#Japan #Shibuya #ZIAI #Listening AI #PANAS

ZIAI's Listening AI System: A Step Towards Mental Health Improvement

In a groundbreaking initiative, ZIAI, an AI startup based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has introduced a chat system utilizing advanced listening AI algorithms aimed at reducing negative emotions in users. Utilizing the widely recognized Japanese version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), ZIAI conducted an evaluation confirming a significant decrease in negative emotional states among users by an average of 21.5%. This promising outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of AI technology in supporting mental health, particularly during challenging times.

The Evaluation Process

The testing was conducted to coincide with the suicide prevention month in March 2025, wherein ZIAI made its latest listening AI incorporated chat system available for free. Over 2,500 consultations were processed, with 157 participants contributing to the evaluation. The team measured changes in emotional states by comparing responses before and after using the chat service based on specific negative emotion indicators, namely:

• - Irritated feelings
• - Distressed feelings
• - Worried feelings

Participants rated their emotions on a scale from 1 (not at all applicable) to 6 (very applicable), allowing for a clear analysis of the improvements.

The PANAS scale comprises eight positive and eight negative emotion items and is widely utilized for psychological assessments. An essential insight from this evaluation is that every item revealed a positive shift in emotions post-consultation.

Key Findings: Emotional Improvement Rates

• - Irritated feelings: Decreased by 28.0% (from 3.61 to 2.60)
• - Distressed feelings: Decreased by 19.9% (from 4.48 to 3.59)
• - Worried feelings: Decreased by 17.8% (from 4.38 to 3.60)

Overall, these results point to a significant total decrease in negative emotions, confirming the listening AI's effectiveness as a mental health support tool.

Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Japan

Japan faces a pressing mental health crisis, with approximately 20,000 lives lost annually to suicide—a concerning figure compared to other developed nations. The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated issues among young people, leading to increased rates of suicide, social isolation, school dropout, abuse, and the challenges faced by young caregivers. Factors such as workplace stress and long-term social withdrawal act as barriers to mental well-being, making it essential that solutions like ZIAI's Listening AI be widely implemented.

Barriers to traditional psychological support often include time constraints, geographical limitations, economic burdens, and the stigma associated with seeking help. Many individuals delay necessary consultations, often convincing themselves that they are