JustSystems

Basic Information

Stock Code
4686
Industry
Information and Communications
Category Detail
Systems & Software
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
June 1981
Listing Year
October 1997
Official Website
https://www.justsystems.com/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

JustSystems, founded in 1981, is a leading company in the information and communications industry that has established a solid position with Japanese language processing technology and correspondence education business, centered on software for education and offices.

Current Situation

JustSystems recorded consolidated sales of approximately 42 billion yen and net profit of approximately 13.4 billion yen for the fiscal year ended March 2023, maintaining a solid management base. Its flagship products, the Japanese input software ATOK and word processor software Ichitaro, receive high acclaim in the Japanese market. In the correspondence education field, the tablet-based curriculum Smile Zemi for elementary and junior high school students is steadily expanding membership and solidifying its position in the digital education market. Through its capital alliance with Keyence, it maintains a stable financial constitution while actively investing in research and development and the education sector. From a sustainability perspective, it undertakes initiatives to reduce environmental impact and local learning support activities, and its medium- to long-term growth strategy advances the expansion of products and services utilizing AI technology. Moving forward, it aims for further growth in the educational ICT field while addressing needs in both B2B and B2C markets. It is also tackling challenges such as intensifying competition in the correspondence education industry and declining word processor usage in government offices.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Company started by founder couple from their family home in Tokushima.
  • Japanese input software ATOK is renowned for its high conversion accuracy.
  • Successfully entered correspondence education market with unique tablet curriculum.
  • Keyence is the largest shareholder providing management support.
  • Name of word processor Ichitaro originates from a student during the founder's school days.
  • Once developed proprietary window system JustWindow.
  • Focused on research in Japanese processing technology, leading industry standards.
  • Educational correspondence material Smile Zemi is popular nationwide.
  • Maintains head office functions in Tokushima while shifting headquarters functions to Tokyo.
  • PDF editing software relies on external OEM for some functions.

Hidden Connections

  • Achieved technology development and management stability through Keyence investment.
  • Industry connection with MetaMoJi founded by former executives after resignation.
  • Competes with Benesse and Gakken in correspondence education but also forms joint market.
  • Decline in government word processor market share impacts performance.
  • ATOK has greatly contributed to standardization of Japanese input market.
  • Once entered and withdrew from security software market.
  • Deep collaboration with local governments and school corporations for educational ICT products.
  • Competes with domestic package software firms while maintaining proprietary technology.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Ongoing expansion of digital education market.
  • Enhancement of educational content utilizing AI technology.
  • Stable demand for corporate Japanese processing software.
  • Increased demand for related products from smart device user growth.
  • Tailwinds from government digitalization promotion policies.
  • New service development in correspondence education field.
  • Customer base expansion through diverse sales channel construction.
  • Technology advancement via strengthened collaboration with Keyence.
  • Brand image improvement through enhanced regional education support.
  • Business foundation preparation for global market entry.

Strategic Goals

  • Capture 30% market share with AI-equipped learning services.
  • Surpass 500,000 correspondence education members.
  • Achieve over ¥20 billion in B2B software sales.
  • Reduce in-house CO2 emissions by 40% through green IT promotion.
  • Strengthen deployment of Japanese processing technology for emerging markets.
  • Achieve 100% company-wide cloud service compatibility.
  • Implement over 50 educational collaborations with local communities.
  • Enter top 10% in employee work-friendliness rankings.
  • Advance scientific verification of learning effectiveness with digital materials.
  • Build global sales network to exceed 10% overseas sales.

Business Segments

Corporate Office Software

Overview
Provides highly reliable office software for companies and public institutions.
Competitiveness
Product lineup optimized for Japanese document creation
Customers
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • Large corporations
  • Educational institutions
  • Government offices
  • Local governments
Products
  • JUST Office
  • JUST Calc
  • JUST Note
  • Document management system

Educational ICT Solutions

Overview
Deploys ICT support services for educational sites.
Competitiveness
Strong know-how and brand in correspondence education
Customers
  • School corporations
  • Cram schools
  • Correspondence education companies
  • Local government boards of education
Products
  • Smile Zemi
  • Learning support apps
  • Educational tablet devices

Japanese Input Technology Provision

Overview
OEM and licensing provision of high-precision Japanese input technology.
Competitiveness
Proven track record in Japanese processing technology
Customers
  • Software development companies
  • Mobile device manufacturers
  • IT solution companies
Products
  • ATOK SDK
  • Japanese conversion engine

Cloud and Search Systems

Overview
Provides document search and management systems to support business efficiency.
Competitiveness
Search technology specialized for Japanese
Customers
  • Corporations
  • Government offices
  • Universities
  • Research institutions
Products
  • Enterprise search system
  • Document management solutions

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • High expertise in Japanese language processing technology
  • Stable customer base in educational ICT
  • Stable finances from capital tie-up with Keyence
  • Broad software product lineup
  • Strong brand in correspondence education market
  • Long-standing recognition and trust in the Japanese market
  • High customizability of corporate products
  • Diverse sales channels and customer touchpoints
  • Stable profit margins and capital efficiency

Competitive Advantages

  • ATOK Japanese conversion technology boasts top-class accuracy in the industry
  • Smile Zemi holds strong competitiveness in the correspondence education tablet market
  • Stable growth base from Keyence's technical and management support
  • Addresses needs of educational institutions and government offices with corporate JUST Office
  • Meets diverse customer needs with rich brands and product lineup
  • Accumulated know-how in Japanese software development over many years
  • Foothold for global expansion utilizing subsidiaries
  • Maintains uniqueness through fusion of IT technology and educational know-how
  • Expands user base with support for diverse platforms

Threats

  • Market shrinkage due to preference for Microsoft Word in government offices
  • Intense competition with rivals in correspondence education market
  • Risk of declining competitiveness from delays in adapting to new technologies
  • Rapid technological changes in smart device market
  • Penetration of low-priced software from overseas
  • Market contraction trend due to younger generation moving away from PCs
  • Increasing cyber security risks
  • Fluctuations in education-related budgets due to economic conditions
  • Maturation and growth slowdown in existing core businesses

Innovations

2024: Enhancement of AI-Equipped Correspondence Education System

Overview
Introduced AI-utilizing learning comprehension analysis function to Smile Zemi.
Impact
Achieved improved learning outcomes and increased customer satisfaction.

2023: Advanced ATOK Japanese Input Functions

Overview
Introduced AI technology to improve conversion accuracy and user convenience.
Impact
Gained high evaluations from user feedback.

2022: UX Improvements for Educational Tablet Devices

Overview
Implemented redesign of UI/UX to enhance learning efficiency.
Impact
Contributed to increased users and reduced churn rate.

2021: Strengthening of Cloud-Based Enterprise Search System

Overview
Enhanced high-speed search technology and multi-language support for corporate customers.
Impact
Contributed to expansion of corporate customer base.

Sustainability

  • Promoting paperless to reduce environmental impact
  • Collaboration with local governments for educational support
  • Advancing work-style reforms for employees
  • Strengthening information security management system
  • Participation in local ICT education support activities