Expanding AI Service Infrastructure in Anticipation of a 3.39 Million AI Talent Shortage in 2040; New Dedicated Page for AI Skill Professionals and 10 New Specialized Categories to be Established

Coconala Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Ayumu Suzuki; TSE Growth: 4176; hereinafter "the Company") will launch a dedicated registration page today for "AI Skill Professionals," individuals possessing advanced AI skills such as AI engineers, AI consultants, and AI business development personnel.

In addition, the skill marketplace "Coconala Skill Market," where "knowledge, skills, and experience" can be bought and sold, will introduce new specialized categories for AI to capture the rapidly expanding demand for generative AI. The company will expand its AI-related service infrastructure from both demand and supply sides, promoting AI utilization across society.

◼️ Background

While the use of generative AI is rapidly advancing in all aspects of business and daily life, the shortage of specialized professionals with advanced AI skills poses a significant challenge to Japanese society.

A "Survey on IT Human Resources Supply and Demand" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry estimates a shortage of up to approximately 790,000 IT professionals by 2030. Furthermore, the "Employment Structure Projection for 2040" announced by the same ministry in February 2026 projects a shortage of approximately 3.39 million specialized professionals responsible for the utilization of AI and robots by 2040.

In this environment, demand for AI-related services on our platform has also changed over the past few years. As of June 2026, the number of AI-related services listed on "Coconala Skill Market" has increased by 284% compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, inquiries from buyers regarding AI have also become more sophisticated, evolving from "basic usage of generative AI" to practical AI utilization needs related to the core of management and business, such as "seeking an AI consultant to lead DX initiatives within the company" or "entrusting the planning and development of new services utilizing AI."

To address this market supply-demand gap, we will expand our AI-related service infrastructure by attracting highly skilled professionals who will be the service providers (recruiting AI Skill Professionals) and simultaneously expanding our service lineup (establishing new specialized categories for AI).

◼️ Initiative 1: Start Accepting Registrations from "AI Skill Professionals" with Advanced AI Skills

To ensure a stable supply of high-quality services in response to the rapidly growing demand for AI implementation, we are launching a dedicated registration page for AI Skill Professionals with advanced skills. The primary target audience includes freelancers and side-job professionals possessing advanced AI skills such as AI engineers, AI consultants, and AI business development personnel.

Our company provides a unique, highly accurate matching system that visualizes individual skills and appropriately evaluates achievements and expertise to connect buyers and sellers. We aim to expand our service to connect individuals and companies with "ready-to-work AI professionals" whom they can confidently entrust with practical tasks by broadly recruiting excellent freelancers and side-job professionals.

Registration Page for AI Skill Professionals: https://coconala.com/lp/ai-provider/

◼️ Initiative 2: Expansion of Specialized AI-Related Categories on Coconala Skill Market

On "Coconala Skill Market," the provision of services by engineers and consultants with advanced AI skills is increasing. Simultaneously, inquiries from buyers regarding AI have become diverse, ranging from basic knowledge to practical application scenarios. Furthermore, our agent services, "Coconala Tech" and "Coconala Consulting," are receiving numerous inquiries for highly skilled AI engineers and AI consultants capable of leading the development of generative AI implementation strategies.

In the business scene, there is a growing movement to acquire AI skills with a view to utilizing AI in operations. Additionally, corporate needs are emerging for outsourcing entire tasks such as the implementation of AI-powered applications and system development, as well as the production of deliverables requiring advanced expertise.

To meet these diverse demands, we will consolidate and organize AI-related services that were previously dispersed across various categories, and launch new categories specializing in the latest needs, establishing a total of 10 specialized categories in two phases. This will provide end-to-end coverage from AI "utilization and implementation" to "production and delivery of deliverables" using AI, evolving into a platform where users can easily find AI-related services.

[Phase 1: New Categories Established on June 4, 2026]

"AI Utilization Lessons," "AI Implementation & Utilization Support," "AI Application & Agent Development," etc., supporting everything from learning how to use AI to operational implementation and development.

[Phase 2: New Categories Established on July 3, 2026]

"AI Video Generation," "AI Music & Narration Generation," "AI Generated Video Editing & Finishing," etc., producing and delivering deliverables using generative AI.

◼️ Future Outlook

Through the expansion of AI-related categories and the registration of AI Skill Professionals, the Company aims to build a state where "everything related to AI can be found or entrusted within the Coconala economic zone."

Moving forward, we will continue to promptly reflect the rapidly evolving generative AI trends, accurately connect individuals and companies seeking to utilize AI with AI Skill Professionals, and offer a comprehensive range of services in the AI domain from "utilization and implementation" to "production and delivery." By doing so, we aim to realize our vision of "creating a world where each person lives their own story."

Coconala Inc.

(TSE Growth Market, Code Number 4176)

Representative: Ayumu Suzuki, President and CEO

Location: Shibuya Infostower 6F, 20-1 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities:

- "Coconala Skill Market," Japan's largest skill marketplace where knowledge, skills, and experience can be bought and sold. - "Coconala Content Market," a comprehensive marketplace for easily listing and purchasing original digital content. - "Coconala Recruitment," where numerous professionals apply by simply posting job openings or tasks. - "Coconala Scout," allowing direct approach to professional talent perfectly matching needs. - "Coconala Legal Consultation," a search media to find lawyers tailored to individual needs. - "Coconala Tech," providing the fastest proposals for ready-to-work IT freelancers. - "Coconala Assist," entrusting tedious tasks to fully remote assistants. - "Coconala Consulting," where industry-leading professionals drive projects. - "Coconala Pro," introducing top real-name creators optimal for projects. - "Coconala BPO," team-based business support where results-oriented professional groups address business challenges.

Group Companies: Coconala Tech Inc., Mizuho Coconala Inc., Frame Carrier Inc.

Website: https://coconala.co.jp