Staffbase Launches Japanese Support for AI Podcast and AI Assistant, Accelerating Japan Expansion to Empower Frontline Employees with AI

Staffbase, the world's first AI-native employee experience platform, today announced the completion of Japanese language support for its 'AI Podcast' and 'AI Assistant' features, designed to enable frontline employees without PC access to leverage AI. These features will be available starting April 2026, allowing frontline workers to access necessary information and complete work tasks entirely through their smartphones.

Staffbase provides services based on an AI-native platform that supports employee engagement and organizational cohesion through internal communication tools such as employee apps, intranets, and emails. The company expanded into Japan, France, Italy, and Spain in 2025 and established a base in Mexico in February 2026, initiating its expansion into Latin America. Currently, Staffbase operates in approximately 50 countries and is used by around 1,500 enterprise companies.

In recent years, as the need for digitalization has grown in fields such as manufacturing, logistics, retail, and healthcare, this Japanese language support will aid Japanese companies in advancing their internal communication and promoting AI-driven operational efficiency.

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◆Background: Making AI Accessible to 'Frontline Employees'

Staffbase emphasizes the widespread adoption of AI among frontline workers, who constitute the majority of a company's workforce. Approximately 80% of the world's workers are frontline workers in fields such as retail, factories, healthcare, logistics, and construction.

However, many AI tools and internal systems have historically been designed primarily for desk workers who use PCs, and have not been fully utilized by frontline employees.

In recent years, the need for digitalization in these frontline settings has been increasing globally.

Japan, in particular, shares many similarities with Germany in its industrial structure, centered around manufacturing and the automotive industry, and faces similar challenges among its frontline employees. Many frontline operations grapple with issues such as not providing PCs to every employee, reliance on paper and Excel for operations, information gaps with headquarters, and operational inefficiencies. Furthermore, they face changes like the increasing diversity of languages due to a rise in foreign workers and an aging workforce.

Staffbase delivers AI-native communication and operational support tools through smartphone apps and other channels, bringing AI to frontline employees who do not have PC access.

This enables:

・Achieving 'knowledge equity' where everyone can access necessary information, supporting the maintenance of Japan's high quality standards.

・Replacing paper-based and manual operations with 'mobile x AI,' accelerating productivity improvements and addressing labor shortages.

・Promoting two-way communication and creating an environment where frontline employees can share opinions and information, thereby contributing to increased engagement and employee retention, and strengthening the company's organizational capabilities.