Japan Research Institute and ULS Consulting Conclude Comprehensive Partnership for Promoting AI-Centered Digital Transformation

　Corporation Japan Research Institute (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Jun Uchikawa, hereinafter "Japan Research Institute") and ULS Consulting Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Yoshinari Yokoyama, hereinafter "ULS Consulting") have concluded a comprehensive partnership (hereinafter "the Partnership") to promote AI-centered digital transformation.
　Both companies will commence collaboration from April 2026, building a strong cooperative structure to advance the sophistication of financial services and the creation of next-generation businesses for the SMBC Group.

■Background of the Partnership Agreement
Due to rapid societal changes driven by digitalization and globalization, financial services are required to be increasingly sophisticated. To accurately respond to diverse societal needs, it is essential not only to have secure and reliable financial systems but also to quickly provide new customer value centered on technology.
　In this context, Japan Research Institute, which leads SMBC Group's various financial services through IT, and ULS Consulting, which supports the creation of next-generation business models, have entered into this Partnership to promote the digital transformation of SMBC Group by combining their respective technological capabilities and knowledge.

■Main Initiatives
　To accelerate the growth of SMBC Group, both companies will jointly promote the following activities. ULS Consulting will establish a dedicated team for this partnership and flexibly allocate personnel to each initiative.

1. Construction of an "AI-Native Development" Model
　We will build a new development model that places AI at the core, rather than as an aid to the development process. Development standards will be redefined with AI utilization as a prerequisite, from planning and conception to design, project management, and implementation.

2. Development of Development Infrastructure and Knowledge Base
　We will proceed with establishing the organizational structure, development platform, and knowledge base to support AI-driven system development.

3. Training and Reskilling of Specialized Personnel
　We will foster talent capable of utilizing generative AI and cutting-edge technologies, expanding the pool of specialized personnel responsible for AI-centric development processes. To accelerate the fusion of business and IT, we will also strengthen business analyst and IT architect talent and ensure the acquisition and retention of necessary skills.

4. Promotion of Individual Projects
　We will jointly carry out actual development projects, fusing the know-how of financial systems cultivated by Japan Research Institute and the business and technology expertise of ULS Consulting through practical application, thereby advancing the sophistication of our systems.

　Through these activities, both companies will establish an AI-utilizing development style and an advanced human resource base, further promoting the strengthening of SMBC Group's digital competitiveness.

[Reference] Company Overviews

・About Japan Research Institute
　 Japan Research Institute is a comprehensive information service company possessing three core functions: think tank, consulting, and IT solutions. As a core company responsible for SMBC Group's IT strategy, it has a wealth of experience in planning and building strategic information systems based on IT, providing outsourcing services, and operating systems for financial institutions.
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