Participating in the Forefront of Financial DX—Reducing Document Data Entry Time by 80%, Participating in Financial Institution Generative AI Agent Co-creation Projects. A 30-Year Philosophy on a "Workplace Culture that Grows from Failure" as Told by Yuko Honda
Birds Information Science Research Institute, an IT company specializing in BPO and SI services, is expanding its business into financial DX by participating in generative AI agent co-creation projects. This release highlights the company's latest developments and the career philosophy of Yuko Honda, a department manager who has grown alongside the company for 30 years.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 01:04
- 🔍 Collected: March 28, 2026 at 21:59 (20h 54m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 04:20 (414h 20m after Collected)
Birds Information Science Research Institute (Headquarters: Tokyo; Representative Director: Masanori Murase), a member of the Software Association of Japan (SAJ)—which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with over 800 member companies—is an IT company that continues to achieve stable growth through two pillars: a BPO business centered on proprietary OCR technology and an SI business based on direct transactions with major corporations. Against this backdrop, this release introduces the latest business developments of Birds Information Science Research Institute, alongside the career and talent development philosophy of Yuko Honda, who serves as a department manager in the company's SI Business Division.
[Full text here](https://www.saj.or.jp/40th_branding/heroes_birds)
## Toward Eliminating Human Dependency in Financial Institutions—Participating in Generative AI Agent Co-creation Projects
As labor shortages and operational efficiency become cross-industry challenges, breaking away from human dependency has become an urgent management theme for financial institutions. In response to these demands of the times, Birds Information Science Research Institute has decided to participate in a co-creation project utilizing Generative AI (AI agents) that financial institutions are promoting with major vendors.
Having served for many years as a "bridge between paper and data" through OCR technology, FAX processing, and data entry, the company is now expanding its domain to the forefront of business automation using generative AI. The on-site insights cultivated in the BPO business, which handles massive amounts of unstructured data, and the SI implementation capabilities honed through direct transactions with major companies—these two wheels will now be united to solve the social issue of financial DX.
## AI-OCR x kintone x FAX—DX Integrated Solution Shown at "Cybozu Days 2025"
At "Cybozu Days 2025," hosted by Cybozu, Inc. and held at Makuhari Messe from October 27-28, 2025, Birds Information Science Research Institute exhibited two of its proprietary solutions, attracting significant interest from many attendees.
"mojula for kintone" is a plug-in that seamlessly links AI-OCR with kintone. It completes manual input work for paper forms with just two clicks, plus AI-based correction and entry, reducing document data entry time by 80% (compared to our own products). It is an all-cloud service that supports handwriting and various formats, and can also be linked with FAX-received data, realizing a new workflow where "document entry work is just checking AI corrections."
"FAX + kintone" is a cloud integration solution that completes FAX transmission and reception from within a kintone app. It requires no equipment, lines, construction, or development, can be introduced from 3,000 yen per month, and allows for the confirmation and sending of FAXes addressed to the company even in a telework environment. With a track record of implementation in a wide range of industries such as manufacturing, medical/nursing care, finance, and real estate, it is a solution directly linked to promoting DX in workplaces where FAX operations still remain.
While these two services function independently, combining them as "mojula for kintone x FAX + kintone" allows for the end-to-end automation of processes—from receiving a FAX to reading documents, converting them to data, and registering them in kintone—which is a unique strength of the company.
## BPO x SI x AI—Balancing Uniqueness and Stability as a "Research and Development Company"
Ms. Honda explains the strengths of Birds Information Science Research Institute as two pillars and one foundation.
The first pillar is its uniqueness as a research and development company.
"We have developed a BPO business using our own proprietary OCR. We are still expanding our business domain. We have a department that advances research and development, and we are also working on acquiring patents."
The second pillar is its robust customer base as an SI company.
"We work directly as a primary contractor for about three major companies. Because we have two pillars—the BPO business and the SI business—even if one is struggling, we can cooperate to maintain a stable state as a company. That is our strength."
And the foundation supporting these two pillars is the bold expansion into the AI field, symbolized by the participation in the aforementioned generative AI agent co-creation project for financial institutions. The company's stance, where all employees work as one with the management philosophy of sociality, advanced nature, and cooperativeness, is the driving force that allows them to continue meeting the demands of the times.
## 30 Years Since Starting with Zero Computer Knowledge—"I Was Raised Here"
One of the talents who has continued to support such evolution of technology and business from the field is Ms. Yuko Honda. As a department manager in the SI Business Division, Ms. Honda is in charge of renovation and maintenance for sales, billing, and payment systems, and she joined the company 30 years ago with absolutely no knowledge of computers.
"I was researching metals in university, and I actually wanted to be a researcher. But I also wanted money, so I chose to look for a job. I couldn't get hired by metal-related companies, so I consulted with this company where a university senior worked, and through that connection, I joined."
She struggled with email development for the first year, learned systems again after transferring to the support department, and returned to development three years later. Ms. Honda quietly expresses her 30 years of moving forward while feeling lost:
"Really, it's a state of being raised here."
Origins of Handling Defects—A "Overcome Together" Culture Where Even Upper Management Rolls Up Their Sleeves
The starting point of Ms. Honda's career was a project responding to large-scale defects she experienced in her 5th or 6th year at the company. Defects occurred after the release of multiple business systems, and in the workplace where everyone worked to recover, Ms. Honda saw an unforgettable scene.
"We work on Saturdays and Sundays during times that don't affect the business system, and truly important people came and worked together with us. I was moved that I was able to work together with them."
The sense of accomplishment from successfully finishing the production response became the origin of her current professional perspective.
"You get and notice various things in your interactions with people. While incorporating new things, I want to work while interacting with people."
This culture of "overcoming together" is also being passed down to the current challenge of the Generative AI co-creation project.
## "Five Satisfactions"—Management Philosophy Putting Employee Satisfaction Second
Indispensable to discussing the organizational culture of Birds Information Science Research Institute is the company's management philosophy, "Five Satisfactions." While it is natural to put customer satisfaction first, the point that employee satisfaction is placed second shows the essence of this company.
"There is 'Five Satisfactions' in our management philosophy, and while customer satisfaction is obviously first, employee satisfaction is put second. I feel a company culture that values people."
Ms. Honda herself took maternity and childcare leave, and after returning, she built her career steadily while starting with shortened working hours. There are also men who have taken childcare leave, and the company's culture, which has an environment where work-life balance can be realized, is backed by a 30-year track record of personnel retention.
## "Small Failures" Raise People—A Mentorship-Style Mentor Passionate About Nurturing the Next Generation
Currently, what Ms. Honda is focusing most of her energy on is the development of junior staff. While facing the issue of mid-career staff turnover, which is a challenge for the entire IT industry, what Ms. Honda values is the development philosophy of "letting them experience small failures."
"Instead of doing it myself, I have other members do it and gain experience. I want to avoid big failures, but it's fine if they notice and level up through small failures. I feel that society has become an environment that doesn't tolerate failure as much as it used to, so I am careful about that."
As the opening quote suggests, this statement has depth precisely because Ms. Honda herself experienced being saved by a workplace culture where "even if a failure occurred, nobody blamed anyone, and there were proactive initiatives."
"Even when a failure occurred, nobody blamed anyone, and there were proactive initiatives. I was able to think, 'Oh, this way of doing things is good.'"
## Challenge of AI Projects—Walking with Customers Through "Start Small" Proposals
Meanwhile, what Ms. Honda is tackling alongside development is the cultivation of AI projects. While honestly admitting the current trial-and-error state, Ms. Honda talks about how to face customers:
"If you have a lot of things you want to do, it takes a year or six months. But customers must want to feel the results of becoming more convenient in a short period of time. So, I am conscious of starting small and first proposing what can be realized."
This "start small" stance perfectly overlaps with the company's journey, which has developed into a large-scale AI co-creation project for financial institutions. Stacking steady steps eventually leads to major projects at the forefront of the industry—Ms. Honda's personal philosophy and the company's growth strategy are deeply aligned.
## Expectations for SAJ—As a Place for Cross-Industry Exchange within the IT Industry, and as a Contributor
Regarding her involvement with SAJ, while saying that she has only just started participating, Ms. Honda's eyes sparkle at its potential.
"I think companies from various fields of the IT industry are gathered here, so as a form of cross-industry exchange within the IT industry, I would be happy if it could become a place where you can interact with various people and get stimulated. Conversely, as a member of that place, I want to contribute something."
Representative Murase serves as the Vice Chairman at SAJ, and employees participate in commemorative events every year. The journey of Birds Information Science Research Institute embodies the fact that the community called SAJ continues to contribute to both corporate growth and industry development.
[Profile]
Yuko Honda: Department Manager, SI Business Division, Birds Information Science Research Institute. Joined the company 30 years ago with zero computer knowledge. Responsible for the renovation and maintenance of business systems, mainly sales, billing, and payment systems. After returning from maternity and childcare leave, she currently focuses on developing junior staff. Actively tackling AI projects, she keeps in mind "start small" proposals while listening to customer needs.
[Full text here](https://www.saj.or.jp/40th_branding/heroes_birds)
[Software Association of Japan]
The Software Association of Japan (SAJ) is an industry association that connects all companies, organizations, and individuals involved in software and promotes the realization of a digital society. We have welcomed over 800 member companies and have reached our 40th anniversary. We will continue to create the future of software and contribute to the promotion of digitalization both domestically and internationally.
For membership inquiries and details, please contact us from the following page.
Software Association of Japan (SAJ) Secretariat Inquiry Page: https://www.saj.or.jp/contact/
[Related Links]
Full interview article: https://www.saj.or.jp/40th_branding/heroes_birds
List of interview articles for this project: https://www.saj.or.jp/40th_branding
SAJ 40th Anniversary Site: https://40th.saj.or.jp/
Software Association of Japan (SAJ): https://www.saj.or.jp/
Birds Information Science Research Institute Co., Ltd. Official Site: http://www.birds.co.jp/
[Full text here](https://www.saj.or.jp/40th_branding/heroes_birds)
## Toward Eliminating Human Dependency in Financial Institutions—Participating in Generative AI Agent Co-creation Projects
As labor shortages and operational efficiency become cross-industry challenges, breaking away from human dependency has become an urgent management theme for financial institutions. In response to these demands of the times, Birds Information Science Research Institute has decided to participate in a co-creation project utilizing Generative AI (AI agents) that financial institutions are promoting with major vendors.
Having served for many years as a "bridge between paper and data" through OCR technology, FAX processing, and data entry, the company is now expanding its domain to the forefront of business automation using generative AI. The on-site insights cultivated in the BPO business, which handles massive amounts of unstructured data, and the SI implementation capabilities honed through direct transactions with major companies—these two wheels will now be united to solve the social issue of financial DX.
## AI-OCR x kintone x FAX—DX Integrated Solution Shown at "Cybozu Days 2025"
At "Cybozu Days 2025," hosted by Cybozu, Inc. and held at Makuhari Messe from October 27-28, 2025, Birds Information Science Research Institute exhibited two of its proprietary solutions, attracting significant interest from many attendees.
"mojula for kintone" is a plug-in that seamlessly links AI-OCR with kintone. It completes manual input work for paper forms with just two clicks, plus AI-based correction and entry, reducing document data entry time by 80% (compared to our own products). It is an all-cloud service that supports handwriting and various formats, and can also be linked with FAX-received data, realizing a new workflow where "document entry work is just checking AI corrections."
"FAX + kintone" is a cloud integration solution that completes FAX transmission and reception from within a kintone app. It requires no equipment, lines, construction, or development, can be introduced from 3,000 yen per month, and allows for the confirmation and sending of FAXes addressed to the company even in a telework environment. With a track record of implementation in a wide range of industries such as manufacturing, medical/nursing care, finance, and real estate, it is a solution directly linked to promoting DX in workplaces where FAX operations still remain.
While these two services function independently, combining them as "mojula for kintone x FAX + kintone" allows for the end-to-end automation of processes—from receiving a FAX to reading documents, converting them to data, and registering them in kintone—which is a unique strength of the company.
## BPO x SI x AI—Balancing Uniqueness and Stability as a "Research and Development Company"
Ms. Honda explains the strengths of Birds Information Science Research Institute as two pillars and one foundation.
The first pillar is its uniqueness as a research and development company.
"We have developed a BPO business using our own proprietary OCR. We are still expanding our business domain. We have a department that advances research and development, and we are also working on acquiring patents."
The second pillar is its robust customer base as an SI company.
"We work directly as a primary contractor for about three major companies. Because we have two pillars—the BPO business and the SI business—even if one is struggling, we can cooperate to maintain a stable state as a company. That is our strength."
And the foundation supporting these two pillars is the bold expansion into the AI field, symbolized by the participation in the aforementioned generative AI agent co-creation project for financial institutions. The company's stance, where all employees work as one with the management philosophy of sociality, advanced nature, and cooperativeness, is the driving force that allows them to continue meeting the demands of the times.
## 30 Years Since Starting with Zero Computer Knowledge—"I Was Raised Here"
One of the talents who has continued to support such evolution of technology and business from the field is Ms. Yuko Honda. As a department manager in the SI Business Division, Ms. Honda is in charge of renovation and maintenance for sales, billing, and payment systems, and she joined the company 30 years ago with absolutely no knowledge of computers.
"I was researching metals in university, and I actually wanted to be a researcher. But I also wanted money, so I chose to look for a job. I couldn't get hired by metal-related companies, so I consulted with this company where a university senior worked, and through that connection, I joined."
She struggled with email development for the first year, learned systems again after transferring to the support department, and returned to development three years later. Ms. Honda quietly expresses her 30 years of moving forward while feeling lost:
"Really, it's a state of being raised here."
Origins of Handling Defects—A "Overcome Together" Culture Where Even Upper Management Rolls Up Their Sleeves
The starting point of Ms. Honda's career was a project responding to large-scale defects she experienced in her 5th or 6th year at the company. Defects occurred after the release of multiple business systems, and in the workplace where everyone worked to recover, Ms. Honda saw an unforgettable scene.
"We work on Saturdays and Sundays during times that don't affect the business system, and truly important people came and worked together with us. I was moved that I was able to work together with them."
The sense of accomplishment from successfully finishing the production response became the origin of her current professional perspective.
"You get and notice various things in your interactions with people. While incorporating new things, I want to work while interacting with people."
This culture of "overcoming together" is also being passed down to the current challenge of the Generative AI co-creation project.
## "Five Satisfactions"—Management Philosophy Putting Employee Satisfaction Second
Indispensable to discussing the organizational culture of Birds Information Science Research Institute is the company's management philosophy, "Five Satisfactions." While it is natural to put customer satisfaction first, the point that employee satisfaction is placed second shows the essence of this company.
"There is 'Five Satisfactions' in our management philosophy, and while customer satisfaction is obviously first, employee satisfaction is put second. I feel a company culture that values people."
Ms. Honda herself took maternity and childcare leave, and after returning, she built her career steadily while starting with shortened working hours. There are also men who have taken childcare leave, and the company's culture, which has an environment where work-life balance can be realized, is backed by a 30-year track record of personnel retention.
## "Small Failures" Raise People—A Mentorship-Style Mentor Passionate About Nurturing the Next Generation
Currently, what Ms. Honda is focusing most of her energy on is the development of junior staff. While facing the issue of mid-career staff turnover, which is a challenge for the entire IT industry, what Ms. Honda values is the development philosophy of "letting them experience small failures."
"Instead of doing it myself, I have other members do it and gain experience. I want to avoid big failures, but it's fine if they notice and level up through small failures. I feel that society has become an environment that doesn't tolerate failure as much as it used to, so I am careful about that."
As the opening quote suggests, this statement has depth precisely because Ms. Honda herself experienced being saved by a workplace culture where "even if a failure occurred, nobody blamed anyone, and there were proactive initiatives."
"Even when a failure occurred, nobody blamed anyone, and there were proactive initiatives. I was able to think, 'Oh, this way of doing things is good.'"
## Challenge of AI Projects—Walking with Customers Through "Start Small" Proposals
Meanwhile, what Ms. Honda is tackling alongside development is the cultivation of AI projects. While honestly admitting the current trial-and-error state, Ms. Honda talks about how to face customers:
"If you have a lot of things you want to do, it takes a year or six months. But customers must want to feel the results of becoming more convenient in a short period of time. So, I am conscious of starting small and first proposing what can be realized."
This "start small" stance perfectly overlaps with the company's journey, which has developed into a large-scale AI co-creation project for financial institutions. Stacking steady steps eventually leads to major projects at the forefront of the industry—Ms. Honda's personal philosophy and the company's growth strategy are deeply aligned.
## Expectations for SAJ—As a Place for Cross-Industry Exchange within the IT Industry, and as a Contributor
Regarding her involvement with SAJ, while saying that she has only just started participating, Ms. Honda's eyes sparkle at its potential.
"I think companies from various fields of the IT industry are gathered here, so as a form of cross-industry exchange within the IT industry, I would be happy if it could become a place where you can interact with various people and get stimulated. Conversely, as a member of that place, I want to contribute something."
Representative Murase serves as the Vice Chairman at SAJ, and employees participate in commemorative events every year. The journey of Birds Information Science Research Institute embodies the fact that the community called SAJ continues to contribute to both corporate growth and industry development.
[Profile]
Yuko Honda: Department Manager, SI Business Division, Birds Information Science Research Institute. Joined the company 30 years ago with zero computer knowledge. Responsible for the renovation and maintenance of business systems, mainly sales, billing, and payment systems. After returning from maternity and childcare leave, she currently focuses on developing junior staff. Actively tackling AI projects, she keeps in mind "start small" proposals while listening to customer needs.
[Full text here](https://www.saj.or.jp/40th_branding/heroes_birds)
[Software Association of Japan]
The Software Association of Japan (SAJ) is an industry association that connects all companies, organizations, and individuals involved in software and promotes the realization of a digital society. We have welcomed over 800 member companies and have reached our 40th anniversary. We will continue to create the future of software and contribute to the promotion of digitalization both domestically and internationally.
For membership inquiries and details, please contact us from the following page.
Software Association of Japan (SAJ) Secretariat Inquiry Page: https://www.saj.or.jp/contact/
[Related Links]
Full interview article: https://www.saj.or.jp/40th_branding/heroes_birds
List of interview articles for this project: https://www.saj.or.jp/40th_branding
SAJ 40th Anniversary Site: https://40th.saj.or.jp/
Software Association of Japan (SAJ): https://www.saj.or.jp/
Birds Information Science Research Institute Co., Ltd. Official Site: http://www.birds.co.jp/