Mitsubishi Research Institute Releases Survey Results on DX Progress in Japanese Companies [2026 Edition]

Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. (President and CEO: Kenji Yabuta, hereinafter "MRI") has conducted a "Survey on DX Progress" targeting 1,000 employees at private domestic companies in Japan with annual sales exceeding 10 billion yen. This fifth iteration of the survey examines the current state of digital transformation (DX) in Japanese companies and analyzes how the adoption of generative AI and AI agents is transforming corporate management, business processes, organizational structures, infrastructure and controls, and resource allocation.

1. Background

For the first time since the survey began in 2021, this year's results show that the proportion of companies in the business transformation phase has surpassed those in the digitization phase. This shift suggests that the use of generative AI and AI agents is beginning to extend beyond individual task support to the redesign of business operations and organizational structures. In this report, MRI characterizes this emerging corporate state as "AI-First" and analyzes its current reality.

Prepared by Mitsubishi Research Institute

Apply for the DX Survey Report 2026 "Transitioning to AI-First Management: From Business Redesign to Resource Reallocation"

Related Event: "Explained! DX Survey Report 2026 'Transitioning to AI-First Management' (WEB event on Jul 29)" here

2. Overview

The main findings of this report are as follows:

Prepared by Mitsubishi Research Institute

(1) DX is advancing once again: Business transformation surpasses digitization for the first time

The proportion of companies in the business transformation phase reached 40.2%, exceeding the 36.9% in the digitization phase for the first time. This indicates that DX initiatives are broadening in focus—from business process reform to the introduction and enhancement of business systems—and that DX is transitioning into a practical implementation phase.

(2) While consideration of AI-First is spreading, deep integration into core operations faces barriers

75.9% of companies have already begun considering an AI-First approach, with 43.1% targeting financial results by the end of 2026 and 75.4% by the end of 2028. However, the proportion of companies that have deeply embedded AI into core operations and key services as a company-wide standard—defined as the "AI-First Realization" group—remains at only 10.1%.

(3) Large gap exists between intention and execution in resource reallocation

To link AI-First strategies to corporate growth, companies must reallocate resources—funds, talent, and time—from existing domains to new business pillars and growth areas. Only 6.8% of companies both intend and have executed such resource reallocation, while 36.9% have intentions but have not yet taken action.

(4) Four corporate activity areas critical to transitioning to AI-First management

This report identifies key requirements for transitioning to AI-First management across four dimensions: "Management and Business," "Operations," "Organization and Talent," and "Infrastructure and Control." The key is not simply increasing isolated AI initiatives, but identifying business areas for redesign based on a growth hypothesis and integrating these four dimensions to redesign operations. The resulting freed-up capacity should then be reallocated to growth areas.

Apply for the DX Survey Report 2026 "Transitioning to AI-First Management: From Business Redesign to Resource Reallocation"

Related Event: "Explained! DX Survey Report 2026 'Transitioning to AI-First Management' (WEB event on Jul 29)" here

3. Announcement of Related Event: "Explained! DX Survey Report 2026 'Transitioning to AI-First Management' (WEB event on Jul 29)"

MRI will host a web event on July 29 (Wed) to explain the DX Survey Report 2026 "Transitioning to AI-First Management: From Business Redesign to Resource Reallocation." The event will present key findings from the survey and practical insights on how to connect AI-First strategies to business redesign and resource reallocation, drawing on MRI's extensive experience supporting corporate DX and AI adoption.

Event Overview

Title: Explained! DX Survey Report 2026 "Transitioning to AI-First Management"

Date and Time: July 29, 2026 (Wed), 12:10 PM – 12:40 PM (tentative)

Venue: Online

Organizer: Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Registration URL: https://www.mri.co.jp/seminar/20260729.html