Verifying the True Nature of "SaaS is Dead" - Redefining SaaS for the AI Era and the Dilemma of Japanese Companies
A survey by TechTouch on "SaaS is Dead" found that over half of large Japanese companies feel challenged by manual tasks on SaaS that AI could automate. However, only 24.8% prioritize adopting new AI-driven SaaS, highlighting Japan's dilemma in redefining SaaS for the AI era.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 14:59 (27 min after Collected)
### Press Release Information
Title: Verifying the True Nature of "SaaS is Dead" - Redefining SaaS for the AI Era and the Dilemma of Japanese Companies
Subtitle:
Company Name:
Industry:
Body (first 8000 characters): TechTouch Inc. conducted a "SaaS is Dead" verification survey targeting 109 information system and DX promotion managers and executives at large companies with over 1,000 employees.
In recent years, while the notion of "SaaS is Dead" has been whispered in some circles, this survey aimed to clarify whether large companies are actually experiencing "DX results" through SaaS adoption, or what kind of challenges are emerging at the operational level. The results showed that while over half feel challenged by manual tasks on SaaS that AI could automate, only 24.8% prioritize the adoption of new AI-driven SaaS. The issue is not whether SaaS is good or bad, but "how to redefine it for the AI era." Japanese companies are now at this critical juncture.
- 01｜Over half feel challenged by manual tasks on SaaS
- 02｜The value sought in SaaS is shifting from "operability" to "AI-driven operational support"
- 03｜Conversely, there is a cautious stance towards adopting new AI-driven SaaS (limited transition)
Download this survey here: https://techtouch.jp/resources/ebook_saas-is-dead2026/
### Survey Overview
Survey Name: "SaaS is Dead" Verification Survey 2026
Survey Method: Internet survey planned by research marketing "Resapy®︎" provided by IDEATECH
Survey Period: April 9, 2026 - April 10, 2026
Valid Responses: 109 information system and DX promotion managers and executives at large companies (over 1,000 employees)
* Note: Ratios are rounded to the nearest second decimal place, so the total may not always be 100.
### Beyond the "SaaS is Dead" Argument, What Do Japanese Companies Feel?
Regarding the discussion of "SaaS is Dead," 53.2% of respondents, more than half, answered "I know about it" or "I've heard about it." On the other hand, about 45% answered "I don't know," indicating a variation in awareness.
However, what is noteworthy is that regardless of this difference in awareness, common challenges are already apparent at the operational level.
When asked, "Q1. Are you aware that the discussion 'SaaS is Dead' is spreading?" (n=109), 28.4% responded "I know about it," and 24.8% responded "I've heard about it but don't know the details" regarding the "SaaS is Dead" discussion. On the other hand, 45.0% responded "I don't know," revealing a variation in awareness.
- I know about it: 28.4%
- I've heard about it but don't know the details: 24.8%
- I don't know: 45.0%
- I don't know/cannot answer: 1.8%
### The Problem Was Not SaaS Itself, But "What People Are Doing"
The survey results showed that over half (50.5%) felt challenged by the situation where "tasks that AI could automate and streamline" are still being performed manually by people on SaaS.
Specifically, routine information processing tasks such as "data aggregation and processing" (56.4%) and "creating routine reports" (50.9%) were cited as top issues.
Furthermore, tasks such as "data entry," "checking and correcting input errors," and "approval and confirmation processes" still rely on human effort, revealing the reality that SaaS continues to be used as a "tool operated by people."
This result indicates that the essence of the problem is not SaaS itself, but the "way of doing business."
When asked, "Q2. How do you feel about the current situation in your company's SaaS usage where 'tasks that AI could automate and streamline' are still being performed manually by humans?" (n=109), 19.3% responded "I feel a significant challenge," and 31.2% responded "I feel some challenge."
- I feel a significant challenge: 19.3%
- I feel some challenge: 31.2%
- I don't feel much challenge: 28.4%
- I don't feel any challenge at all: 7.3%
- I don't know/cannot answer: 13.8%
When asked, "Q3. For those who answered 'I feel a significant challenge' or 'I feel some challenge' in Q2, please tell us specifically in what situations you feel challenged (multiple answers)." (n=55), 56.4% responded "manually aggregating and processing data," 50.9% responded "manually creating routine reports," and 34.5% responded "the burden of learning how to operate SaaS itself."
<Key Responses
Keywords:
Title: Verifying the True Nature of "SaaS is Dead" - Redefining SaaS for the AI Era and the Dilemma of Japanese Companies
Subtitle:
Company Name:
Industry:
Body (first 8000 characters): TechTouch Inc. conducted a "SaaS is Dead" verification survey targeting 109 information system and DX promotion managers and executives at large companies with over 1,000 employees.
In recent years, while the notion of "SaaS is Dead" has been whispered in some circles, this survey aimed to clarify whether large companies are actually experiencing "DX results" through SaaS adoption, or what kind of challenges are emerging at the operational level. The results showed that while over half feel challenged by manual tasks on SaaS that AI could automate, only 24.8% prioritize the adoption of new AI-driven SaaS. The issue is not whether SaaS is good or bad, but "how to redefine it for the AI era." Japanese companies are now at this critical juncture.
- 01｜Over half feel challenged by manual tasks on SaaS
- 02｜The value sought in SaaS is shifting from "operability" to "AI-driven operational support"
- 03｜Conversely, there is a cautious stance towards adopting new AI-driven SaaS (limited transition)
Download this survey here: https://techtouch.jp/resources/ebook_saas-is-dead2026/
### Survey Overview
Survey Name: "SaaS is Dead" Verification Survey 2026
Survey Method: Internet survey planned by research marketing "Resapy®︎" provided by IDEATECH
Survey Period: April 9, 2026 - April 10, 2026
Valid Responses: 109 information system and DX promotion managers and executives at large companies (over 1,000 employees)
* Note: Ratios are rounded to the nearest second decimal place, so the total may not always be 100.
### Beyond the "SaaS is Dead" Argument, What Do Japanese Companies Feel?
Regarding the discussion of "SaaS is Dead," 53.2% of respondents, more than half, answered "I know about it" or "I've heard about it." On the other hand, about 45% answered "I don't know," indicating a variation in awareness.
However, what is noteworthy is that regardless of this difference in awareness, common challenges are already apparent at the operational level.
When asked, "Q1. Are you aware that the discussion 'SaaS is Dead' is spreading?" (n=109), 28.4% responded "I know about it," and 24.8% responded "I've heard about it but don't know the details" regarding the "SaaS is Dead" discussion. On the other hand, 45.0% responded "I don't know," revealing a variation in awareness.
- I know about it: 28.4%
- I've heard about it but don't know the details: 24.8%
- I don't know: 45.0%
- I don't know/cannot answer: 1.8%
### The Problem Was Not SaaS Itself, But "What People Are Doing"
The survey results showed that over half (50.5%) felt challenged by the situation where "tasks that AI could automate and streamline" are still being performed manually by people on SaaS.
Specifically, routine information processing tasks such as "data aggregation and processing" (56.4%) and "creating routine reports" (50.9%) were cited as top issues.
Furthermore, tasks such as "data entry," "checking and correcting input errors," and "approval and confirmation processes" still rely on human effort, revealing the reality that SaaS continues to be used as a "tool operated by people."
This result indicates that the essence of the problem is not SaaS itself, but the "way of doing business."
When asked, "Q2. How do you feel about the current situation in your company's SaaS usage where 'tasks that AI could automate and streamline' are still being performed manually by humans?" (n=109), 19.3% responded "I feel a significant challenge," and 31.2% responded "I feel some challenge."
- I feel a significant challenge: 19.3%
- I feel some challenge: 31.2%
- I don't feel much challenge: 28.4%
- I don't feel any challenge at all: 7.3%
- I don't know/cannot answer: 13.8%
When asked, "Q3. For those who answered 'I feel a significant challenge' or 'I feel some challenge' in Q2, please tell us specifically in what situations you feel challenged (multiple answers)." (n=55), 56.4% responded "manually aggregating and processing data," 50.9% responded "manually creating routine reports," and 34.5% responded "the burden of learning how to operate SaaS itself."
<Key Responses
Keywords: