Alpha Club Musashino Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, President: Hiroaki Wada, hereinafter referred to as "our company"), which operates comprehensive wedding halls, funeral homes, and multipurpose halls centered on funeral, wedding, and mutual aid services, has signed an agreement with Hanoi University of Science and Technology, a leading science and technology university in Vietnam, for the acceptance of international students.

Through this agreement, our company will accept excellent international students from the university and provide them with educational and practical opportunities in Japan. By integrating "practical challenges" with "AI/IT technology," we will promote the development of bridge SEs and technical leaders who will serve as a bridge between Japan and Vietnam in the future.

**■ Background of the Agreement Signing** Since its founding in 1962, our company has been engaged in the funeral and wedding business for approximately 65 years. Currently, we operate 146 ceremony halls and 4 wedding venues, growing to have approximately 400,000 members.

However, the environment surrounding funeral and wedding services has changed significantly due to the impact of COVID-19 and the progress of the declining birthrate and aging population. Weddings are becoming smaller and shifting towards photo weddings, while funerals are increasingly dominated by family funerals and cremation ceremonies, leading to a major transformation in the nature of traditional ritual culture.

At this turning point, our company views "inheriting the value of rituals for the future" as an important mission and is working on the development of new services utilizing AI and DX.

**■ New Initiatives through DX and AI** Our company is currently promoting the following advanced initiatives. Details: https://www.mata-aeru.jp/

* **Advancing Customer Response with Generative AI** In addition to AI chatbots, we provide new memorial experiences such as technology to generate videos from deceased individuals' photos and reproduce messages. * **Metaverse Cemetery "Kaze no Rei"** Proposing a new form of memorial service where one can participate in funerals and memorial services through avatars. * **AI Buddhist Altar "COHACO"** An altar that creates continuous "connections," such as receiving messages from the deceased on their birthdays and anniversaries.

To support these initiatives, securing a robust IT infrastructure and highly skilled technical personnel is indispensable.

**■ Significance of Collaboration with Hanoi University of Science and Technology** Hanoi University of Science and Technology is a top-tier science and technology university in Vietnam, producing world-class talent in the IT and AI fields.

Through this agreement, by integrating the excellent students from the university with our company's practical environment, we aim to achieve:

* Development of AI/DX personnel tailored to practical work. * Resolution of the IT talent shortage in Japanese companies. * Promotion of technological and cultural exchange between Japan and Vietnam.

We aim to build a sustainable business foundation.

**■ Future Outlook** Through this initiative, our company will combine the power of technology with the traditional industries of funeral and wedding services to challenge the creation of new value that supports "life's milestones."

Furthermore, through cross-border human resource development and co-creation, we will create sustainable growth opportunities for both Japan and Vietnam and contribute to solving social issues.

**[Company Profile]** Company Name: Alpha Club Musashino Co., Ltd. (Alpha Club Group) Representative: Hiroaki Wada, Representative Director and President Location: 535 Kami-komatsu, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture Founded: June 1962 Established: September 1964 Business Activities: Funeral business, Bridal business, Mutual aid association business, Leisure business Capital: 100 million yen Website: http://www.alphaclub.co.jp/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Partnership