Latest News
IVRy Launches “Voice Recognition Q&A” Feature That Uses AI to Auto-Generate FAQs from Phone Calls
IVRy Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Ryoga Okunishi) has officially launched a new feature called “Voice Recognition Q&A” for its interactive voice AI service, IVRy. This new feature, available from April 2025, enables AI to analyze incoming phone call content, automatically answer customer inquiries, and generate new Q&A entries based on real conversations.
Previously, phone inquiries were handled using pre-registered FAQs. However, with the Voice Recognition Q&A feature, AI can now study actual call data to detect frequently asked questions and provide suitable answers, while also recommending new FAQ entries specific to each business. If an inquiry cannot be answered through existing Q&A entries, the system can transfer the call to the appropriate department or staff member.
With Japan facing a serious labor shortage, many businesses are under pressure to improve efficiency in phone operations while enhancing customer satisfaction. IVRy already supports automation through features like call routing, SMS messaging, call recording, AI summarization, and CRM integration. This new feature builds on those functions, allowing the system to learn and improve its responses the more it is used.
Asoview Inc., which trialed the feature, reported improved automation and customer experience, especially for users unfamiliar with phone menu navigation. The AI was able to accurately understand callers’ spoken needs and provide appropriate guidance.
IVRy plans to continue enhancing its AI-driven offerings to help businesses improve their customer service and overall efficiency.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news190
One Capital Releases “Japan SaaS Insights 2025” Report on Trends in the SaaS Market
One Capital Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shinji Asada), a venture capital firm that invests in SaaS startups, has released its annual report, “Japan SaaS Insights 2025,” which analyzes the current state and future outlook of Japan’s SaaS industry.
This report, published annually, includes a review of predictions made in the previous year, current market trends, valuations of publicly listed SaaS companies, funding activity among startups, and forecasts for the year ahead.
In the 2024 review, the report notes significant growth in SaaS companies incorporating AI technologies, increased funding in the security and privacy tech sectors, and expanding adoption of SaaS in underdeveloped verticals like agriculture and chemicals.
For 2025, the report highlights the emergence of “Agent as a Service,” where users interact directly with AI agents using natural language. These agents, capable of accessing databases without traditional front-end/back-end structures, are expected to boost development efficiency and user experience.
The report also predicts more workflow automation tools powered by AI and increased M&A or secondary share sales among startups.
Japan’s SaaS market is projected to grow from 1.4 trillion yen in 2024 to 2 trillion yen in 2028, continuing a steady upward trend. While overall startup funding fell 5% year-on-year in 2024, average funding per company rose, indicating a shift toward larger investments in more mature companies.
The report also compares Japanese and U.S. SaaS company valuations, pointing out that Japanese firms, despite demonstrating better revenue and profit balance, are still undervalued compared to their U.S. counterparts. This gap could close as global investor interest rises.
By sharing such market insights, One Capital aims to foster continued growth in the SaaS sector and support promising startups.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news189
Bizibl Earns ISO/IEC 27001 Certification for Information Security Management
Bizibl Technologies Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yohei Hanatani) announced that it has acquired ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, an international standard for information security management systems (ISMS), as of March 17, 2025.
This certification confirms that the company’s approach to managing information assets meets globally recognized standards, as validated by an independent auditing body.
Bizibl's SaaS platform, designed to streamline webinar marketing, handles personal data such as names and email addresses of event participants. With the company's recent growth leading to more employees and increasingly complex workflows, the importance of robust information security has continued to rise.
Additionally, with many companies now requiring ISMS certification when selecting business partners, obtaining this credential significantly boosts customer trust. The certified scope includes the development and operation of Bizibl’s webinar marketing SaaS, and the auditing body was GCERTI Co., Ltd.
Bizibl simplifies and automates webinar operations, offering integrated support from setup to data analysis. It also provides tailored consulting to help businesses maximize marketing outcomes.
With this certification, Bizibl plans to continue strengthening both its security and service quality to ensure users can confidently rely on its platform.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news188
ActRecipe Announces API Integration with "Bakuraku Shinsei" and Adoption by ANYCOLOR Inc.
ActRecipe Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Daisuke Ikegami) has announced that its automation tool "ActRecipe" now supports API integration with LayerX Inc.'s cloud-based workflow system "Bakuraku Shinsei." The integration has also been officially adopted by ANYCOLOR Inc., a leading virtual talent management company.
ActRecipe is an integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) that automates business operations by linking multiple SaaS tools. It allows users to automate tasks through customizable "recipes" without requiring coding skills. With the recent release of Bakuraku Shinsei's API, ANYCOLOR—already an ActRecipe user—requested the integration, which has now been implemented.
Specifically, the system now automatically registers newly approved vendor data and associated budget information from Bakuraku Shinsei into ANYCOLOR's subcontractor management system. This eliminates manual data entry and improves both efficiency and data accuracy.
Additionally, a new free recipe has been launched, allowing users to export approved application data from Bakuraku Shinsei to Google Sheets. This feature can be used to review past records and connect data to other SaaS tools. More integration recipes are planned to meet growing demand.
Since its launch in 2019, ActRecipe has been adopted by major companies and promotes a "Composable Architecture" approach that enables flexible system configuration and optimization. The company aims to continue developing recipes based on client needs to support business process automation and DX initiatives.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news187
Penetrator Raises 550 Million Yen to Expand Real Estate SaaS "WHERE" Using Satellite Data and AI
Penetrator Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takeo Akutsu) has announced that it raised a total of 550 million yen in its Series A funding round to support the growth of its real estate SaaS platform, “WHERE.” Investors include Space Frontier Fund, major financial institutions, and venture capital firms from Japan and abroad. “WHERE” is a cloud-based solution that uses satellite imagery and AI to identify valuable real estate, and has been adopted by leading property developers since its beta release in 2023.
Japan has approximately 120,000 licensed real estate agencies, many of which still rely on analog, personal networks to find property sellers. In response to regulatory changes that allow remote real estate transactions, Penetrator developed “WHERE” to streamline information gathering and outreach, aiming to improve efficiency in real estate procurement.
With this funding, the company plans to strengthen its team, accelerate expansion both domestically and internationally, and build a new data integration platform that combines satellite imagery with additional data sources.
CEO Takeo Akutsu, who has founded multiple real estate businesses and studied space technology, envisions “WHERE” as a tool to bring transparency to property values and shift the industry away from traditional practices. The service also has the potential to contribute to addressing broader issues like rural depopulation, disaster recovery, and urban revitalization.
Penetrator aims to disrupt the real estate market through the power of space and AI, continuing its mission to “transform Earth’s real estate industry from space.”
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news186
SERA Inc. launches "AI Vulnerability Diagnosis Service" to address security risks in generative AI
SERA Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takayoshi Endo) has launched a new service, “AI Vulnerability Diagnosis Service,” to help companies address security issues arising from the use of generative AI in SaaS applications. As the use of AI tools becomes more common, new threats such as prompt injection and unintended leakage of confidential information are drawing attention.
If such vulnerabilities are not addressed before deploying generative AI services, companies could face serious risks, including reputational damage and business disruption. SERA Inc.’s cybersecurity team, which has placed in the top 25 in the global "Gray Swan Arena" AI security competition, provides diagnostic services based on the globally recognized "OWASP Top 10 for LLM" risk categories.
The service supports a wide range of AI implementations, including chatbots using OpenAI APIs and internal productivity tools. It also includes expert-written reports with actionable recommendations and offers support for building secure systems and upskilling development teams in AI safety.
Through this initiative, SERA Inc. aims to help businesses safely implement generative AI technologies in their SaaS operations, supporting digital innovation while minimizing cybersecurity risks.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news185
Leverages Medical Care changes company name to "Levwell Inc." to expand into broader healthcare field
Leverages Medical Care Inc., which operates in the medical, welfare, and healthcare industries through staffing services and cloud-based solutions, has officially changed its name to Levwell Inc. as of April 1, 2025. Alongside this change, the company has renewed its corporate logo and vision, signaling a broader commitment to the entire wellness and healthcare field.
Previously, the company operated under the mission of maximizing the value of professionals supporting medical and caregiving services to create a secure society. With Japan's aging population projected to reach 35% over age 65 by 2040, challenges such as labor shortages and rising medical costs have become more pressing.
As health management, preventive care, nutrition, and mental wellness continue to gain attention, the company aims to address these evolving needs by expanding its service scope beyond just medical and nursing care. The new name, “Levwell,” is a coined term combining “Leverages” and “Wellness,” and was already used for the company’s main services.
Levwell’s new vision is “Supporting wellness in this country,” with a mission to “Face every emotion in the medical, welfare, and healthcare fields.” The company emphasizes the importance of supporting those who work in these industries emotionally, believing that their well-being directly contributes to better experiences for patients and society as a whole.
The new logo symbolizes two people facing each other and holding hands, representing the connections and mutual support among healthcare professionals and the broader community.
Moving forward, Levwell Inc. will continue to address social issues through staffing solutions, digital tools, and business support, aiming to build a society where everyone can access safe and reliable medical, welfare, and healthcare services.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news184
o9 Solutions signs SaaS agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation to support supply chain transformation
o9 Solutions Japan, a provider of supply chain planning platforms based in Minato-ku, Tokyo, announced that it has entered into a SaaS agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation, headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. With this agreement, Toyota expects to improve supply chain operations and enhance overall efficiency.
Chakri Gottemukkala, CEO and Co-founder of o9 Solutions’ U.S. headquarters, commented, “Toyota is a global leader in innovation and is committed to strengthening its supply chain to meet evolving market needs. We are honored to support this initiative and will work to enable better decision-making, stronger supplier collaboration, and a more resilient and adaptable supply chain.”
o9 Solutions, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, offers the AI-powered planning platform “o9 Digital Brain,” which helps large enterprises with demand forecasting, supply planning, and integrated business planning. It is widely adopted across various industries as a powerful solution for digital transformation.
The Japan office was established in 2018 and is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo. CEO Igor Ricaro, who also serves as COO of the U.S. headquarters, plays a key role in advancing operational efficiency both in Japan and globally.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news183
Codmon introduces its ICT system “CoDMON” to 11 after-school care facilities in Kaizuka City, Osaka
Codmon Inc. has announced the implementation of its ICT system “CoDMON” across 11 after-school care centers (called “Rusu Katei Jidokai”) in Kaizuka City, Osaka, starting from April 1, 2025. With this introduction, Kaizuka City aims to reduce the workload of staff members, improve the quality of care, support non-contact environments for infection prevention, and streamline communication with parents as well as the management of children's attendance.
The system allows parents to notify the facility of tardiness or absences via an app, enables staff to send out mass notifications, and includes survey features for attendance checks. In addition, it records children's entry and exit times using QR codes, instantly notifying parents of their child’s status.
Across Japan, the push for digital transformation in government continues, and educational and childcare facilities are no exception. Reports by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology highlight the importance of ICT in improving work efficiency and reducing administrative burdens.
As part of this trend, cloud-based services like SaaS are being widely adopted due to their low initial costs, flexibility, and ease of use—even for non-technical users. These services are preferred for their ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and evolving needs.
The government also recommends selecting services with proven track records and ongoing development support. With CoDMON already adopted by numerous institutions, it is regarded as a reliable solution. Moving forward, Codmon will continue supporting childcare and educational institutions by enhancing their operations through digital tools.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news182
Prazto launches beta version of "Passwork", a cloud-based EAI/ETL tool for business automation
Prazto Inc. announced the launch of the beta version of its new cloud-based data integration tool "Passwork" on April 1, 2025. Designed to meet the needs of complex real-world business processes, Passwork is an EAI/ETL service that allows companies to connect and automate data exchange between multiple systems and cloud-based applications.
While many companies have adopted SaaS tools to improve efficiency, many still rely on traditional on-premise systems, resulting in fragmented or siloed data management. Passwork addresses this issue by offering powerful data transformation and integration capabilities. Users can create workflows using standard components such as branching, replacement, filtering, and aggregation without any coding. For more advanced requirements, the platform also offers script-based components to handle complex customizations.
Despite being a SaaS tool, Passwork is designed to connect securely to internal systems via VPN, allowing seamless data exchange even with on-premise infrastructure. This feature was developed based on Prazto’s experience supporting over 300 clients with Salesforce and Tableau implementations and reflects the company’s deep understanding of practical business needs.
With the launch of the beta version, Prazto aims to reduce the manual work involved in system integration and help businesses streamline operations. Feedback from beta users will be incorporated into the official release, and the company plans to continue enhancing the platform to support digital transformation and operational efficiency across a wide range of industries.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news181
CloudBalanceCore, a kintone-based service, to be integrated into the waste management SaaS “Kankyo Cloud”
FISTBUMP Inc. announced the launch of its kintone-compatible software “CloudBalanceCore” as a SaaS offering through a partnership with Kankyo Digital Solution Inc., which provides the cloud service “Kankyo Cloud” specialized in the waste management industry. This collaboration allows CloudBalanceCore to be incorporated into Kankyo Cloud, enhancing its service functionality and improving the efficiency of business operations for end users.
CloudBalanceCore enables the rapid development and deployment of industry-specific kintone applications and is based on FISTBUMP’s previous work in the legal industry. This solution helps companies build custom systems quickly without heavy development costs, and all maintenance and updates are handled by FISTBUMP.
Kankyo Cloud, developed by experienced professionals in the waste management field, provides centralized management of client data, projects, estimates, dispatching, and schedules, with a focus on usability and flexibility.
By adding CloudBalanceCore as an engine to the existing Kankyo Cloud, FISTBUMP aims to deliver customized features that address specific challenges in the industry. The updated version will first be released to test users, with improvements based on feedback before a full-scale release and promotional efforts begin.
Cybozu Inc., the developer of kintone, expressed support for the collaboration, noting its potential to advance operational improvements in the waste management sector through flexible and integrated solutions.
FISTBUMP continues to focus on delivering adaptable SaaS tools for niche industries, helping businesses improve efficiency and generate new value through digital innovation.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news180
Aoranow and Quality Clouds Partner to Bring Efficient ServiceNow Governance Solutions to Japan
Aoranow Inc. announced a new partnership with UK-based software company Quality Clouds to deliver a governance automation solution tailored for Japanese companies using ServiceNow. This initiative aims to help companies manage their ServiceNow platforms more efficiently by reducing technical debt, improving internal management, and promoting in-house development capabilities through SaaS technology.
As more companies adopt SaaS platforms to streamline operations, managing these increasingly complex systems has become a challenge. Especially with platforms like ServiceNow, internalizing the operation can introduce new problems. To solve this, the new solution combines Quality Clouds' automated best practice monitoring with Aoranow’s deep ServiceNow expertise to provide proactive support.
Quality Clouds offers a platform that monitors over 700 best practice rules and automatically detects issues before they cause problems. This helps prevent inefficient setups and allows companies to manage their systems without over-reliance on vendors. By doing so, businesses can better support their internal development teams and advance digital transformation.
Aoranow stated that through this collaboration, they will continue to help Japanese businesses maximize the value of ServiceNow and support their digital growth with confidence.
source : https://www.xpley.com/ja/news/news179