Sumitomo Corporation Adopts Legalscape, Halving Legal Research Time in New Fields with AI
Sumitomo Corporation has implemented the legal research platform "Legalscape," leveraging AI to reduce research time in new legal fields by more than half. This has accelerated business decision-making, streamlined legal operations, and standardized knowledge.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 04:04 (17h 33m after Collected)
Legalscape Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President & CEO: Itsuki Yagita; hereinafter "Legalscape") has released a case study of Sumitomo Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President & CEO: Shingo Ueno; hereinafter "Sumitomo Corporation") adopting its legal research platform "Legalscape."
Sumitomo Corporation introduced "Legalscape" with the aim of improving the efficiency of research operations and eliminating reliance on individual expertise. Within approximately six months of implementation, they achieved results contributing to faster business decision-making, such as reducing the time required for research in new legal fields to less than half of the conventional time.
■ Full Interview on the Adoption Case Now Available
A detailed interview article regarding this adoption can be viewed at the following URL:
URL: https://www.legalscape.jp/case/sumitomocorp
■ Background: Research Reliance on Individual Expertise and Efficiency as Challenges Amidst Diversified Business Development
As a general trading company with diverse business operations both domestically and internationally, Sumitomo Corporation's legal department often handles cases in legal fields unfamiliar to younger staff, leading to situations where they had to rely on individual knowledge and experience. Furthermore, the need to start by searching for relevant literature related to a legal issue meant that the time cost to reach necessary information was a challenge for advancing legal operations.
In response, the company's DX Response Working Group took the lead in deciding to introduce "Legalscape" as an "AI legal research tool that can quickly obtain highly reliable information."
■ Main Achievements from Implementation
Dramatic Reduction in Research Time: By utilizing the AI research function "Watson & Holmes," initial research that traditionally took one hour was shortened to within 30 minutes.
Real-time Meetings with Business Divisions: Legal questions arising during meetings can be answered with evidence on the spot using "Legalscape." This contributes to accelerating overall business decision-making speed.
Deepening Deliberation with the "Saratoi (Follow-up Question) Function": This function automatically suggests next question candidates for summaries generated by Watson & Holmes, eliminating the need for manual prompt input and allowing legal professionals to delve deeper into issues in line with their thought processes.
Standardization of Knowledge and Smooth Information Sharing: High-quality research is now possible for everyone, from junior to veteran staff, without relying on specific books or intuition. The link sharing function also enables smooth sharing of thought processes with clear references to supporting documents.
■ Comments
Mr. Fujita, Assistant Team Leader, Legal Department
"Legalscape was not just an e-book viewing tool; it was a tool that went beyond imagination, with AI collecting and summarizing information like an excellent secretary. The role of legal affairs is not just to point out risks and apply the brakes. Legalscape is an indispensable tool for quickly organizing issues and moving business decisions forward."
Mr. Nishii, Legal Department
"The UI, which allows simultaneous viewing of AI answers from Watson & Holmes and supporting documents on the same screen, is extremely user-friendly and can be utilized across various fields. Since reliable, evidence-backed answers can be obtained without relying on individual knowledge, I feel it contributes to raising the overall level of the legal department."
■ Company Overview: Sumitomo Corporation
Representative: Shingo Ueno, Representative Director, President & CEO
Headquarters: Otemachi Place East Tower, 2-3-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: 1919
Business Activities: A general trading company engaged in diverse business activities based on a global network and trusted relationships with customers and partners across various industrial sectors.
Official Website: https://www.sumitomocorp.com/ja/jp/
◼️ About the Legal Research Platform "Legalscape"
"Legalscape" is a legal research platform launched in June 2021. AI instantly summarizes necessary legal information, providing the fastest access to what you need to know.
▼ "Legalscape" Service Site
https://www.legalscape.jp/
▼ Download Service Materials
Detailed materials for "Legalscape" can be downloaded here:
https://www.legalscape.jp/contact
In September 2023, Legalscape became the first in Japan to introduce an AI research function combining generative AI with its proprietary natural language processing technology, allowing for an overview of books, laws, and guidelines at a glance.
Sumitomo Corporation introduced "Legalscape" with the aim of improving the efficiency of research operations and eliminating reliance on individual expertise. Within approximately six months of implementation, they achieved results contributing to faster business decision-making, such as reducing the time required for research in new legal fields to less than half of the conventional time.
■ Full Interview on the Adoption Case Now Available
A detailed interview article regarding this adoption can be viewed at the following URL:
URL: https://www.legalscape.jp/case/sumitomocorp
■ Background: Research Reliance on Individual Expertise and Efficiency as Challenges Amidst Diversified Business Development
As a general trading company with diverse business operations both domestically and internationally, Sumitomo Corporation's legal department often handles cases in legal fields unfamiliar to younger staff, leading to situations where they had to rely on individual knowledge and experience. Furthermore, the need to start by searching for relevant literature related to a legal issue meant that the time cost to reach necessary information was a challenge for advancing legal operations.
In response, the company's DX Response Working Group took the lead in deciding to introduce "Legalscape" as an "AI legal research tool that can quickly obtain highly reliable information."
■ Main Achievements from Implementation
Dramatic Reduction in Research Time: By utilizing the AI research function "Watson & Holmes," initial research that traditionally took one hour was shortened to within 30 minutes.
Real-time Meetings with Business Divisions: Legal questions arising during meetings can be answered with evidence on the spot using "Legalscape." This contributes to accelerating overall business decision-making speed.
Deepening Deliberation with the "Saratoi (Follow-up Question) Function": This function automatically suggests next question candidates for summaries generated by Watson & Holmes, eliminating the need for manual prompt input and allowing legal professionals to delve deeper into issues in line with their thought processes.
Standardization of Knowledge and Smooth Information Sharing: High-quality research is now possible for everyone, from junior to veteran staff, without relying on specific books or intuition. The link sharing function also enables smooth sharing of thought processes with clear references to supporting documents.
■ Comments
Mr. Fujita, Assistant Team Leader, Legal Department
"Legalscape was not just an e-book viewing tool; it was a tool that went beyond imagination, with AI collecting and summarizing information like an excellent secretary. The role of legal affairs is not just to point out risks and apply the brakes. Legalscape is an indispensable tool for quickly organizing issues and moving business decisions forward."
Mr. Nishii, Legal Department
"The UI, which allows simultaneous viewing of AI answers from Watson & Holmes and supporting documents on the same screen, is extremely user-friendly and can be utilized across various fields. Since reliable, evidence-backed answers can be obtained without relying on individual knowledge, I feel it contributes to raising the overall level of the legal department."
■ Company Overview: Sumitomo Corporation
Representative: Shingo Ueno, Representative Director, President & CEO
Headquarters: Otemachi Place East Tower, 2-3-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: 1919
Business Activities: A general trading company engaged in diverse business activities based on a global network and trusted relationships with customers and partners across various industrial sectors.
Official Website: https://www.sumitomocorp.com/ja/jp/
◼️ About the Legal Research Platform "Legalscape"
"Legalscape" is a legal research platform launched in June 2021. AI instantly summarizes necessary legal information, providing the fastest access to what you need to know.
▼ "Legalscape" Service Site
https://www.legalscape.jp/
▼ Download Service Materials
Detailed materials for "Legalscape" can be downloaded here:
https://www.legalscape.jp/contact
In September 2023, Legalscape became the first in Japan to introduce an AI research function combining generative AI with its proprietary natural language processing technology, allowing for an overview of books, laws, and guidelines at a glance.