AI Utilization Reduces Monthly Work Hours by an Average of 5 Hours, with 40% of Reduced Time Allocated to High-Value Tasks. Kaunet Conducts Survey on AI Usage Among Approximately 300 Employees.

Kaunet Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Noritomo Miyazawa), which provides e-commerce services within the KOKUYO Group, announced the results of a "Survey on AI and System Utilization" conducted among employees belonging to the Business Supplies Business Division of KOKUYO Co., Ltd., including Kaunet, and KOKUYO Supply Logistics Co., Ltd., which handles the KOKUYO Group's logistics functions.

The survey revealed that 76% of respondents use AI tools several times a week or more, achieving an average reduction of approximately 5 work hours per month. Notably, about 40% of the time saved is being used for higher value-added tasks, indicating not just increased efficiency but also a qualitative shift in work.

Furthermore, 73% of employees reported experiencing "improved output quality and acquisition of new perspectives," demonstrating that AI functions not only to streamline work but also as a partner supporting creative tasks.

1. Key Survey Findings

(1) AI Tool Usage: 76% Use Several Times a Week or More

A survey on the frequency of AI tool usage found that 52.0% of respondents use them "daily," and 24.0% use them "several times a week," totaling 76% who utilize AI tools at a high frequency. This indicates that AI is transitioning from a specialized tool to a routine work tool.

(2) Work Hour Reduction Effect: Average of 5 Hours Monthly, 80% Reduce by Over 1 Hour

When asked about the work hour reduction effect from AI tool utilization, the average reduction for all respondents was approximately 5 hours per month. 78.9% achieved a reduction of over 1 hour per month, with the breakdown of reduced hours showing 29.9% for less than 1-3 hours, and 17.4% for less than 3-5 hours. Additionally, 31.6% reduced hours by over 5 hours, and 16.8% reduced hours by over 10 hours.

In particular, departments engaged in transforming their business processes, such as programming support and automated data analysis, have achieved reductions of over 20 hours per month in some cases.

On the other hand, regarding the increase in maintenance and checking time associated with AI utilization, 72.4% responded that "the increase was less than 1 hour," confirming efficient operation while keeping maintenance costs down.

(3) Reallocation of Reduced Time: Approximately 40% to High Value-Added Tasks

When investigating how the time saved is being utilized, the most common response was "Allocated to other core tasks" at 39.8%. This was followed by "Disappeared into other routine tasks without specific intention" at 27.3%, "Allocated to reducing overtime" at 17.4%, and "Acquiring new skills/learning/communication with team members" at approximately 9%.

"Other core tasks" here include high value-added activities within each department, such as planning and strategy development, customer support, specialized analysis, and team management. Approximately 40% of the reduced time is being used for higher value-added tasks, freed from routine work, indicating that AI-driven efficiency leads not only to time savings but also to qualitative changes in work.

Furthermore, the fact that 17.4% allocated time to reducing overtime confirms its contribution to improving work-life balance.

(4) Qualitative Effects: 73% Experience Improved Output Quality

In addition to quantitative effects like time reduction, qualitative changes were also surveyed. As a result, 73.4% of employees (4 or higher on a 5-point scale) reported experiencing "improved output quality and acquisition of new perspectives," achieving the highest satisfaction rate. This was followed by "Increased AI tool utilization skills" at 57.9% and "Reduction in daily work effort and burden" at 57.6%.

Particularly for "improved output quality," the satisfaction rate exceeded that for skill improvement and burden reduction, revealing that the value of AI tools lies not just in "work efficiency" but in their role as a "sounding board/collaborator" that expands human thinking and enhances output quality. This indicates that AI functions as a partner supporting creative tasks, not just streamlining work.

2. Specific Utilization Examples

The following are characteristic utilization examples in the surveyed organizations:

(1) System Development: AI Agent for Development Process

Achieved automatic implementation from design and error analysis through programming support by Claude Code/Devin. Successful reduction of over 20 hours per month.

(2) Product Planning: Development of Specialized Prompts

Developed an "AI Supervisor" for each product planning process. By converting business rules into prompts, high-precision planning has been achieved beyond general-purpose AI.

(3) Sales & Data Analysis: Automation by Non-Engineers

Automated aggregation tasks and data extraction by generating code for GAS, VBA, and SQL (Snowflake) without requiring specialized knowledge.

(4) Logistics: Digitalization of Field Operations

Promoted DX in field operations through creating instruction manuals, data processing/automatic transmission using VBA/GAS, and visualization of pulse survey results, realizing AI implementation specific to logistics sites.

3. Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on AI and System Utilization

Survey Period: May 11 - May 18, 2026

Target Audience: Employees belonging to the Business Supplies Business Division of KOKUYO Co., Ltd. and KOKUYO Supply Logistics Co., Ltd., including Kaunet.

Number of Valid Responses: 304

Survey Method: Online questionnaire (11 questions total)

Survey Execution Body: Kaunet Co., Ltd.

<About Kaunet> (https://www.kokuyo.com/kaunet/)

Kaunet promotes initiatives to create valuable experiences for all working people through technology and creativity, and provides an e-commerce platform usable by organizations of all sizes, from large corporations to small and medium-sized businesses. "Benri Net" (https://www.benrinet.com/), which can be used as a cloud-based managed purchasing system, and "Kaunet" (https://www.kaunet.com/), which allows for quick and easy online purchases, have been supported by many customers over the years.