The Shinbashi Trust Clinic in Tokyo has recently unveiled its latest technological advancement: the AI receptionist known as "AI Sakura." Set to be fully operational by August 18, 2025, this cutting-edge AI service aims to streamline patient assistance while significantly alleviating the workload on clinic staff. With an enormous 40-inch signage system at the reception, this marks the first instance of the AI Sakura's use in the healthcare sector, according to research conducted by Tifanacom in September 2025.
Addressing Reception Challenges with AI
Located just a short walk from Shinbashi Station, Shinbashi Trust Clinic boasts a strategic location that attracts both busy commuters and local shoppers. The clinic offers a comprehensive range of medical and beauty services, including internal medicine, dermatology, and spa treatments. With no prior appointment necessary and a commitment to swift service, the clinic has become a popular choice among overworked professionals and residents alike.
However, the clinic's convenience has also resulted in constant congestion at the reception. Staff members were overwhelmed with multiple tasks, including attending to incoming patients and handling phone inquiries and administrative duties. The incessant stream of routine questions largely about office hours and supplement information left little room for staff to focus on higher-priority responsibilities.
To resolve this issue of overburdened reception, the clinic opted to implement AI Sakura. This AI system is now responsible for automatically responding to common inquiries regarding treatment hours and supplement availability, thus streamlining check-in and appointment confirmation processes.
AI-Supported Customer Care That Feels Warm
AI Sakura is designed not only to improve operational efficiency but also to foster a sense of warmth in interactions with patients. Unlike many automated services that can feel impersonal, AI Sakura offers a new experience characterized by friendly communication. Patients can feel secure knowing they won’t be left waiting, and that their inquiries will be addressed in a way that’s easy to understand.
At Shinbashi Trust Clinic, this “warm reception” is viewed as a vital factor in attracting patients. Given the wide array of medical branches and the freedom to choose treatments, the backgrounds and objectives of patients vary greatly. Delivering comfort and ensuring smooth communication is essential in providing an excellent healthcare and beauty service experience. The introduction of AI Sakura not only enhances convenience but also reinforces the clinic's value as a trustworthy healthcare provider.
Moreover, AI Sakura collects patient satisfaction feedback, using it to continuously refine the quality of its conversation and guidance. This feature ensures that the AI system is always learning and improving, enhancing patient experiences while simultaneously easing the workload on staff and raising the service standards across the clinic.
Over 250 Inquiries in Two Weeks, 200 Hours Saved Annually
In just two weeks since its introduction, AI Sakura successfully managed over 250 reception inquiries, effectively saving around eight hours of staff labor. When extrapolated to a year, this translates to over 6,000 inquiries handled and a remarkable 200 hours of operational tasks managed by AI.
By covering the routine inquiries related to treatment times, medication pickups, and spa services, staff members can now shift their focus towards providing more specialized patient care and hospitality. As the clinic approaches its busy season, this digital transformation in the reception area stands to not only alleviate the pressures on their staff but also serve as a valuable model for other healthcare facilities.
Evolving into a Next-Gen Medical Facility Through Reception DX
With the implementation of AI Sakura, Shinbashi Trust Clinic plans to continue utilizing digital technologies to enhance their services. They aim to combine the reassuring presence of a local family physician with advanced medical offerings, positioned as a next-generation hybrid healthcare institution. This initiative will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing the health and quality of life for their patients in the community.
About AI Sakura
AI Sakura is an interactive AI system that requires no registration or tuning work from the client. Promoting the concept of "You are not alone, AI Sakura is here to support you in both work and happiness," it has been instrumental in driving DX advancements across companies and local governments.
Why AI Sakura Stands Out
- - Incorporates the latest AI technologies like ChatGPT and image generation AI.
- - Holds various ISO certifications, ensuring quality assurance, cloud security, and related patents.
- - Designed to be customized swiftly to fit clients' operational needs.
- - Fully automates operations and maintenance tasks.
With a diverse array of companies adopting AI Sakura, its capabilities extend to serving AI-based reception or avatar assistance in train stations, commercial complexes, websites, and telephone interactions across various industries.
About Tifanacom
Tifanacom Co. Ltd. (Headquartered in Meguro, Tokyo) operates under the corporate philosophy of "Bringing smiles to the world through the power of Web and AI." Since its establishment in 2000, Tifanacom has specialized in web production across different industries, harnessing that experience to advance their AI development. Released in October 2016, AI Sakura has become a pivotal solution for various organizations nationwide as they work towards digital transformation. As of March 2024, Tifanacom will join the HEROZ Group, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.