Mikimori signs primary distributor agreement with Gausium in Japan, enters commercial cleaning robot market

Mikimori says it is launching its AI-powered commercial cleaning robot business in earnest and will promote labor-saving measures at sites in Japan.

The agreement is a sign of the shift toward automation in Japan’s cleaning industry and offers a new option for worksites grappling with labor shortages. Attention will focus on whether the partnership between Mikimori and Gausium can accelerate the adoption of cleaning robots in Japan and contribute to the industry’s sustainability.

The agreement can be seen as part of a broader effort to make labor-saving measures through robot adoption a reality in Japan’s cleaning industry, which faces labor shortages and an aging workforce. Mikimori will use its corporate network, built through its diversified businesses, to adapt Gausium’s technology to the Japanese market. For Gausium, the agreement provides a route into the Japanese market. There is no direct connection to this newspaper’s previous coverage, but the cleaning robot market is growing rapidly: according to IDC research, it grew 48.5% in 2025 from a year earlier, making it the fastest-growing segment among commercial service robots. This growth indicates that the technology has moved beyond trials in specific industries and is being integrated into daily operations. Against this backdrop, Mikimori’s entry could accelerate adoption in Japan. Wider adoption of cleaning robots could also improve working conditions in the building maintenance industry and encourage more young people to enter the field. At the same time, existing cleaning service providers will need to transform their work processes to incorporate robots. It is important to note that the claim that Gausium ranks No. 1 in global market share refers to the manufacturer’s company ranking, not the ranking of a specific model or of Mikimori. Unresolved questions include the actual number of units deployed, utilization rates, customer response and the use of subsidy programs. Mikimori plans to offer leases and maintenance services, but has not disclosed specific prices or service details. The market’s development warrants close attention.

The offerings will cover sites ranging from small stores to large facilities. Customers can purchase the robots outright or lease them, with maintenance available separately. The company will also handle related equipment, including workstations and automatic charging docks.

Japan’s cleaning industry has an aging workforce, with 57.9% of workers aged 60 or older, and labor shortages are becoming more severe. If Mikimori’s entry leads to broader adoption of cleaning robots, it could reduce workloads at job sites and improve working conditions. In the building maintenance industry, which has a market size of about ¥5.5 trillion, cleaning automation is expected to become increasingly important as infrastructure for business continuity.