Tokyo, Japan – Pirika Inc. (Head Office: Chiyoda‑ku, Tokyo; CEO: Fujio Kojima) has surpassed 2 million kilometers in cumulative survey distance of its vehicle‑based version of the proprietary “Takanome” litter distribution survey service, as of July 2025. This milestone corresponds to approximately 50 journeys around the Earth.

About the “Takanome”(Hawk-Eye) Litter Distribution Survey Service

“Takanome” employs a smartphone loaded with a dedicated app, mounted onto a vehicle that records the roadside environment while driven. The captured imagery is analyzed using AI, thereby visualizing the spatial distribution of litter, including instances of illegal dumping and roadside trash.

This data helps to enable:

• Optimization of cleaning routes
• Assessment of beautification measure effectiveness
• Evidence‑based decision‑making by municipalities and private sector entities
  
  

The service has gained wider adoption across local governments and corporations, enhancing the efficacy of environmental management strategies.

Addressing Global Litter Challenges Through Quantitative Visualization

Despite ongoing efforts worldwide to address issues such as marine plastic pollution, the absence of clear, quantitative indicators to measure outcome effectiveness has been a significant challenge.

To fill this gap, Pirika began its development of the “Takanome” service in 2015—designed to quantitatively visualize litter distribution. In 2021, the company advanced to developing the vehicle‑mounted version to support wide‑area surveys.

By expanding survey coverage and improving data accuracy, Pirika aims to drive the societal implementation of scientifically grounded countermeasures, including:

1. Identifying problem areas and deriving solutions: Visualizing quantities and locations of litter, inferring causes, and formulating targeted interventions
   
   
2. Measuring the effects of interventions: Gathering ongoing, comprehensive data to evaluate the impact of implemented strategies
   
   
3. Scaling successful initiatives: When litter naturally decreases in specific regions, analyzing contributing factors—such as infrastructure adaptations or community involvement—to replicate these results elsewhere

Global Expansion and Progress to Date

The vehicle-based "Takanome" survey network has now expanded internationally, extending its reach beyond Japan. Since May 2024, supported by the Mitsui & Co. Co-creation Fund, Pirika has accelerated its overseas litter distribution surveys. As of July 2025, the cumulative survey distance outside Japan has reached approximately 3,000 kilometers, covering 13 cities across 7 countries.

About the Mitsui & Co. Co‑creation Fund

The Mitsui & Co. Co‑creation Fund, launched in 2023, is a social contribution initiative designed to go beyond traditional grants. It connects “Issue Finders”—such as NPOs, social startups, and researchers—with Mitsui & Co. personnel who share their aspirations, thereby enhancing social impact and spawning new sustainability‑driven business models.