Pirika Surpasses 2 Million Kilometers of Litter Distribution Surveys—Equivalent to 50 Trips Around the Earth:
AI‑Powered “Takanome” Expands Domestically and Internationally with Support from the Mitsui & Co. Co‑creation Fund
Tokyo, Japan – Pirika, Inc. (Head Office: Chiyoda‑ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Fujio Kojima) has surpassed 2 million kilometers in total survey distance with Takanome (car version), its own 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” uses a smartphone with a dedicated app, mounted in a vehicle, to record the roadside while driving. AI analyzes the video and shows where litter is, including illegal dumping and litter on roadsides.
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, helping make their environmental measures more effective.
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 put science-based countermeasures into practice in society, including:
- Identifying problem areas and deriving solutions: Visualizing quantities and locations of litter, inferring causes, and formulating targeted interventions
- Measuring the effects of interventions: Gathering ongoing, comprehensive data to evaluate the impact of implemented strategies
- 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 “Takanome (car version)” 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 goals, to increase social impact and create new sustainability‑driven business models.