How Far Has Workplace "Digital Transformation" Really Progressed? About 8 in 10 Employees Feel "Analog Work" Still Exists

Is "DX" Really Advancing?

The terms "DX" and "paperless" have become commonplace.

Yet, when picturing actual workplaces, many people may still find paper documents and fax machines sitting on their desks.

There may still be a gap between the rhetoric and on-the-ground reality.

To explore this, we conducted a joint survey with the digital whiteboard "Mirai Touch Biz" targeting 200 men and women across Japan who answered "employed at a company" in a preliminary survey, focusing on workplace digitalization and DX.

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Survey Overview: "Workplace Digitalization and DX Survey"

Method: Online questionnaire

Survey Period: June 11, 2026 – June 18, 2026

Respondents: Men and women across Japan who indicated in a preliminary survey that they are employed at a company

Valid Responses: 200 samples

Survey Questions:

Question 1: Do you feel digitalization (DX) is advancing in your workplace?

Question 2: In which specific situations do you feel digitalization is advancing? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 3: Do you still feel that analog tasks (handwriting on paper, faxing, printed distribution, etc.) remain?

Question 4: Which specific analog tasks remain? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 5: What impression do you have of "paperless initiatives" in your workplace?

Question 6: Please explain why you chose that impression.

Question 7: What do you think is the biggest barrier to digitalization in your workplace?

Question 8: Please specify what benefits you expect from workplace digitalization.

※ Percentages are rounded to one decimal place; totals may not sum to exactly 100% due to rounding.

55.5% Say Workplace Digitalization Is "Not Advancing"

First, we asked whether respondents feel digitalization (DX) is advancing in their workplace.

The results showed 36.0% feel it is "somewhat advancing," and 8.5% feel it is "greatly advancing," totaling 44.5% who perceive progress.

On the other hand, 32.0% feel it is "not advancing very much," and 23.5% feel it is "not advancing at all," totaling 55.5% who feel digitalization is not progressing.

While "DX" is now a common term in society, it appears that fewer than half of employees actually feel change in their own workplaces.

Most Common Area of Digitalization: "Attendance and Personnel Management" at 65.2%

Next, we asked those who feel digitalization is advancing to specify in which situations they notice it.

The most common response was "attendance and personnel management (timekeeping, various applications, etc.)" at 65.2%.

This was followed by "meetings and discussions (online meetings, paperless materials)" at 50.6%, and "document digitization and electronic contracts" at 43.8%.

It appears digitalization is taking root first in daily tasks such as timekeeping and online meetings. Progress seems to be gradual, starting with the most accessible areas.

77.5% Say "Analog Tasks Still Remain"

Next, we asked whether analog tasks such as handwriting on paper, faxing, and printed document distribution still remain in their workplaces.

The results showed 48.5% feel such tasks "remain to some extent," and 29.0% feel they "remain significantly," totaling 77.5% who perceive ongoing analog work. Nearly 8 in 10 employees feel analog tasks still exist in their workplaces.

Most Common Remaining Analog Task: "Handwriting and Stamping on Paper Documents" at 71.6%

We then asked respondents to specify which analog tasks still persist.

The most common response was "handwriting and stamping on paper documents" at 71.6%.

This was followed by "manual data entry and transcription" at 45.8%, and "fax communication" at 43.2%.

Paper, stamps, and fax machines—longstanding pillars of Japanese workplaces—remain firmly in use.

Handwriting and stamping may be difficult to change unilaterally, as they often depend on clients' or partners' requirements.

89.0% Have a Positive View of Workplace Paperless Initiatives

Next, we asked about impressions of workplace paperless initiatives (replacing paper documents with digital data).

The results showed 33.0% "somewhat agree," 30.5% believe it "has challenges but is necessary," and 25.5% "agree (should be actively promoted)." Combined, 89.0% hold a positive view.

Despite the persistence of analog paper-based tasks, the vast majority view paperless initiatives favorably.

Below are some selected reasons why respondents view paperless initiatives positively:

Reasons for a Positive View of Workplace Paperless Initiatives

・ To avoid wasting paper resources. (Female, 20s)

・ I think it will reduce workload. (Male, 20s)

・ Storing paper documents is troublesome. (Female, 20s)

・ Paper processes take too much time. (Male, 20s)

・ We often have to re-enter the same content. (Female, 30s)

・ Document management will become easier. (Male, 30s)

Many responses highlighted benefits such as resource conservation, time savings, and reduced document management burden. There is a clear desire to be freed from daily small hassles like storing paper and re-entering data.

Biggest Barrier to Digitalization: "Cost of Implementation and Operation" at 28.5%

What, then, is the biggest barrier preventing workplace digitalization?

We asked respondents what they believe is the main obstacle.

The most common response was "cost of implementation and operation" at 28.5%.

This was followed by "inability to change established habits and methods" at 20.0%, and "not knowing how to use the tools" at 14.5%.

Cost, familiarity, and usability—these top concerns are common challenges across many workplaces, not limited to specific industries.

Even with positive attitudes, the initial cost and hurdles may be discouraging action.

Expected Benefits of Digitalization: "Improved Efficiency" and "Time Savings"

Finally, we asked what benefits respondents expect from workplace digitalization. Some responses are shared below:

What specific benefits do you expect from workplace digitalization?

・ Reduce waste of resources. (Female, 20s)

・ Eliminate document loss. (Male, 20s)

・ Enable shorter working hours. (Male, 20s)

・ Avoid repeating the same tasks. (Female, 30s)

・ Faster information sharing. (Female, 30s)

・ Shorten time spent on data entry and document organization to improve productivity. (Male, 30s)

Many responses emphasized benefits like improved efficiency, time savings, and faster information sharing. Some envision concrete solutions to current pain points, such as eliminating document loss or avoiding repetitive tasks.

Conversely, this highlights that such hassles and inefficiencies still exist in today's workplaces—precisely why so many employees are hopeful for change.

Summary

This survey revealed that 55.5% of employees feel digitalization in their workplace is "not advancing," and about 80% feel "analog tasks still remain." The most common remaining analog task is "handwriting and stamping on paper documents."

On the other hand, nearly 90% have a positive view of paperless initiatives, highlighting a gap between the desire for change and the slow pace of progress.

Despite barriers such as cost and entrenched habits, there is clear expectation for improved efficiency and time savings.

Perhaps it's time to start with small steps—re-evaluating easily accessible areas like meetings and discussions. Such incremental changes could be the beginning of real transformation.

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・ Clearly state the source as "a survey conducted by NEXER Co., Ltd. and the digital whiteboard 'Mirai Touch Biz'."

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・ Include a link to the original article (https://biz.mirai-touch.com/column/survey-results-3/)

【About Mirai Touch Biz】

Company: Satsuki Co., Ltd.

Address: Satsuki Building, 4-10-29 Minamishinchi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0081

President and CEO: Yojiro Obae

Tel: 06-6252-4767

URL: https://biz.mirai-touch.com/

Business: Core operations include supplying electronic components, OEM manufacturing, selling educational equipment, and energy-saving materials. The company develops and sells "Mirai Touch Biz," an all-in-one digital whiteboard for enterprises integrating a whiteboard, PC, camera, microphone, and speakers.

Offers models with ChromeOS and Windows. Has sold over 70,000 units cumulatively, adopted by more than 350 companies, with deployment across all 47 prefectures in Japan.

【About NEXER Co., Ltd.】

Head Office: 11F Rise Arena Building, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013

President and CEO: Yuya Miyata

URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp

Business: SEO, web branding, online advertising, website development, media operations