An interview with CEO Kaneki was published in the international news agency “The Worldfolio.”

An interview with CEO Kaneki was published on the website of the British international news agency *The Worldfolio*. This article is the full version of the interview that served as the basis for a feature article recently published in *Newsweek International* (October 2, 2026 issue).

The article discusses the current state of " digital transformation" in Japanese companies and the challenges faced by sales teams on the ground. It also explores why "face-to-face customer touchpoint" is a key differentiator in an era where AI is taking over knowledge-intensive tasks, and examines the value that modern field sales teams bring to the table.

Summary of the Published Article (English)

• Publication Name: The Worldfolio
• Article Title: How UPWARD Uses AI to Transform Field Sales and Customer Relationships
• Published: November 12, 2026
• URL: https://www.theworldfolio.com/interviews/how-upward-uses-ai-to-transform-field-sales-and-customer-relationships/7595/

Key Points from the Interview

• The Current State of " digital transformation" in Japanese Companies and Improving Operational Productivity: The Importance of Ensuring That Digital Transformation—Which Is Primarily Taking Place in Large Corporations—Penetrates Deeply into the Daily On-Site Work of Every Individual Employee
• The Value of Field Sales in the Age of AI: Why, Precisely Because of the Advancing Automation Driven by AI, the “Unique Strengths of Humans”—such as engaging directly with customers and building trusting relationships—Determine a Company’s Competitive Edge
• Focus on the “Last Mile” in Field Sales: Learn about UPWARD’s approach to coexisting and integrating with major existing CRM platforms, using location-based technology and “Field AI” to automate logand monetize field activities.
• Expansion into Global Markets: Future Overseas Growth Strategies Centered on the Bangkok Office