About the Program
The Shinagawa City Automation & Robotics Introduction Promotion Project is an initiative operated by the Shinagawa City Regional Promotion Department, Commerce & Manufacturing Division, SME Support Section. It is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises based within Shinagawa Ward adopt automation, robotics, IT, and digital-transformation solutions to improve productivity and operational efficiency.
The program connects ward-based businesses with service-provider companies offering relevant products and services, and includes a subsidy framework to support implementation costs.
How the Program Works
1. Consultation
Businesses in Shinagawa Ward can reach out to the program office to discuss their automation needs and explore suitable solutions.
2. Service Matching
The program introduces participating service-provider companies whose products and services align with the business's challenges.
3. Subsidy Support
A subsidy program is available to help offset the cost of introducing automation and robotics solutions.
Participating Service Providers
The program features a directory of companies offering automation, robotics, and digital-transformation products. Listed providers include:
- Inaba Electric Industry Co., Ltd. — Chokotei Watcher mini: a monitoring system that records video before and after production-line errors.
- Mobilus Co., Ltd. — MobiAgent: a hybrid chat system supporting both AI chatbot and human-operator responses.
- Takt Pixel Co., Ltd. — POODL: an AI-powered image-recognition cloud platform for print-factory quality inspection.
- Axrossroad Co., Ltd. — Axrobo: an RPA + AI-OCR office-automation solution for SMEs.
- Japan Financial Engineering Co., Ltd. — WinActor: a domestically developed RPA tool for automating routine PC-based office tasks.
Each listing includes a downloadable introduction document and dedicated contact information.
Seminars & Events
The program has organized free online seminars for Shinagawa Ward businesses, covering topics such as paperless operations, factory digital transformation, IT strategy for SMEs, and online sales automation. Past events featured expert speakers from industry, academia, and government, and were held via Zoom webinar.
Interested in Participating?
For subsidy application consultations, partnership introductions, or general inquiries about the program, please contact the project office.
The Shinagawa City Automation & Robotics Introduction Promotion Project reflects a broader municipal commitment to strengthening the local business ecosystem. By focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises, the program recognizes that productivity gains in this sector have a compounding effect on the wider community. Automation and robotics are no longer the exclusive domain of large manufacturers; accessible digital tools now allow smaller firms to streamline operations, reduce manual workloads, and respond more quickly to changing market conditions. The program serves as a practical bridge, connecting ward-based businesses with the technology and expertise needed to modernize without losing the agility that defines their competitive advantage.
A core element of the project is its structured approach to matching businesses with appropriate solution providers. Rather than leaving companies to navigate a fragmented marketplace on their own, the program curates connections to service providers who understand the realities of SME operations. This intermediary role is especially valuable for businesses taking their first steps into automation, where uncertainty about costs, implementation timelines, and return on investment can be significant barriers. By offering a clear pathway from initial consultation through to deployment, the project helps reduce the friction that often accompanies technological adoption in smaller organizations.
The subsidy framework embedded within the program is designed to lower the financial threshold that often prevents smaller enterprises from investing in modernization. Capital constraints are among the most common obstacles cited by SMEs when considering automation projects, and targeted financial support can shift a marginal business case into a viable one. The program's approach acknowledges that meaningful digital transformation is rarely a single purchase but rather a sequence of investments over time. By supporting implementation costs, the initiative encourages businesses to view automation as a strategic priority rather than a discretionary expense, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
For Shinagawa Ward, the long-term benefits of this initiative extend beyond individual businesses to the district's overall economic vitality. A community of productive, technologically capable SMEs attracts talent, supports employment stability, and encourages further investment in the area. The program also aligns with national trends toward regional economic development through innovation, positioning Shinagawa as a forward-looking environment for enterprise. As more businesses adopt automation and digital tools, the collective effect strengthens supply chains, creates new partnership opportunities, and reinforces the ward's reputation as a supportive home for growing companies.