_.png)

Moving forward, AutoReserve will continue to strengthen its global value as a platform supporting restaurant reservations around the world.

AutoReserve Website: [https://autoreserve.com/](https://autoreserve.com/)

20260219-ar-500million-pr

AI-powered restaurant reservation service "AutoReserve" surpasses 5 million registered users!

In recent years, as membership bases continue to expand, the number of outstanding payment collection calls has risen sharply across the e-commerce and subscription industries. At the same time, the emotional burden unique to reminder calls has become a major source of stress for staff.
Under these circumstances, Oisix ra daichi has achieved a fundamental transformation of its operations by introducing HelloX. By having AI handle approximately 5,000 reminder calls and related data entry tasks each month, the company has been able to reliably execute collection efforts totaling nearly ¥100 million, while significantly reducing the psychological strain on staff and shifting the nature of the work toward higher-value activities.

# Challenges Before Implementation
With approximately 500,000 members, Oisix ra daichi saw the volume of overdue payment reminders increase in direct proportion to its growing customer base, requiring nearly 5,000 outbound calls every month.
The key challenges were centered around three areas: physical limitations, emotional burden, and the growing workload of administrative tasks.
### Physical Limitations
- With around 5,000 calls required each month, it became increasingly difficult to complete all outreach by the deadline, raising the risk of uncollected payments.
- The pressure of recovering nearly ¥100 million while being unable to finish calls in time created significant stress on frontline teams.
- As membership continued to grow, call volume was expected to rise further, making it clear that staffing alone could not scale to meet demand.
### Emotional Burden
- Reminder calls are not generally welcomed by customers, and reactions could sometimes be strong or escalate into complaints.
- Operator stress was reaching its limit, prompting growing internal voices asking whether this work could be automated.
- There was also a recognition that resources should instead be allocated to initiatives that directly contribute to revenue growth.
### Expansion of Administrative Work
- After each call, staff spent several hours daily entering results such as “payment expected on XX date” or “no answer” into internal systems.
- Because call durations varied widely and could become lengthy, after-call work (ACW) increasingly weighed down the overall workflow.

# What HelloX Can Automate
### Automated Outbound Calls
HelloX interprets call lists generated in the CRM system and automatically determines which customer to call, when to call, and what message to deliver, executing outbound calls autonomously.
### Inbound Call Handling
HelloX also responds to customer return calls, operating 24/7/365 to ensure no opportunity for contact is missed, regardless of customer availability.
### ACW (After-Call Administrative Processing)
- __Automatic record saving__ : HelloX automatically logs conversation outcomes—such as promised payment dates or cases of absence—into the existing CRM system.
- __Automated preparation for the next day__ : Based on call results, HelloX generates the following day’s call list automatically, eliminating missed follow-ups entirely.

# Results Achieved Through HelloX
![HelloXPROisixradaichiinc](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/6f3V4GgJNDF1CYDkRqMENM/942ee1d7b94b328fa1f4455109c81c93/20260206_HelloX_PR_1200_675_1.png)
### Resolving Challenge 1: Physical Limits
__Achieving Full Call Coverage While Maintaining Collection Rates__
HelloX enables simultaneous outbound calls, making it possible to handle the massive volume of 5,000 calls per month. This established a system where even customers previously unreachable could now be notified—often multiple times—helping maintain collection rates.
With natural conversational pacing comparable to human operators, HelloX can respond instantly to customer statements such as “I will prepare payment on the XXth,” smoothly confirming payment dates. As a result, all cases are now addressed before deadlines, successfully reducing the risk of uncollected payments.
### Resolving Challenge 2: Emotional Burden
__Protecting Staff and Shifting Toward Creative Work__
The introduction of AI agents was not merely about efficiency—it was also a measure to protect staff from psychological stress.
By taking over the emotionally taxing reminder process, HelloX enabled staff to focus on higher-priority initiatives such as revenue growth strategies and customer satisfaction improvements.
### Resolving Challenge 3: Administrative Overload
__Reducing Workload Through ACW Automation__
With call outcomes automatically stored in existing systems, several hours of daily manual input work became completely unnecessary.
In addition, automated preparation of the next day’s workflow eliminated missed follow-ups and improved the overall overdue collection process. The solution was also highly valued for being implementable without major changes to existing CRM systems or operational flows, supported by flexible development and close collaboration.

---

# Comment from Oisix ra daichi Representative
“The biggest reason we decided to implement HelloX was that our previous approach simply could not keep up with the high call volume. HelloX solved this challenge.
With the implementation, we were not only able to reduce labor costs, but also contact every unpaid customer in a short period of time and deliver consistent messaging without omissions.
Because it has also eased the emotional burden of this stressful work, we are now expanding HelloX to other call operations as well. Going forward, we aim to further build an environment where staff can concentrate on more creative, core responsibilities.”
# Comment from Yuki Hariguchi, CEO of Hello Inc.
“We are truly honored that the implementation of HelloX has contributed to the full automation of Oisix ra daichi’s overdue payment reminder operations, while also alleviating the psychological burden on their staff.
By allowing AI to take on work that no one wants to do, humans can devote themselves to creative tasks that only people can perform—this is exactly the ideal form of ‘co-creation between AI and humans’ that we strive for.
Moving forward, we will continue to go beyond simple operational efficiency and serve as an ‘AI business partner’ that expands human potential and supports sustainable corporate growth.”


HelloXOisixradaichi

Oisix ra daichi Inc. Adopts HelloX

Thank you very much for your continued support.

We would like to inform you that Hello Co., Ltd. will be closed for the year-end and New Year holidays during the following period:

- **Last Business Day of the Year:** Friday, December 26, 2025
- **Holiday Period:** Saturday, December 27, 2025 – Sunday, January 4, 2026

We will resume normal business operations on **Monday, January 5, 2026**.

Please note that inquiries received during the holiday period will be addressed as soon as possible once business resumes.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. We look forward to your continued support in the coming year.

year-end-notice-2025

Notice of Year-End and New Year Holidays

We are pleased to announce the release of the "Tourist Spot Search" function for AutoReserve, our AI-powered restaurant reservation service. This new feature allows users to search for restaurants using tourist destination names. It solves a key challenge for travelers unfamiliar with local station names, enabling them to directly find restaurants using landmark names such as "Tokyo Tower" or "Himeji Castle.”

## Background: The Booming Inbound Tourism Market and Overlooked Dining Challenges
In 2024, the number of inbound visitors to Japan reached 36.87 million, with tourism consumption hitting 8.1395 trillion yen, both record highs. (*1)

Compared to pre-pandemic 2019, the number of visitors increased by 15.6% and consumption grew by 69.1%, indicating a strong recovery in the inbound market. As the government aims for 60 million visitors and 15 trillion yen in consumption by 2030, the importance of Tourism DX (Digital Transformation) is increasing. (*2)

Despite this boom, the "dining" challenges faced by tourists at their destinations have often been overlooked. While "experience-based consumption" at tourist spots has become a trend, conventional restaurant search services are primarily based on "station names" or "area names." This presents a structural problem, making intuitive searches starting from a tourist spot difficult.

(*1) Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) ([https://www.jnto.go.jp/news/press/20250115_monthly.html](https://www.jnto.go.jp/news/press/20250115_monthly.html)), Japan Tourism Agency ([https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/news02_00024.html](https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/news02_00024.html))

(*2) Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) ([https://www.jnto.go.jp/news/m20250501_1.pdf](https://www.jnto.go.jp/news/m20250501_1.pdf))

## Development Background: The Common Challenge of "Not Knowing the Station Name"
The difficulty of "wanting to find a restaurant near a tourist destination but being unable to search without knowing the station name" is a challenge common to both international and domestic travelers.

For example, even if a user wants to "eat Italian near Tokyo Tower," they may not immediately know the closest station. If they want to "enjoy Kyoto cuisine near Kiyomizu-dera Temple," they may be confused about which station to use for their search, such as "Kiyomizu-Gojo" or "Gion-Shijo." This situation is a significant source of stress for travelers unfamiliar with the geography, often leading to them "giving up" or "settling for somewhere else," resulting in a lost consumption opportunity.

In fact, AutoReserve's search data showed a significant volume of searches by tourist spot names, particularly from international tourists. Furthermore, many destinations, such as the "Kurobe Dam" or "Mont-Saint-Michel," do not have a nearby station at all, making traditional station-based searches ineffective in these travel scenarios.

Hello Inc. recognized this issue of "not knowing the station" or "no station existing" as a structural problem affecting both travelers and restaurants, leading us to develop the Tourist Spot Search function.

## Feature Details: Enabling Intuitive, Landmark-Based Restaurant Searches
1. **Autocomplete Suggestions for Tourist Spots**

When users begin typing a landmark name like "Tokyo Tower," "Himeji Castle," "Tsutenkaku," or "Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium," relevant suggestions automatically appear for easy selection. This supports major destinations not only in Japan but also worldwide, such as "Niagara Falls" or "Buckingham Palace."

2. **Combined Search with Cuisine Categories**

Users can combine landmarks with cuisine types, such as "Tokyo Tower x Italian" or "Kiyomizu-dera x Kyoto Cuisine." This meets the diverse needs of inbound tourists, seamlessly connecting sightseeing with dining experiences.

3. **Multilingual Support**

Leveraging AutoReserve's strength in multilingual support (including Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean), users can search for tourist spots in their native language. This breaks down language barriers, enabling restaurant search and reservation anytime, anywhere.

## Social Significance: Preventing Missed Dining Opportunities and Contributing to the Regional Economy
The Tourist Spot Search function extends beyond mere convenience; it holds social significance by preventing lost consumption opportunities and contributing to regional economic revitalization.

1. **Driving Traffic to Nearby Restaurants and Creating New Customer Acquisition Channels**

This feature creates a new acquisition channel for restaurants near tourist spots that were previously overlooked due to the "station name" barrier. It presents a significant business opportunity, especially for hidden gems located away from stations or establishments situated right in front of landmarks that were hard to find via conventional search.

2. **Enhancing Traveler Satisfaction and Boosting Consumption**

By enabling travelers to smoothly realize their desired dining experiences at tourist destinations, overall trip satisfaction improves. Eliminating the frustration of "wanting to eat but not being able to find a place" allows consumption intent to translate into actual spending, contributing to the maximization of inbound tourism consumption.

ar-search-sightseeing-KV

AutoReserve AI Reservation Service Launches Tourist Spot Search—No Station Name Needed, Preventing Missed Dining

The leisure hotel industry is currently facing challenges with chronic labor shortages and maintaining consistent service quality, especially during nighttime and peak business hours. F garden group has addressed these issues by implementing HelloX. The AI accurately and instantly handles phone inquiries for orders and complex rate plans, significantly reducing the burden on staff during busy periods and enabling more streamlined operations.

# Challenges Before Implementation
F garden group, which operates multiple hotels in Sasebo City, Nagasaki, was facing challenges with a high volume of calls from guest rooms to the front desk, particularly during the night and on peak days like weekends and holidays. The two main issues were "Labor Shortages" and "Over-reliance on Individual Staff."
### 1. Challenges Related to Labor Shortages
- Due to a chronic shortage of staff, front desk employees were often overwhelmed with phone calls, preventing them from focusing on their primary role of providing in-person guest services.
- During peak times, such as when the hotel was fully booked or during check-out hours, high call volumes led to long wait times for guests, resulting in decreased customer satisfaction.
- The situation was further complicated by the overlapping retirement of veteran staff and difficulties in recruiting new, younger employees due to the ongoing labor shortage.
### 2. Challenges Related to Over-reliance on Individual Staff
- Complex service details and rate plans meant that knowledge and expertise were concentrated among a few veteran employees. This created a significant risk associated with staff turnover and resulted in high costs for training new staff and sharing information.
- The speed and quality of service varied depending on the proficiency of the staff member on duty, leading to inconsistent service levels across the hotels.

# What HelloX Automates
### Answering Calls:
HelloX receives calls from both external lines and guest rooms to handle inquiries and take orders.
### Post-Call Work (ACW):
1. **Saving call logs to the dashboard:** It records the details of guest inquiries and the necessary follow-up actions on a central dashboard.
2. **Notifying staff of orders:** When an action is required, such as delivering a food order, HelloX automatically places a notification call to the responsible staff member to prompt them for the next step.

# Results of Implementing HelloX
![hellox-case-hanazonoshoji-2](//images.ctfassets.net/x0lx6207qomw/24LWGEMZBs1K7eUhPZdGun/86099558b30cc92ed9d3309a592e70df/20251010_HelloX_PR_1200_675_1_2.png)
The implementation of HelloX has enabled guests to receive smoother, high-quality service 24/7, while freeing hotel staff from the burden of telephone duties to focus on essential in-person guest services.
### Solution to Labor Shortages: Saving approximately 1,800 calls per month through automation
HelloX has fully automated telephone operations, reducing the workload at each hotel by approximately 1,800 calls per month—a task that previously placed a significant burden on front desk staff. This has liberated employees from being tied to the phone, creating an environment where they can concentrate on what matters most: providing attentive, personal service to guests. Furthermore, it has eliminated guest wait times during peak periods like full occupancy or check-out, contributing to higher customer satisfaction. As a result, F garden group has been able to maintain high-quality hotel operations despite challenges such as the retirement of experienced staff and difficulties in recruitment.
### Solution to Over-reliance on Staff: Standardizing service quality and reducing training costs
HelloX centralizes information on complex rate plans and services, providing uniform and accurate guidance 24/7. This standardizes the quality of telephone support, ensuring it no longer depends on the experience or skill of individual employees. Guests can now feel confident that they will receive the same high level of service no matter when they call. Moreover, by having the AI manage the knowledge previously held by veteran staff, the costs associated with training new employees and handovers have been significantly reduced. This also mitigates the risks associated with the departure of experienced personnel.

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# Comment from Mr. Yasui, Representative Director of F garden group
"We see AI not merely as a tool for operational efficiency and automation, but as a powerful partner in delivering warmer, higher-quality hospitality. We will continue to strive for the optimal balance between 'tech touch' solutions like AI and the 'human touch,' ensuring we provide the best possible stay for all our guests."
# Comment from Mr. Takahashi, Head of the HelloX Business at Hello Inc.
"We are truly honored that the implementation of HelloX has contributed to F garden group's mission of providing 'higher-quality hospitality' and creating a better lodging experience for their guests. This outcome, where AI and people collaborate to expand the potential of the workforce and generate warmer service, is a significant step toward solving challenges across the entire hotel industry. We are committed to being more than just a tool for efficiency; we will strive to be an 'AI business partner' that works together with our clients to elevate the customer experience for the entire accommodation industry."


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