As the theory of the "death of SaaS" gains attention, this article introduces the specific initiatives of 4 Japanese companies using AI to increase service value and pursue growth by turning back-office data into a competitive asset.
Since the beginning of 2026, as debate over the death of SaaS has intensified, the share prices of Salesforce, Intuit, Adobe and ServiceNow in the United States have fallen, and the rise of AI agents has become a market focus. As concerns grow that AI could replace traditional SaaS and that Japanese companies could also be affected, this article examines Japanese companies seeking growth through the use of AI.
ラクス's RakuRaku series is advancing automation using AI, with functions including an AI agent for creating transaction slips, PDF splitting and data conversion, and database construction. Its AI strategy aims for full automation by 2030, backed by ARR of more than ¥50 billion. The company is targeting not only lower churn but also higher average selling prices and service expansion.
Cybozu has announced plans to officially launch AI for kintone. It is expanding AI search and business application generation functions and developing a platform that enables AI agents to participate in business processes, seeking to strengthen its competitiveness in the AI era by using corporate and operational data across functions.
Sansan is leveraging its strength in converting primary information such as business cards, invoices and contracts into data, implementing an AI model called Cello in Bill One and Contract One. Through functions that support document creation and review by referencing contract data, as well as the provision of an MCP server, the company is exploring new revenue opportunities based on its data assets.
Money Forward is rolling out its AI strategy, AI Cowork, which connects the entire back office with accounting at its core. The company aims to create a world in which multiple AI agents collaborate to process accounting operations across functions, and is placing importance on creating value through AI while taking its competitive relationship with ラクス into account.