Sumitomo Corporation Adopts Legalscape, Halving Legal Research Time in New Fields Through AI Utilization
Sumitomo Corporation has adopted "Legalscape," an AI-powered legal research platform, to streamline its research operations and eliminate reliance on individual expertise. Within approximately six months of implementation, the company has successfully reduced the time required for legal research in new fields to less than half, contributing to faster business decision-making.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 03:52 (17h 20m after Collected)
Legalscape Inc. (Head Office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Itsuki Yagita, hereinafter "Legalscape") has announced a case study of Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Shingo Ueno, hereinafter "Sumitomo Corporation") implementing its legal research platform, "Legalscape."
Sumitomo Corporation adopted "Legalscape" with the aim of improving the efficiency of research operations and eliminating reliance on individual expertise. Within approximately half a year of its introduction, the company has achieved results contributing to faster business decision-making, such as reducing the time required for research in new legal fields to less than half of the conventional time.
■ Full Interview on Implementation Case Study Now Available
A detailed interview article regarding this implementation can be viewed at the following URL:
URL: https://www.legalscape.jp/case/sumitomocorp
■ Background: Research reliance on individual expertise and efficiency as challenges amidst diversified business development
In the legal department of Sumitomo Corporation, a general trading company with diverse business operations both domestically and internationally, there were many cases where young employees handled legal fields for the first time, often having to rely on individual knowledge and experience. Furthermore, it was necessary to start by searching for literature related to specific legal points, and the time cost involved in reaching necessary information became a challenge for advancing the sophistication of legal operations.
In response, the company's DX Response Working Group took the lead in deciding to adopt "Legalscape" as an "AI legal research tool that can quickly acquire highly reliable information."
■ Main Achievements through Implementation
Dramatic Reduction in Research Time: By utilizing the AI research function "Watson & Holmes," initial research that previously took one hour was reduced to within 30 minutes.
Real-time Meetings with Business Divisions: Legal questions arising during meetings can be addressed on the spot with evidence-based answers using "Legalscape," contributing to the acceleration of overall business decision-making speed.
Deepening of Deliberations through "Saratoi (Follow-up Questioning) Function": This function automatically suggests the next potential questions based on summaries generated by Watson & Holmes, allowing legal professionals to delve deeper into legal points along their thought processes without the hassle of manual prompt input.
Standardization of Knowledge and Smooth Information Sharing: From junior staff to veterans, high-quality research is now possible without relying solely on insights from books. The link sharing function also enables smooth sharing of thought processes with specified reference documents.
■ Comments
Mr. Fujita, Assistant Team Leader, Legal Department:
"Legalscape was not just an e-book viewing tool; it was a tool that went beyond imagination, where AI collected and summarized information like an excellent secretary. The role of legal affairs is not just to point out risks and apply the brakes. Legalscape is an indispensable tool for quickly organizing legal points and advancing business decision-making."
Mr. Nishii, Legal Department:
"The UI, which allows understanding of AI answers by Watson & Holmes and reference documents on the same screen, is extremely user-friendly and can be applied across various fields. As it provides answers backed by solid evidence without relying on individual knowledge, I feel it contributes to raising the overall level of the legal department."
■ Company Overview: Sumitomo Corporation
Representative: Shingo Ueno, Representative Director, President and CEO
Head Office: Otemachi Place East Tower, 2-3-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: 1919
Business Description: A general trading company engaged in diversified business activities based on a global network and trusted relationships with customers and partners across various industrial sectors worldwide.
Official Website: https://www.sumitomocorp.com/ja/jp/
◼️ About Legal Research Platform "Legalscape"
"Legalscape" is a legal research platform that began offering services in June 2021. AI instantly summarizes necessary legal information, allowing for the fastest access to what you want to know.
▼ "Legalscape" Service Website
https://www.legalscape.jp/
▼ Download Service Materials
Detailed materials for "Legalscape" can be downloaded here:
https://www.legalscape.jp/contact
In September 2023, Legalscape was the first in Japan to introduce an AI research function combining generative AI with its proprietary natural language processing technology. It provides an overview of books, laws, and guidelines at a glance.
Sumitomo Corporation adopted "Legalscape" with the aim of improving the efficiency of research operations and eliminating reliance on individual expertise. Within approximately half a year of its introduction, the company has achieved results contributing to faster business decision-making, such as reducing the time required for research in new legal fields to less than half of the conventional time.
■ Full Interview on Implementation Case Study Now Available
A detailed interview article regarding this implementation can be viewed at the following URL:
URL: https://www.legalscape.jp/case/sumitomocorp
■ Background: Research reliance on individual expertise and efficiency as challenges amidst diversified business development
In the legal department of Sumitomo Corporation, a general trading company with diverse business operations both domestically and internationally, there were many cases where young employees handled legal fields for the first time, often having to rely on individual knowledge and experience. Furthermore, it was necessary to start by searching for literature related to specific legal points, and the time cost involved in reaching necessary information became a challenge for advancing the sophistication of legal operations.
In response, the company's DX Response Working Group took the lead in deciding to adopt "Legalscape" as an "AI legal research tool that can quickly acquire highly reliable information."
■ Main Achievements through Implementation
Dramatic Reduction in Research Time: By utilizing the AI research function "Watson & Holmes," initial research that previously took one hour was reduced to within 30 minutes.
Real-time Meetings with Business Divisions: Legal questions arising during meetings can be addressed on the spot with evidence-based answers using "Legalscape," contributing to the acceleration of overall business decision-making speed.
Deepening of Deliberations through "Saratoi (Follow-up Questioning) Function": This function automatically suggests the next potential questions based on summaries generated by Watson & Holmes, allowing legal professionals to delve deeper into legal points along their thought processes without the hassle of manual prompt input.
Standardization of Knowledge and Smooth Information Sharing: From junior staff to veterans, high-quality research is now possible without relying solely on insights from books. The link sharing function also enables smooth sharing of thought processes with specified reference documents.
■ Comments
Mr. Fujita, Assistant Team Leader, Legal Department:
"Legalscape was not just an e-book viewing tool; it was a tool that went beyond imagination, where AI collected and summarized information like an excellent secretary. The role of legal affairs is not just to point out risks and apply the brakes. Legalscape is an indispensable tool for quickly organizing legal points and advancing business decision-making."
Mr. Nishii, Legal Department:
"The UI, which allows understanding of AI answers by Watson & Holmes and reference documents on the same screen, is extremely user-friendly and can be applied across various fields. As it provides answers backed by solid evidence without relying on individual knowledge, I feel it contributes to raising the overall level of the legal department."
■ Company Overview: Sumitomo Corporation
Representative: Shingo Ueno, Representative Director, President and CEO
Head Office: Otemachi Place East Tower, 2-3-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: 1919
Business Description: A general trading company engaged in diversified business activities based on a global network and trusted relationships with customers and partners across various industrial sectors worldwide.
Official Website: https://www.sumitomocorp.com/ja/jp/
◼️ About Legal Research Platform "Legalscape"
"Legalscape" is a legal research platform that began offering services in June 2021. AI instantly summarizes necessary legal information, allowing for the fastest access to what you want to know.
▼ "Legalscape" Service Website
https://www.legalscape.jp/
▼ Download Service Materials
Detailed materials for "Legalscape" can be downloaded here:
https://www.legalscape.jp/contact
In September 2023, Legalscape was the first in Japan to introduce an AI research function combining generative AI with its proprietary natural language processing technology. It provides an overview of books, laws, and guidelines at a glance.