Supporting Digital Transformation as a Marubeni Subsidiary

──Digital Experts Inc. is a subsidiary of Marubeni that specializes in digital technology. Could you share how Digital Experts Inc. was founded?

Abe:Previously, Marubeni’s Digital Innovation Department focused on transforming business operations through digital technologies. However, we recognized the need for a specialized development team to manage a range of diverse projects. Digital Experts Inc. was created to internalize development, achieving greater speed and flexibility than relying on external vendors.

Harada:As a subsidiary, we closely collaborate with the Digital Innovation Department on various projects. We specialize in small-scale agile development and are currently involved in around 20 to 30 projects, with team sizes ranging from one to 10 members.

──What specific projects are you handling?

Tajima:I’m collaborating closely with data scientists abroad to utilize AI to forecast infrastructure damage in support of Marubeni’s overseas operations.

Goto:I’m involved in AI-driven analysis and forecasting in the solar power generation sector. Other team members are developing vehicle reservation systems for companies and local governments. Our project scope is quite broad.

Okamoto:In many cases, the Digital Innovation Department handles consulting tasks, such as coordinating with the business side and conducting interviews, while we focus on development and implementation. However, these roles are not strictly divided, and we sometimes work directly with members of the Sales Department and clients. Even though we are separate entities, we collaborate closely on each project.

Fostering a Culture of Innovation and Initiative

──It seems you are engaged in a wider range of activities than a typical development company.

Tajima:The flexibility we enjoy is very rewarding. Leveraging Marubeni’s domain expertise and sharing the culture of a trading company are advantages that other vendors don’t have.

Goto:Within Digital Experts Inc., we have members with diverse specialties, including AI, software development, and design. We are issue-driven rather than purely tech-driven, selecting the optimal methods to address each unique challenge.

Okamoto:Compared to other IT vendors, our skill level is quite high. Having worked as a freelancer for various companies, I’ve seen that at Digital Experts Inc., each person not only has their own area of expertise but also maintains a high baseline skill level. This allows for considerable autonomy.

Team members are empowered to propose solutions proactively, rather than just following orders. Since we are deeply embedded in the business, we frequently provide advice and insights, even on projects we are not directly involved in.

Abe:We foster an environment where everyone feels free to speak openly. Each member has significant discretion, and even if someone makes a mistake, they aren’t immediately dismissed. This culture encourages independent project management.

Driving Marubeni's Growth Through Expertise

──It seems likely that collaboration with the Marubeni Group will only deepen in the future.

Harada:Our mission at Digital Experts Inc. is to spearhead Marubeni Group’s digital innovation. To achieve this, we must secure a competitive edge in the digital domain. Given Marubeni Group’s extensive business scope, we aim to broaden our involvement across more domains.

Goto:From a skills perspective, each of us must continuously acquire new knowledge while actively challenging ourselves in different fields. I hope to contribute by enhancing our skills while also improving the Marubeni Group’s bottom line.

Okamoto:We need to build a sustainable organizational structure that functions effectively despite personnel changes, avoiding reliance on individual expertise.

Abe:Given the number of projects we’re handling, we sometimes face resource shortages. Over the next year or two, we aim to strengthen our organizational structure to alleviate these constraints.

Tajima:It would be ideal to attract people who are eager to learn and have a strong sense of curiosity. Because our projects are issue-driven, we often need to learn new technologies on the go. Given the diversity of our projects, both B2B and B2C, it’s an exciting environment for those interested in tackling a variety of issues and challenges.

Personally, I manage my work while also attending university, and one of Digital Experts’ key attractions is its flexibility. Remote work, including from rural areas, highlights the value of an environment that allows team members to operate flexibly while leveraging their unique strengths. We hope to contribute to the entire Marubeni Group by bolstering our ranks with an even greater variety of expertise.