Trend Survey on the Utilization of Information Systems and Digital Technologies by Companies Expanding Overseas
Business Engineering Corporation released the 2026 edition of its survey on IT and digital technology utilization by Japanese companies expanding overseas, supervised by Deloitte Tohmatsu. It reveals key challenges including the quality of localization and severe shortages of AI and IT talent.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 20:00
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Business Engineering Corporation (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Masakazu Haneda, hereinafter "B-EN-G") today announced the results of the "Trend Survey on the Utilization of Information Systems and Digital Technologies by Companies Expanding Overseas (2026 Edition)". The survey targeted Japanese headquarters and overseas local subsidiaries of Japanese companies with overseas operations, and was supervised by Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Executive Officer: Kenichi Kimura).
Amidst drastic fluctuations in overseas economic and social conditions, this survey aimed to clarify the relationship between the "maturity" of Japanese companies expanding overseas and the IT systems and DX promotion that support it. The survey targeted Japanese companies with local subsidiaries overseas, regardless of business scale or industry.
[Key Findings of the Survey]
In this survey, we defined three stages of maturity models for the development of overseas business, from the "initial stage of overseas expansion" to the "ideal state" (Figure 1), and analyzed the current status of Japanese companies. As a result, while institutional localization is progressing in many companies, such as the ratio of overseas talent (non-Japanese) in management positions at major overseas bases and the transfer of certain authorities, a significant gap from the ideal state was highlighted in the "quality" of operations, such as decision-making processes and the sophistication of IT utilization. Specifically, the following three challenges were identified: (1) the barrier of the "quality" of localization (localization of management), (2) the shortage of AI and IT personnel, and (3) delays in moving away from analog foundations.
1) The barrier of the "quality" of localization (localization of management)
Although the "number" of overseas personnel is sufficient, "decision-making" remains Japan-led. Even for companies that have been operating for a long time since establishment, they have not reached autonomous value creation, highlighting the barrier of the "quality" of localization. (Figures 3, 5)
2) Shortage of AI and IT personnel
There is a strong sense of issue that the utilization of advanced technologies such as AI is insufficient, but the biggest barrier behind this is the "shortage of personnel," which ranked first for three consecutive surveys. Approximately 60% of respondents cited this issue, underscoring its severity. Especially at overseas bases, presenting an "attractive career path" to attract advanced AI and IT talent holds the key to growth. (Figure 15)
3) Delays in moving away from analog foundations
While the need for IT enhancement at overseas bases has reached over 90% (91.9%) (Figure 2), Excel management still remains in many companies. Building a foundation to "break away from analog" to support real-time management decisions has become an urgent task (Figure 19).
[Survey Overview]
- Survey Title: "Trend Survey on the Utilization of Information Systems and Digital Technologies by Companies Expanding Overseas (2026 Edition): The 'Quality' of Localization in Question for Enhancing Global Management Maturity - Transformation through Information System Development and Human Resource Cultivation as a Management Foundation is Indispensable"
Download URL: https://info.b-en-g.co.jp/offering/globalreport_2026
- Survey Purpose: To clarify the "maturity" and actual state of IT/DX promotion at overseas bases.
- Survey Target: Japanese companies with overseas bases, Japanese headquarters and overseas local subsidiaries, headquarters of all industries, and employees of overseas local subsidiaries. *The main locations of overseas local subsidiaries are Asia and India.
- Survey Method: Web questionnaire
- Survey Period: January 7 to January 31, 2026
- Valid Responses: 660
- Respondent Attributes: Japanese Headquarters: 18.6% / Overseas Local Subsidiaries: 81.4%
Manufacturing: 58.0% / Non-manufacturing: 42.0%
- Supervisor: Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC
- Cooperation: Kyodo News Digital Co., Ltd., NNA Co., Ltd.
- Main Survey Contents:
- Impact of changes in international situations on overseas business
- Management and operational issues (multiple answers up to 3 items, by region)
- Necessity to strengthen IT utilization at overseas bases (single answer)
- Issues regarding initiatives for information systems/digital technologies, including ERP, and DX (multiple answers up to 3 items, by region)
- Ratio of overseas personnel in management positions at overseas bases, regarding management decision-making, etc.
[Reference: 2024 Edition]
- Survey Title: "Trend Survey on the Utilization of Information Systems and Digital Technologies by Companies Expanding Overseas (2024 Edition)"
Download URL: https://info.b-en-g.co.jp/offering/globalreport_2024
B-EN-G will continue to conduct similar surveys periodically to understand the challenges faced by Japanese headquarters and overseas local subsidiaries of Japanese companies with overseas bases, and provide services and products to solve them.
*When citing the results of this survey, please write [From Business Engineering Corporation's "Trend Survey on the Utilization of Information Systems and Digital Technologies by Companies Expanding Overseas 2026 Edition"].
About Business Engineering Corporation (B-EN-G)
Business Engineering was the first to introduce SAP ERP in Japan in the early 1990s.
Amidst drastic fluctuations in overseas economic and social conditions, this survey aimed to clarify the relationship between the "maturity" of Japanese companies expanding overseas and the IT systems and DX promotion that support it. The survey targeted Japanese companies with local subsidiaries overseas, regardless of business scale or industry.
[Key Findings of the Survey]
In this survey, we defined three stages of maturity models for the development of overseas business, from the "initial stage of overseas expansion" to the "ideal state" (Figure 1), and analyzed the current status of Japanese companies. As a result, while institutional localization is progressing in many companies, such as the ratio of overseas talent (non-Japanese) in management positions at major overseas bases and the transfer of certain authorities, a significant gap from the ideal state was highlighted in the "quality" of operations, such as decision-making processes and the sophistication of IT utilization. Specifically, the following three challenges were identified: (1) the barrier of the "quality" of localization (localization of management), (2) the shortage of AI and IT personnel, and (3) delays in moving away from analog foundations.
1) The barrier of the "quality" of localization (localization of management)
Although the "number" of overseas personnel is sufficient, "decision-making" remains Japan-led. Even for companies that have been operating for a long time since establishment, they have not reached autonomous value creation, highlighting the barrier of the "quality" of localization. (Figures 3, 5)
2) Shortage of AI and IT personnel
There is a strong sense of issue that the utilization of advanced technologies such as AI is insufficient, but the biggest barrier behind this is the "shortage of personnel," which ranked first for three consecutive surveys. Approximately 60% of respondents cited this issue, underscoring its severity. Especially at overseas bases, presenting an "attractive career path" to attract advanced AI and IT talent holds the key to growth. (Figure 15)
3) Delays in moving away from analog foundations
While the need for IT enhancement at overseas bases has reached over 90% (91.9%) (Figure 2), Excel management still remains in many companies. Building a foundation to "break away from analog" to support real-time management decisions has become an urgent task (Figure 19).
[Survey Overview]
- Survey Title: "Trend Survey on the Utilization of Information Systems and Digital Technologies by Companies Expanding Overseas (2026 Edition): The 'Quality' of Localization in Question for Enhancing Global Management Maturity - Transformation through Information System Development and Human Resource Cultivation as a Management Foundation is Indispensable"
Download URL: https://info.b-en-g.co.jp/offering/globalreport_2026
- Survey Purpose: To clarify the "maturity" and actual state of IT/DX promotion at overseas bases.
- Survey Target: Japanese companies with overseas bases, Japanese headquarters and overseas local subsidiaries, headquarters of all industries, and employees of overseas local subsidiaries. *The main locations of overseas local subsidiaries are Asia and India.
- Survey Method: Web questionnaire
- Survey Period: January 7 to January 31, 2026
- Valid Responses: 660
- Respondent Attributes: Japanese Headquarters: 18.6% / Overseas Local Subsidiaries: 81.4%
Manufacturing: 58.0% / Non-manufacturing: 42.0%
- Supervisor: Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC
- Cooperation: Kyodo News Digital Co., Ltd., NNA Co., Ltd.
- Main Survey Contents:
- Impact of changes in international situations on overseas business
- Management and operational issues (multiple answers up to 3 items, by region)
- Necessity to strengthen IT utilization at overseas bases (single answer)
- Issues regarding initiatives for information systems/digital technologies, including ERP, and DX (multiple answers up to 3 items, by region)
- Ratio of overseas personnel in management positions at overseas bases, regarding management decision-making, etc.
[Reference: 2024 Edition]
- Survey Title: "Trend Survey on the Utilization of Information Systems and Digital Technologies by Companies Expanding Overseas (2024 Edition)"
Download URL: https://info.b-en-g.co.jp/offering/globalreport_2024
B-EN-G will continue to conduct similar surveys periodically to understand the challenges faced by Japanese headquarters and overseas local subsidiaries of Japanese companies with overseas bases, and provide services and products to solve them.
*When citing the results of this survey, please write [From Business Engineering Corporation's "Trend Survey on the Utilization of Information Systems and Digital Technologies by Companies Expanding Overseas 2026 Edition"].
About Business Engineering Corporation (B-EN-G)
Business Engineering was the first to introduce SAP ERP in Japan in the early 1990s.