[Event Report] Naoto Watanabe, Director and Kumamoto Branch Manager of Arsaga Partners, Spoke at Kumamoto Bank's DX and AI Seminar
On April 24, 2026, Naoto Watanabe, Director at Arsaga Partners, presented at a seminar hosted by Kumamoto Bank titled 'Investment in the Future: DX and AI Proposals for SMEs.' Held as part of a strategic partnership between the two companies, the event provided practical guidance on DX implementation and AI utilization for small and medium-sized enterprises.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 21, 2026 at 11:41 (10 min after Collected)
Arsaga Partners, a company driving digital transformation (DX) for enterprises, announced that Naoto Watanabe, Director and Kumamoto Branch Manager, spoke at the 'Investment in the Future: DX and AI Proposals for SMEs' seminar hosted by Kumamoto Bank on Friday, April 24, 2026.
The seminar was organized to help regional SMEs address management challenges and boost digitization efforts. During his presentation, Watanabe explained practical steps for DX and strategic website management.
■ Background of the Presentation
Arsaga Partners entered into a business alliance with Kumamoto Bank in March 2026. As the business environment for regional companies changes rapidly, promoting DX to improve efficiency and transform business models has become an urgent priority. By combining Kumamoto Bank's regional network with Arsaga Partners' digital skills, the two companies established a structure to provide comprehensive, hands-on support.
This seminar was part of this collaborative effort to empower regional enterprises in their digitization journey.
■ Speaker Profile
Naoto Watanabe, Director and Kumamoto Branch Manager
After graduating from technical college, Watanabe established Frontier Vision Co., Ltd. in 2003 and managed the company as representative for 18 years. Focused on 'strengthening SMEs through design and IT,' he engaged in web design, system development, cloud implementation support, and app/game development.
As the No. 1 web design firm in Kumamoto, the company achieved 18 consecutive years of revenue growth, serving over 800 clients. He acquired IT consultancy expertise in business strategy and web promotion.
Following the merger of Frontier Vision and Arsaga Partners in July 2021, he became a Director at the latter. He is focused on expanding regional DX, particularly in the western Japan region including Kyushu. His motto is: 'Live rightly for the sake of the world and others.'
■ Key Presentation Content
In his presentation, Watanabe covered practical DX strategies for regional enterprises based on three pillars: 'Utilization of AI tools,' 'Strategic website management,' and 'Data utilization.'
● DX is Urgent for Business Improvement
At the beginning of the seminar, Watanabe addressed a challenge faced by many SMEs: 'non-productive time' hidden in daily operations. He pointed out that time wasted on document searching and manual paper processing is not just a loss of expenses but a drain on the company's future and profit.
He emphasized the importance of 'starting small' by lowering psychological hurdles as the first step to solving these issues and moving toward full-scale DX. Specifically, he recommended utilizing Google Workspace, which includes 'Gemini' as a standard feature, to create an environment where staff can get accustomed to AI. He stated that shifting awareness from 'asking AI for help' to 'letting AI handle the work' is the shortcut to sustainable growth.
● Websites as the 'Best Salesman'
Moving to 'Proactive DX,' Watanabe explained the strategic operation of websites. A website is not just a company's face; it is a 24/7 sales asset—in other words, the 'best salesman.'
Consequently, neglecting outdated designs or websites that are not smartphone-friendly leads to significant opportunity losses. Just as people are expected to be presentable, websites require 'cleanliness.' Watanabe stated that website renewal should be viewed not as a cost, but as an investment that generates future revenue.
● Starting Data Utilization
Regarding data utilization, he explained that there is no need to aim for massive system introductions from the start. Although data is called the 'oil of the 21st century,' it has no value if left unprocessed.
It is important to start by organizing and analyzing existing information using tools like Excel. He explained the necessity of shifting away from management based on intuition or experience toward 'data-driven management' based on objective information.
● Principles for Avoiding DX Failure
Finally, Watanabe touched upon typical failure cases in DX adoption. Cases where companies offload requirements to system firms or make tool adoption the goal itself are common. These stem from the common underlying issue of not having organized their own business workflows.
The shortcut to success is to first visualize operations, then 'start small' after lowering psychological hurdles. He concluded that it is important to take the step of 'making major changes' only after narrowing down the target processes.
The seminar was organized to help regional SMEs address management challenges and boost digitization efforts. During his presentation, Watanabe explained practical steps for DX and strategic website management.
■ Background of the Presentation
Arsaga Partners entered into a business alliance with Kumamoto Bank in March 2026. As the business environment for regional companies changes rapidly, promoting DX to improve efficiency and transform business models has become an urgent priority. By combining Kumamoto Bank's regional network with Arsaga Partners' digital skills, the two companies established a structure to provide comprehensive, hands-on support.
This seminar was part of this collaborative effort to empower regional enterprises in their digitization journey.
■ Speaker Profile
Naoto Watanabe, Director and Kumamoto Branch Manager
After graduating from technical college, Watanabe established Frontier Vision Co., Ltd. in 2003 and managed the company as representative for 18 years. Focused on 'strengthening SMEs through design and IT,' he engaged in web design, system development, cloud implementation support, and app/game development.
As the No. 1 web design firm in Kumamoto, the company achieved 18 consecutive years of revenue growth, serving over 800 clients. He acquired IT consultancy expertise in business strategy and web promotion.
Following the merger of Frontier Vision and Arsaga Partners in July 2021, he became a Director at the latter. He is focused on expanding regional DX, particularly in the western Japan region including Kyushu. His motto is: 'Live rightly for the sake of the world and others.'
■ Key Presentation Content
In his presentation, Watanabe covered practical DX strategies for regional enterprises based on three pillars: 'Utilization of AI tools,' 'Strategic website management,' and 'Data utilization.'
● DX is Urgent for Business Improvement
At the beginning of the seminar, Watanabe addressed a challenge faced by many SMEs: 'non-productive time' hidden in daily operations. He pointed out that time wasted on document searching and manual paper processing is not just a loss of expenses but a drain on the company's future and profit.
He emphasized the importance of 'starting small' by lowering psychological hurdles as the first step to solving these issues and moving toward full-scale DX. Specifically, he recommended utilizing Google Workspace, which includes 'Gemini' as a standard feature, to create an environment where staff can get accustomed to AI. He stated that shifting awareness from 'asking AI for help' to 'letting AI handle the work' is the shortcut to sustainable growth.
● Websites as the 'Best Salesman'
Moving to 'Proactive DX,' Watanabe explained the strategic operation of websites. A website is not just a company's face; it is a 24/7 sales asset—in other words, the 'best salesman.'
Consequently, neglecting outdated designs or websites that are not smartphone-friendly leads to significant opportunity losses. Just as people are expected to be presentable, websites require 'cleanliness.' Watanabe stated that website renewal should be viewed not as a cost, but as an investment that generates future revenue.
● Starting Data Utilization
Regarding data utilization, he explained that there is no need to aim for massive system introductions from the start. Although data is called the 'oil of the 21st century,' it has no value if left unprocessed.
It is important to start by organizing and analyzing existing information using tools like Excel. He explained the necessity of shifting away from management based on intuition or experience toward 'data-driven management' based on objective information.
● Principles for Avoiding DX Failure
Finally, Watanabe touched upon typical failure cases in DX adoption. Cases where companies offload requirements to system firms or make tool adoption the goal itself are common. These stem from the common underlying issue of not having organized their own business workflows.
The shortcut to success is to first visualize operations, then 'start small' after lowering psychological hurdles. He concluded that it is important to take the step of 'making major changes' only after narrowing down the target processes.
FAQ
Why do SMEs struggle with DX?
Because they often focus on tool implementation without organizing their business processes, or attempt to start with a barrier that is too high.
How can I start DX with a small step?
By incorporating AI-integrated tools like Google Workspace into daily operations and accumulating small successes in efficiency.
What role does a website play in DX?
It acts as a '24/7 sales representative.' When maintained properly, it is an investment that generates future revenue rather than just a cost.