Japan's Trinity Inc. develops AI system to catch thieves of shrine box donations

Nagoya-based Trinity Inc. has developed an artificial intelligence system that detects thefts of cash contributions from offertory boxes in shrines and immediately notifies parishioners of incidents.

Japan's shrines are open 24 hours a day and are often left unstaffed for long periods.

Many visitors to Japan's shrines leave financial contributions in offertory boxes located in front of the shrine's main structure.

Security cameras may detect suspicious conduct such as peeping into an offertory box or stepping behind a box, and the system provides still photographs to registered users via the free messaging app Line.

According to Trinity Inc, because many shrines are maintained by several parishioners, the service will allow any number of people to register.

When a shrine operator complained about thefts of financial contributions, the company began designing the system about two years ago. Syringes and contraception were reportedly discovered on the grounds of another shrine, according to reports.

Before the service's launch, the company says it has had numerous questions from shrines, and it is already working on a new fire detection device that can be used outdoors.