【Executive Discussion】ITOCHU Corporation × Anfini | “Building Trading Company 3.0”: A Proposal-Driven IT Organization and a “Guerrilla Group Implementing AI”

Harada (原田), who is responsible for ITOCHU Corporation’s IT strategy, and Hashimoto (橋本) of Anfini held a discussion and shared a vision for a “guerrilla force” to accelerate AI implementation by building a proposal-driven rather than consulting-style IT organization. In the discussion, they confirmed the importance of organizational design that enhances execution capabilities on the front lines while maintaining a big-picture perspective.

To advance AI-driven business transformation, the companies outlined a policy of developing talent within the organization with a deep understanding of both AI and business operations, and establishing a structure that integrates the process from proposals through implementation. This includes global expansion encompassing the Vietnam and Hong Kong offices, with local leaders responsible for organizational management and AI initiatives.

Anfini said it would be deeply involved in organizational transformation at the overseas offices and would establish a structure that enables younger employees to discuss business directly with overseas customers by leveraging their English skills and AI knowledge. The discussion also explained the aim of completing SAP S/4HANA’s clean-core transformation and simultaneously developing an integrated data platform and AI infrastructure, thereby centralizing management data and promoting innovation.

The discussion introduced practical initiatives supporting ITOCHU’s company-wide transformation by incorporating Anfini’s strategy and organizational management philosophy. It highlighted a new organizational model that combines strategic vision with execution capabilities, drawing attention to future collaborative developments.