SATO and Fundodai Launch NFC-based Marketing Service

SATO Corporation, a global pioneer in auto-ID and labeling solutions, and Fundodai, a manufacturer of soy sauce, miso and other seasonings since 1869, launched a near-field communication (NFC) based marketing service for a transparent soy sauce line.

The strikingly clear soy sauce is sold throughout Japan and exported to 25 countries worldwide, including Germany, France and Singapore. The international appeal is particularly evident at Fundodai's Demachi Hisaya antenna store in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, where foreign visitors account for nearly 60% of the customer base. Store staff demonstrate recipes using the transparent soy sauce and other offerings like truffle soy sauce. Intrigued tourists unfamiliar with the product have been spotted photographing recipe cards to reference after purchasing.

In an innovative move to enhance consumer experience, Fundodai has incorporated NFC technology into this unique novelty gift line. The NFC tags serve two key purposes for consumers.

First, they allow the purchaser to verify the product was unopened before purchase. By hovering an NFC-enabled smartphone over the tag, users can confirm the condiment’s bottle has maintained its factory seal.

Secondly, the tags unlock information after the product is opened. With a smartphone tap, customers can instantly access product details as well as an array of recipe suggestions.

The product content will be automatically translated into one of more than 100 languages¹ which is determined by the smartphone's default language setting.

About the NFC application

Near-field communication, or NFC, is a wireless technology that allows two devices to exchange data at close range. Information is read by placing an NFC-equipped device close to the tag on the product to display content via a cloud system with no app required. Information can be provided dynamically with an ID assigned to each product, which allows the manufacturer to obtain details such as the location² where each product was opened. Fundodai will utilize data collected on the location of where purchased products were opened for more targeted marketing.

• 1.Using a web-based translation service
• 2.Location data acquired only upon user consent
• *All company names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Transparent soy sauce NFC service

About Fundodai Corporation

Founded in Kumamoto in 1869, Fundodai is a manufacturer of seasonings with a history of over 150 years. It is committed to contributing to society and the community through food and constantly striving to provide rich flavors, serving as a communication hub for the latest in culinary cultures. With these two goals in mind, the company develops and manufactures soy sauce, miso, seasonings, and other products and is expanding sales channels not only inside Japan, but worldwide.