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Shopify's AI Adoption Survey: Insights and Trends

Overview of the Survey

Recently, Shopify Japan, led by Country Manager Michio Baba, released the findings of its annual survey concerning the implementation of AI in business operations for 2025. Conducted between June 30 and July 10, 2025, this global survey encompassed responses from over 4,765 Shopify merchants, including 125 from Japan, showcasing trends across different regions, demographics, and business scales.

Global AI Adoption Trends

Among the global participants, a notable 54% indicated their plans to utilize AI for content creation within the year. This trend was found to be particularly pronounced among older business owners, with 61% of those aged 55 and above expressing interest, compared to 57% of those aged between 35-54, and 47% of the younger demographic (18-34). Furthermore, 47% of respondents are looking to adopt AI for marketing initiatives like product recommendations and social media advertising.

Other areas of AI application identified in the survey included enhancing product images (39%), data analysis and insights extraction (35%), improving customer service (31%), and automating business processes (31%).

Demographic Insights

The survey also unearthed varying adoption trends based on demographic attributes such as age and gender. Males showed a marginally higher inclination towards AI usage, particularly in data analysis (37% of men vs. 32% of women) and customer service (34% of men vs. 29% of women). Among different age groups, younger individuals (18-34) were the most proactive in planning AI implementation for customer service, with 34% indicating intentions compared to 30% for individuals aged 35-54 and 29% aged 55 and over. A similar pattern emerged in the interest in automating business processes.

Japan at the Forefront of AI Adoption

Impressively, 92% of Japanese businesses are keen on integrating AI in their operations this year, placing Japan among the leaders in the Asia-Pacific region, far surpassing Australia and New Zealand's 83%. While some sectors such as marketing and personalization showed a somewhat lower inclination compared to other regions, the overall attitude towards AI adoption among Japanese merchants is notably aggressive.

In terms of prospective AI applications, content generation leads in Japan with 51% of respondents planning to use AI for crafting product descriptions and marketing copy. Following closely were data analysis and insights retrieval (39%), enhancement of product images (32%), improvements in customer service (32%), and business process automation (27%). However, the interest in using AI for marketing actions landed at 29%, below the Asia-Pacific average of 49%, likely due to unique customer engagement approaches prevalent in the Japanese market.

Language Support and AI

Another area where Japanese businesses exhibit a significant edge is in translation support, with 37% planning to introduce AI-based multilingual capabilities, more than double the Asia-Pacific average of 17%. This focus on overcoming language barriers, which have historically hindered cross-border expansion, positions AI as a powerful tool for unlocking new growth opportunities. AI can facilitate the localization of storefronts, marketing materials, and customer support, enabling Japanese businesses to expand confidently into the global market.

Success Stories in AI Implementation

Some Japanese brands are already successfully leveraging AI solutions, notably through Shopify's AI assistant 'Sidekick', enhancing overall efficiency and scalability. For instance, the fashion brand 'Her lip to', spearheaded by Yoshina Kojima, utilizes AI for natural language order data extraction and analysis, automated responses on Shopify functionalities, and localization of product pages. This multifaceted application fosters both operational efficiency and the promotion of cross-border e-commerce.

Additionally, the 'Anker Group', a digital devices manufacturer, employs AI not only in image generation and platform development but also enhances customer support through their AI-based system known as 'Anker AI Assistant'. This innovation reduces wait times for complex inquiries previously requiring human assistance.

Looking Ahead

In response to these findings, Michio Baba, Country Manager of Shopify Japan, articulated the significance of AI, stating, "AI is not just a fleeting trend; it is the future shaping commerce. If businesses do not incorporate AI into their operations now, they risk being left behind." He further highlighted that Shopify's AI functionalities aren't generic tools but are specifically designed to integrate deeply with the Shopify platform, streamlining practical applications. With the introduction of a new theme, 'Horizon', which supports AI-generated content blocks, Shopify aims to significantly ease the process of storefront setup and optimization.

Shopify continues to lead the forefront of commerce innovation, offering state-of-the-art AI tools to merchants worldwide to enhance their operations and customer experiences.

About Shopify

Shopify is a top-tier e-commerce platform offering essential services for businesses of all sizes, from entrepreneurs to large corporations. With operations spanning over 175 countries, Shopify aims to provide an outstanding commerce experience characterized by speed, reliability, and security. With notable clients in Japan such as DAISO, LIFESTOCK, Allbirds, KANADEMONO, and PAUL & JOE, Shopify is committed to delivering exceptional shopping experiences worldwide.

For more details, please visit: Shopify Japan