Innovative AI Engagement on Lake Biwa Day with Seven-Eleven Japan

Innovative Collaboration for Lake Biwa Day

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Seven-Eleven Japan has partnered with Shiga Prefecture and Bridgewell Co., Ltd. to utilize the innovative Spot AI service, ToyTalk. This initiative coincides with Lake Biwa Day on July 1st, aiming to enhance environmental education and encourage participation in local recycling activities.

The collaboration features the installation of QR codes on PET bottle collection machines at Seven-Eleven stores across Shiga Prefecture. When users scan the QR code with their smartphones, they can engage with the Spot AI character “Mr. Lake Biwa Lover,” which facilitates an interactive learning experience about Lake Biwa and environmental conservation.

Shiga Prefecture has been promoting various activities related to Lake Biwa under the campaign named “Biwa Katsu.” By integrating Spot AI into everyday recycling actions, the initiative provides an easy way for people to learn about the lake's history and the importance of conservation while recycling.

ToyTalk is a location-specific AI guide service that requires no app installation. Users can simply scan QR codes displayed on posters, signs, or informational materials, enabling them to interact with the AI directly. This service is designed to deliver essential local information at the user's convenience across various contexts, including tourism, cultural sites, administrative offices, environmental education, and event announcements.

Bridgewell aims to expand the application of ToyTalk through collaborations with municipalities, corporations, and local organizations, enhancing the dissemination of information and promoting environmental education, tourism, and administrative guidance.

Implementation Details

- Project Name: Spot AI Collaboration for PET Bottle Collection Machines on Lake Biwa Day
- URL: ToyTalk
- Implementation Period: July 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026
- Location: PET bottle collection machines at Seven-Eleven stores in Shiga Prefecture
- Content: Access to Spot AI “Mr. Lake Biwa Lover” via QR code to learn interactively about Lake Biwa and conservation
- Service Provided: Spot AI service ToyTalk
- Collaboration: Shiga Prefecture, Seven-Eleven Japan, Bridgewell

About ToyTalk

ToyTalk, developed by Bridgewell, is an easy-to-use Spot AI service focusing on specific locations, fields, and timeframes, built from diverse materials like PDFs, Word documents, images, brochures, and texts. Users can initiate conversations with the AI by scanning QR codes without the need for app downloads, and the service supports dialogue in over 57 languages, accommodating various dialects and providing analytics for user engagement.

About Bridgewell

Founded in 2019, Bridgewell has developed a subscription service for diapers targeted at childcare facilities while also engaging with local governments and corporations. Understanding the frequent issues faced by these sectors—such as repetitive explanations, difficulty reading materials, and the need for multilingual support—led to the creation of the Spot AI service ToyTalk. The company continues to apply ToyTalk in various domains, including tourism, childcare support, welfare, cultural institutions, and corporate operations.

Comments from Stakeholders

Shiga Prefecture Environmental Policy Division (Representative: Higasaka Soya)

Shiga has established July 1st as Lake Biwa Day, and from this day until August 27th, which is World Lakes Day, we promote the “Biwa Katsu” campaign, collaborating with various companies and organizations. We are pleased to introduce ToyTalk as an environmental learning tool, encouraging engagement with the history and condition of Lake Biwa through casual interaction.

Seven-Eleven Japan Operations Support Division (Representative: Koga)

Every year, we collaborate with Shiga Prefecture in observance of Lake Biwa Day. This year, with Bridgewell, we are excited to introduce an innovative way for customers to learn about the event conveniently in-store, enhancing our environmental initiatives, particularly around PET bottle recycling and promoting public interest in Lake Biwa.

Co-Founder of Bridgewell (Representative: Tsutsui Kuniharu)

We are thrilled that ToyTalk will be used in tandem with the initiatives surrounding Lake Biwa Day. Lake Biwa is significant for Shiga Prefecture, as it is intricately linked to the environment and daily life. This Spot AI will create opportunities for casual learning about the lake's ecology in conjunction with everyday actions, such as recycling.