#Japan #Tokyo #Dooox #AI Workshop #Morikawa Sangyo

Morikawa Sangyo's Bold Steps into Digital Transformation

On January 15, 2026, Morikawa Sangyo, a century-old trading company specializing in medical health products, reached a significant milestone in its journey towards digital transformation by hosting a practical AI workshop. This event, which took place at their headquarters in Chuo, Tokyo, attracted a total of 29 attendees, including executives and employees.

Background of the Workshop

Founded in 1916, Morikawa Sangyo has a long-standing reputation and a history of reliability in wholesale medical supplies. However, the company has sensed the urgency of adapting to the rapidly changing business landscape, particularly in the realm of digital technology. President Yasuhiro Nihei expressed a pressing need for reform, acknowledging that the company was currently trailing significantly in IT advancement. He shared his desire to catch up, stating, "We are five laps behind in IT and we need to reduce that to three."

To overcome the challenges posed by security concerns and a lack of usage among employees regarding generative AI technologies, Morikawa Sangyo partnered with Dooox, a company based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, to conduct this workshop. Under the leadership of Dooox Executive Officer Shuhei Suehiro, participants were guided through a two-hour session designed to equip them with foundational knowledge and practical applications of generative AI.

Workshop Details

• - Workshop Name: Practicing Generative AI to Take the First Step in DX
• - Date: January 15, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• - Location: Morikawa Sangyo Headquarters, Kodenmachō, Tokyo
• - Participants: 29 attendees including representatives and executives
• - Instructor: Shuhei Suehiro, Executive Officer, Dooox

Workshop Content

The workshop focused on three key points aimed at enhancing understanding and practical utilization of generative AI:

1. Separate Input and Output Uses: The workshop emphasized distinguishing between using AI for input support—creating learning materials tailored to personal levels—and for enhancing outputs, thereby improving the quality of results. The importance of human involvement in both aspects was highlighted to ensure AI does not entirely replace the human touch.

2. Identifying Automatable Tasks: Participants explored how to replace time-consuming tasks with generative AI solutions. Identified tasks for potential AI integration included:
- Document creation
- Meeting notes transcription
- Summary of vast data sets
- Translation
- Creating standardized texts
Participants were encouraged to inventory their own tasks and consider automation possibilities.

3. Improving and Automating Processes: The workshop introduced how generative AI could be utilized to automate cumbersome tasks that often hinder productivity. Participants learned that AI technologies can facilitate the creation of automation frameworks without necessitating specialized knowledge. Real-life applications were demonstrated, reinforcing the concept that learning can occur through hands-on experiences.

During the latter part of the workshop, attendees practiced using AI tools to generate images with Nano Banana, create voice outputs with notebookLM, and develop management applications through Google Apps Script (GAS). This practical experience fostered a creative environment where ideas flourished, and the psychological barriers to adopting AI technology diminished.

Participant Feedback

A post-workshop survey yielded many positive responses from attendees who expressed enthusiasm about the new knowledge and capabilities discovered during the session. Highlights from their feedback included:

• - President Yasuhiro Nihei shared his enthusiasm about harnessing AI, stating, "We are five laps behind, and I expect various applications from this experience."
• - An executive described gaining clarity on generative AI and expressed optimism for employee involvement as a catalyst for further learning.
• - A member from the sales department noted the fresh insights and eagerness to explore tools like Gemini for creating presentations.
• - Inventory management staff remarked on a newfound understanding of AI's relevance in today's world.
• - A finance team member shared that they had only known basic tools but were now eager to explore a wider range of generative AI technologies.

Future Outlook

The workshop marked a crucial step for Morikawa Sangyo as it ventures into the digital age, redefining their processes and embracing new technologies. This commitment to evolve from a company experiencing a lag in IT to one that strives for improvement and innovation serves as an inspiration to other historic entities in Japan.

Looking ahead, Dooox plans to conduct further generative AI workshops nationwide, supporting businesses in addressing non-urgent yet critical challenges, ultimately contributing to the digital transformation of Japan's industrial landscape.

About Morikawa Sangyo

• - CEO: Yasuhiro Nihei
• - Headquarters: 17-9 Kodenmachō, Nihonbashi, Chuo, Tokyo
• - Founded: 1924
• - Business: Wholesale medical health products
• - Website: Morikawa Sangyo

For over a century, Morikawa Sangyo has supplied high-quality health products to medical facilities and has been a cornerstone in supporting the healthcare and caregiving industries in Japan. Continuing this legacy, the aim is to provide products and information that adapt to individual lifestyles.

About Dooox

• - CEO: Ryosuke Kubotera
• - Headquarters: 8-4-13 Nishi Gotanda, Shinagawa, Tokyo
• - Founded: June 2021
• - Website: Dooox

Dooox focuses on fostering a world where individuals are passionate about their daily narratives and supports new challenges across various sectors. Their initiatives aim to create actionable frameworks that drive community engagement and business growth.