Craftbank President to Speak at Seminar for Regional Financial Institutions Hosted by Nikkin, Alongside MUFG Capital Executive Officer

Craftbank Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Youngji Han; hereinafter "Craftbank") will sponsor the "DX/AX Support for SMEs ~Productivity Revolution for SMEs Led by Regional Financial Institutions~" web seminar to be held on July 15, 2026 (Wed). President & CEO Youngji Han will be a speaker in Session 4, "The Role of Financial Institutions in Leading the Successful Adoption of AI/DX in Small and Medium-Sized Construction Companies - Realities and Success Stories from Partnerships with 68 Banks," alongside Mr. Junichi Taguchi, Executive Officer, Head of Investment Division II at Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd.

The construction industry is a cornerstone of the regional economy, accounting for approximately 5-6% of Japan's GDP (*1) and employing about 5 million people (*2). However, it faces numerous structural challenges, including issues with construction periods and costs, an aging and difficult-to-recruit construction workforce, and generational succession problems for management. Digital transformation is urgently needed to improve business operations.

As of June 2026, our company has partnered with 68 financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, and is providing nationwide support for co-creation of AI/DX for construction management, acting as a bridge through regional financial institutions.

In this seminar, through a dialogue with Mr. Junichi Taguchi, who has collaborated with regional banks and credit unions nationwide as a bank-affiliated capitalist, we will provide concrete insights into the role regional financial institutions should play in supporting the DX (Digital Transformation) and AX (AI Transformation) of small and medium-sized construction companies, and the importance of acting now.

(*1) "The Japanese Economy and the Construction Industry" by the Japan Federation of Construction Contractors (JCFC)

(*2) "Current Status of the Construction Industry: Construction Labor" by the Japan Federation of Construction Contractors (JCFC)

[Background]

The construction industry is a vital sector for regional financial institutions, consistently ranking among the top 3 in loan balances by industry for nearly all regional banks and credit unions. However, with the strengthening of overtime work regulations in 2024 (*3), the aging and difficulty in recruiting construction workers, and the concentration of business owners in their 70s leading to succession issues, the digitalization of small and medium-sized construction companies (specialty contractors) is an urgent challenge.

In this context, regional financial institutions that have construction companies as clients are well-positioned to become "trusted points of contact" who know their clients best, and can take on the role of supporting DX and AX.

Our company has established a unique model for reaching the management of small and medium-sized construction companies through financial institutions, and is working to improve productivity and secure a workforce in the regional construction industry through partnerships with banks and credit unions.

(*3) The overtime work hour limit was applied to the construction industry starting April 2024.

[About the Presentation Content]

In this presentation, we will explain "Why DX for construction companies cannot progress without going through regional banks and credit unions," from both an investor's perspective and a field perspective.

Construction company executives will not act on DX proposals from unknown parties. The long-standing trust relationship with loan officers is the only channel of trust, and we will explain with specific examples the structure where the door only opens when regional financial institutions engage by saying, "Let's think about it together."

Furthermore, Mr. Junichi Taguchi will discuss from an investor's viewpoint the business opportunities for regional banks and credit unions that move ahead as AX (AI utilization) in the construction industry is expected to fully take off in the next 2-3 years.

[About this Web Seminar]

It is a critical issue for regional companies to enhance their productivity and strengthen their "earning power" through IT/digitalization, DX, and AX utilizing AI. In this context, the role of regional financial institutions, which are familiar with the management challenges of companies, in functioning as "support hubs" and strengthening their hands-on support through strategic utilization of national subsidy programs and collaboration with external experts is becoming increasingly important.

This web seminar will provide hints useful for supporting client companies by deciphering the roles and support methods required of regional financial institutions through sharing the latest policy trends surrounding IT/digitalization, DX, and AX for SMEs, and advanced support examples by regional financial institutions.

Event Name

[Web Seminar] DX/AX Support for SMEs ~Productivity Revolution for SMEs Led by Regional Financial Institutions~

Broadcast Date and Time

July 15, 2026 (Wed) 13:00 - 15:40 (Missed viewing available)

Participation Fee

Free (Advance registration required)

Capacity

200 people

Format

Online

Target Audience

Personnel at regional financial institutions responsible for IT consulting and DX/AX support for client companies (e.g., Headquarters Consulting Department, Sales Promotion Department, System Department, Branches)

Organizer

Nippon Kin'yu Tsushinsha (Nikkin)

Sponsor

Craftbank Co., Ltd.

Application URL

https://client.events.nikkin.co.jp/ticket/IS7ke1Rmow

[About Craftbank]

Craftbank Co., Ltd. is a co-creation company for construction management AI/DX support, with roots in interior construction companies. Its core service is "Craftbank Office," which digitizes operations such as management, labor, and recruitment for small and medium-sized construction companies. The company has regional representatives in 31 prefectures and provides support nationwide. Through partnerships with over 60 financial institutions, it supports productivity improvement and workforce acquisition in the construction industry. It operates "Shokunin Sakaba®" (over 200 events nationwide, with over 7,600 participants) and the "Craftbank Research Institute," a specialized research organization for the construction industry. The company has raised a cumulative total of 4.37 billion yen.

[Contact for Media Inquiries] [Contact for Seminar Inquiries]

Craftbank Co., Ltd. Craftbank Co., Ltd.

Public Relations: Yokota Partner Solutions Department: Uno

E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

URL: https://tayori.com/f/craft-bank

[Craftbank Co., Ltd.] (URL: https://corp.craft-bank.com/)

Company Name

Craftbank Co., Ltd.

Location

DeLCCS Nihonbashi Hisamatsu-cho 8F, 12-8 Nihonbashi Hisamatsu-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Representative

President & CEO Youngji Han

Business Description

SaaS for the construction industry, AI/DX consulting, BPO support services / Industry revitalization support services

Capital

100 million yen

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