What Does 'Overseas Business in the AI Era' Mean? Digima Analyzes 4,218 Consultation Cases to Release 'Overseas Expansion White Paper 2025-2026'

The overseas business support platform 'Digima~Dejima~' (operated by Resorz Inc., Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) has released the 'Overseas Expansion White Paper 2025-2026', compiled from 4,218 overseas business consultation cases received between April 2025 and March 2026, along with survey results from companies expanding overseas and support providers. The report consists of 94 pages (A4 size) and is available for free download. A YouTube video explaining the key points of the white paper has also been released simultaneously.

■ YouTube Explanatory Video

Based on the main findings of this year's white paper, the video clearly explains the conditions for success in overseas business in the AI era. Even if you don't have time to read the full report, we recommend watching this video first.

[YouTube Video URL]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVzL_FnGZzo

■ About the 'Overseas Expansion White Paper 2025-2026'

Each year, 'Digima~Dejima~' publishes the 'Overseas Expansion White Paper' based on consultation cases received through its service and surveys targeting companies expanding overseas and overseas expansion support providers. The report summarizes previous trends and future forecasts, offering data-driven analysis, country- and industry-specific trend insights, and practical recommendations, serving as a strategic compass for businesses considering or implementing overseas operations.

[Survey Overview]

■ Key Findings of This Year's Survey

[Point 1] The U.S. ranks first for the fifth consecutive year; Taiwan and Thailand rise, while Vietnam drops from 2nd to 7th

In the 2025 ranking of target countries, the United States maintains its top position for the fifth consecutive year with 13.5%. China follows in second place (8.6%), Taiwan rises to third (7.2%) from fourth the previous year, and Thailand moves up to fourth (7.1%). In contrast, Vietnam, which ranked second the previous year, dropped significantly to seventh place with 6.0%. This is not simply due to declining interest, but rather signals that expansion considerations have matured into a 'high-precision decision-making phase'. ASEAN remains highly significant overall, with a shift from concentration on specific countries toward diversification.

[Point 2] Overseas expansion shifts from 'option' to 'business necessity' — revealed by demographic trends

Japan's working-age population (aged 15–64) has decreased from approximately 66 million in 2010 to about 59 million in 2025 — a drop of around 7 million (11%) over 15 years. According to projections by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, this number will further decline to about 53 million by 2035. This makes expansion into overseas markets essential to compensate for shrinking domestic demand, highlighting a clear structural shift. In the consultation data from this white paper, 'shrinking domestic market' was the top reason (37.8%) for considering overseas business, confirming that overseas expansion is becoming an established, rational management decision for sustainable corporate growth.

[Point 3] SMEs take the lead in overseas expansion — companies with 50 or fewer employees account for 56.2%

Among consulting companies, those with '10 or fewer employees' accounted for the largest share at 40.1%, and when combined with '11–50 employees' (16.1%), SMEs with 50 or fewer employees represent 56.2% of all cases. While overseas expansion was once considered a strategy only for large enterprises, improved subsidy and grant systems, along with AI tools enabling market research, multilingual support, and cost estimation, are changing the fixed notion that 'small scale means overseas is difficult'.

[Point 4] AI transforms overseas business — new theme: 'AI and Overseas Expansion'

This year, a new theme 'AI and Overseas Expansion' was introduced. Regarding the impact of AI on overseas business, 'new business opportunities will emerge' was selected by 55.4%, a majority, indicating that most companies view AI not as a threat but as a lever for growth. Meanwhile, the top three success factors were identified as 'unique product/service strength', 'local connections/networks', and 'deep understanding of local culture', revealing that 'on-the-ground capabilities' and 'relational assets' — which AI cannot replace — are the true sources of sustainable competitive advantage in the AI era.

■ Structure of the White Paper (94 pages total)

Part 1: Overseas Expansion Trends of Japanese Companies in 2025 (pp. 05–)

A thorough analysis of the 4,218 consultation cases received by 'Digima~Dejima~', categorized by country, industry, and inquiry type. Includes detailed trends for each target country (U.S., China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Europe), insights by company size and industry, and predictive reports for success.

Part 2: Survey on Companies Expanding Overseas (pp. 48–)

Based on survey responses from 193 companies considering or implementing overseas expansion, this section analyzes multiple aspects including selection criteria for target countries, entry methods, processes, funding, foreign talent utilization, sales channel expansion, and AI adoption. Comparative data with 'companies that have sustained overseas operations for over three years (successful companies)' is included throughout, clarifying the factors that differentiate success from failure.

Part 3: Survey on Overseas Expansion Support Providers (pp. 76–)

A survey conducted with 151 companies and experts involved in overseas expansion support. Includes frontline insights only visible from the support side, such as 'industries with current opportunities', 'factors determining success or failure', 'what companies should prepare before expansion', and transformations in support services in the AI era.

■ Download Information

The 'Overseas Expansion White Paper 2025-2026' is available for free download from the official 'Digima~Dejima~' website. Please use it as a valuable resource when implementing or considering overseas business.

[Download URL]

https://www.digima-japan.com/event-news/lp/hakusho2025-2026/

[YouTube Video URL]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVzL_FnGZzo

■ About Digima~Dejima~

Digima~Dejima~ is a specialized platform that aggregates all information related to overseas business. With the mission of 'creating 10,000 successful Japanese companies in global markets', it provides news, know-how articles, information on support companies, and listings of overseas business-related seminars.

https://www.digima-japan.com/

■ Media Contact

Resorz Inc., Public Relations

Contact: Chiaki

Email: media@resorz.co.jp