#Japan #Tech Touch #Miyakonojyo #AI Digital Platform

Overview of the Implementation

Miyakonojyo City (Mayor: Yoshinaga Ikeda), located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, proudly announced tremendous achievements following the adoption of the AI-based Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) "Tech Touch". In tandem with a modernized financial accounting system and a switch to electronic approvals, the city managed to eliminate introductory training for new employees held annually and significantly reduced inquiries related to input errors and omissions. Remarkably, within the first month of operation, the implementation resulted in an impressive total reduction of approximately 2,800 hours of administrative work across the city hall.

Background of the Introduction

Prior to the introduction of Tech Touch, Miyakonojyo faced frequent issues concerning omitted required fields and date discrepancies in its outdated financial accounting system, which led to many documents being returned by the accounting division. While attempts to address these challenges through individual system modifications proved costly and labor-intensive, the city recognized the opportunity to reassess not only the system itself but also the operational rules and procedures associated with it during the transition to a new system. By doing so, they aimed to minimize disruptions and inquiries while facilitating a smoother adjustment to the new framework.

Decision Making for Implementation

The city opted for Tech Touch due to its ability to provide on-screen operation guides and warnings during input without the need to modify existing systems. This flexibility allowed for tailored navigation aligned with municipal rules and procedures, which was invaluable. Additionally, the platform's compatibility with the Local Government Wide Area Network (LGWAN) and its offer of supportive resources tailored to local government operations strengthened the city’s decision further.

Benefits Realized

The introduction of Tech Touch has not been viewed merely as an addition of tools but as a pivotal starting point for comprehensive operational reform. This project transcended departmental boundaries, involving not just the accounting department but also sectors devoted to administrative reform and digital oversight. About six months before implementation, rigorous discussions yielded around 30 areas of operational improvements including the removal of unnecessary checklist items and the allowance of simplified invoice processing. These enhancements were promptly reflected on Tech Touch’s screens as operational guides and tooltips without waiting for additional system modifications. Staff who were most knowledgeable about operational workflows took charge of the design and implementation, producing over 300 custom guides and tooltips, thereby ensuring adherence to the new system.

By implementing simultaneous improvements in operations and interface design, the team successfully anchored the operations to current on-the-ground realities, resulting in nearly zero inquiries regarding "where and what" to input after the system refresh as well as virtually eliminating input errors. Thus, the remarkable achievement of saving approximately 2,800 hours in a single month became evident.

Such notable outcomes have sparked interest from other city departments seeking to adopt similar systems, signifying a blossoming of collaborative efforts across the municipality. Future initiatives include advancements in AI systems capable of verifying complex input errors and potential integration with generative AI platforms like "zevo" in pursuit of enhancing internal efficiencies further.

Comments from Officials

Advisor to the Deputy Director at the Digital Promotion Division of Miyakonojyo, Mr. Sato, remarked, “Our approach is centered around the philosophy of 'not digitizing inefficiencies.' With the introduction of Tech Touch, we not only addressed the tools themselves but embraced an opportunity to reevaluate the entire accounting function affecting the entire administration.” Sato noted the necessity of this multi-departmental collaboration—from the administrative reform office to digital strategy teams—to question the very need for certain tasks. Insights from frontline employees who created the navigation tools based on their experiences led to an unexpectedly fast adaptation to the new system. The city continues to advocate for digital innovation, demonstrated by the Mayor's declaration of the “Miyakonojyo AX Promotion Declaration,” which encourages the shift toward AI-centric operational practices, ensuring that personnel can concentrate on creating higher-value work environments.

About Miyakonojyo City

Miyakonojyo is situated in southwestern Miyazaki Prefecture, boasting a population of approximately 160,000. The city is renowned for its large basin area and rich underground water supplies, leading the nation in production and sales of meat and shochu, as well as in contributions received through the hometown tax program. In 2019, the city declared its commitment to advancing digital initiatives, with its Mayor Ikeda assuming the role of Chief Digital Officer to spearhead innovative digital transformation efforts.

About Tech Touch

Tech Touch Co., Ltd., founded in March 2018, is committed to creating a world where all users can efficiently utilize systems. The awarded DAP not only facilitates intuitive support for user operations across a variety of systems but is widely implemented throughout local governments and large enterprises, boasting a user base exceeding 10 million. The company emphasizes continued development of AI-enhanced DAPs to bolster IT and AI applications across public entities.

For more details, visit: Tech Touch Official Site