Sojitz’s presence in Vietnam dates back to 1986, when its predecessor, Nissho Iwai, became the first company from a country associated with the Western Bloc to receive approval from the Vietnamese government to establish a liaison office. Today, Ms. Arakawa says, Sojitz operates more than 20 companies across various industries throughout Vietnam, working together with local partners to create value.

She also outlined the firm’s company-wide “Digital-in-All” strategy. “Sojitz is leveraging AI and data technologies across all its business areas to boost the value and competitiveness of existing businesses while also pursuing value creation through new business development.”

On the AI front, Sojitz is focusing on “physical AI” utilization—building AI into industrial machinery and other infrastructure. One example is the company’s bluefin tuna aquaculture business in Takashima, Nagasaki. To reduce the feed costs that account for around 60% of total operating expenses, Sojitz has introduced a satiety detection system that combines underwater cameras with AI. Using AI to precisely determine optimal feeding volumes—something that was previously difficult in large, deep enclosures—has slashed feed waste. Synergy between this and other technologies like net damage detection AI and a red tide forecasting system has pushed up business profits by 12%.

Ms. Arakawa identified data and talent as critical to AI utilization. In relation to data, she noted that the most valuable data is not publicly available open data but rather data which a company has accumulated through its own experience and operations. “How the data is collected is also key, because that determines whether AI can learn effectively,” she added.

With seven business divisions—including automotive and retail and consumer services—and between 400 and 500 operating companies, Sojitz manages a highly diverse portfolio involving a wide range of information. Ms. Arakawa explained that because each business domain generates completely different types of data, a company-wide effort is underway to determine how best to leverage that domain-specific data to create value.

Developing digital experts in two skill areas

Sojitz created its own internal training program in 2022 and has since been using this system to develop a workforce of digital experts.

The company focuses on two main skill domains. The first is “AI/Data Utilization,” which includes a program for learning to utilize data and AI. This program aims at building the skillsets typically associated with AI scientists and data scientists.

The second is “Business Design,” which features a program for the development of professionals who can create revenue-generating business models using digital technologies — the skills required of business leaders and business creation leaders.

Across both domains, training is structured into five levels from “Entry” through to “Thought Leader.” Particular emphasis is placed on cultivating personnel at the “Expert” level (Level 4). “Our goal is to train DX experts who can effectively leverage AI so that we can generate revenue through the combination of people, technology, and data,” Ms. Arakawa explained.

Steady progress is being made toward the company’s aim of around 1,000 employees (50% of its career-track workforce) completing the “Experienced” level training by March 2027, with 10% of that group (about 200 employees) achieving “Expert” level.

Currently, four of Sojitz’s seven Business Division COOs have completed the “Expert” course. This involves approximately 190 hours of study over around seven months, followed by case study work and a final project submission. According to Ms. Arakawa, the objective is to equip participants with the skills to translate digital-driven value creation into real business outcomes.

Why is Sojitz tackling DX expert training on this scale? “It’s an expression of our determination to leverage technology across the company to create value and advance Sojitz to the next stage as a general trader,” Ms. Arakawa said.

Need for regular program review

Ms. Arakawa emphasized the critical importance of sustainable human resource development—in other words, not simply creating training programs but also continuously updating them as necessary in response to the market and technological landscape.

“We created our program back in 2022, so now it needs updating to reflect subsequent technological advances, just like a software update,” she said. In fact, Sojitz announced its DX Expert Training Program 2.0 in November 2025.

With the update, even employees who have completed the course are expected to continue developing their skills. “The message is that becoming an expert does not mean an end to learning; learning must be ongoing.”

Ms. Arakawa says that she is confident that the Sojitz training program could be applied by any company. “By investing in digital expert training and combining people, technology and data, all companies can pursue further value creation.”