DX at Japan Pulp & Paper
Message From the CIO
Japan Pulp & Paper is advancing digital transformation (DX) as one of its key approaches to realizing OVOL Vision 2030, which represents the long-term goals the company hopes to accomplish. To create new competitive advantages and continuously enhance corporate value, it is essential that every executive and employee unite in advancing DX.
To clearly define the future direction of our organization and ensure alignment through strong top-down communication, we have formulated the DX Grand Design. Guided by this blueprint, we will further accelerate our DX efforts and continue striving to enhance our corporate value.
DX Grand Design Overview
Japan Pulp & Paper's DX Grand Design was developed to leverage digital capabilities in support of achieving OVOL Vision 2030. It consists of three components: the DX Vision, DX Strategies, and DX Initiatives. OVOL Vision 2030 outlines not only the goal of achieving JPY 25 billion in consolidated ordinary profit, but also the pursuit of three future aspirations:
- To become the world’s leading paper distribution group
- To become a group that contributes to a sustainable society and the global environment
- To become a corporate group that strives to be considered a trustworthy and engaging partner both within and beyond the paper industry
Our DX Grand Design plays a vital role in advancing the achievement and realization of these goals. By driving business transformation and operational innovation through digital technology, it will significantly contribute to the growth of our group and the creation of new corporate value.
DX Vision
This represents the core concept of Japan Pulp & Paper's DX Grand Design, which drives digital transformation in a way that reflects who we are as a company. By combining the values our group cherishes and the actions we expect from our executives and employees with digital technologies, we maximize the power of our people.
DX Vision: People-Centric DX
At Japan Pulp & Paper, DX is a people-centric initiative. By integrating digital technologies with the trust that we have built through our group’s core values — our “Corporate Spirit” of Integrity, Fairness, and Harmony — and with the action principles our employees are expected to embody — Our Principles of Change, Challenge and Create — we will unlock the full potential of our human resources and drive business transformation and value creation.
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Digital technology is a means to achieve value creation and sustainable growth. Based on our people-centric values, we will actively embrace digital technology to improve productivity through the streamlining of existing operations and enhance competitiveness by creating new value. At the same time, we will strengthen the engagement of our executives and employees and deepen and reinforce our relationships with all stakeholders.
Through these efforts, we will continue to promote people-centric DX, advancing toward the realization of OVOL Vision 2030 and the sustainable growth that lies beyond.
DX Strategies
By analyzing our DX Vision and the future direction that our company should pursue, we at Japan Pulp & Paper have formulated six DX strategies that leverage our strengths and support the realization of OVOL Vision 2030, with which the performance metrics for these strategies are aligned.
DX Strategies: Six DX Strategies Leveraging Our Strengths
Maximizing Human Resource Potential Through AI Utilization
We actively promote the use of AI to fully unlock the capabilities of our people. Tasks suited to AI are entrusted to AI, while people focus on what only humans can do. This approach maximizes the strength of our greatest asset: our people.
Strengthening Sales Capabilities
We drive innovation in sales and logistics to reinforce our sales foundation and optimize the entire supply chain. By systematizing and sharing the tacit knowledge accumulated by experienced sales professionals, we build a robust support structure that enhances our ability to serve customers. In addition, we actively apply digital technologies to sales and logistics processes to improve operational efficiency and advance supply chain sophistication.
Creating “Touchpoints” Through Enhanced Communication
By streamlining operations through the leveraging of digital technologies, we reduce time spent on routine tasks and create an environment where executives and employees can focus on higher-value activities. Efficiency is not the goal in itself; rather, the emphasis is on redirecting time and energy toward human-driven value creation — such as generating new customer touchpoints and strengthening communication with stakeholders.
Deepening and Accelerating Data-Driven Decision-Making
We visualize and analyze internal and external data, using the insights gained to deepen and accelerate decision-making in both management and business operations.
Contributing to the Industry
As a leading company in the paper distribution industry, we provide support functions across the entire supply chain and contribute to industry development as a platform provider. To achieve this, we are further strengthening digital governance and promoting responsible DX for society.
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Supporting DX Through Organizational Transformation and Change in Employee Mindset
We are building a self-sustaining DX promotion framework and transforming into an organization that maximizes human potential. Furthermore, by supporting the use of technologies such as AI and providing educational opportunities, we are fostering a mindset for change and developing human resources with digital knowledge capable of driving transformation.
DX Initiatives
Japan Pulp & Paper has consistently promoted DX from two perspectives: “Offensive DX” and “Defensive DX.” The DX Grand Design gives concrete form to both approaches, implementing initiatives that loop these two types of DX together to achieve higher levels of advancement for the company. To execute this, under leadership from management, we will establish a cross-departmental “DX Meetings”, in addition to the specialized organization responsible for DX promotion, and engage the entire company in advancing DX.
Under the belief that “defense creates opportunities for offense and enables new value creation,” we will carry out each initiative accordingly and continue to release concrete examples as part of our company’s DX case studies.
