Design One Japan

Basic Information

Stock Code
6048
Industry
Service Industry
Category Detail
Internet Site Operations
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
September 2005
Listing Year
April 2015
Official Website
https://www.designone.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
LIFULL, ITmedia, Cookpad, Kakaku.com, M3, Japan Best Rescue System, Banners, Ateam Holdings, CrowdWorks, MarkLines, Sharing Technology, Nichi Enter, GMO TECH, Bengoshi.com, Will Group, Japan Post, Kamakura Shinsho

Overview

Design One Japan is an internet service company established in 2005, centering on the operation of the store review site 'Ekiten' and developing multifaceted DX businesses as a growing enterprise.

Current Situation

Design One Japan recorded consolidated sales of approximately 2.25 billion yen and operating profit of approximately 120 million yen for the fiscal year ending August 2022, maintaining stable growth. Its mainstay review site 'Ekiten' has a base of free listings from about 289,443 stores, with around 18,176 paid stores, generating revenue through a freemium model with monthly fees. In addition to the internet media business, it is diversifying its business base by offering BtoB services such as IT offshore development utilizing its Vietnamese subsidiary and job transfer support for night workers called 'Hirujob'. Recently, it is exploring new growth opportunities ahead of a management integration plan with GMO TECH scheduled for October 2025. While sustainability is not explicitly stated, it is focusing on diversified businesses and strengthening internal governance. In the future, it plans to strengthen DX solutions, expand services, and grow its customer base both domestically and internationally, aiming for sustainable growth while differentiating itself in the intensely competitive digital market.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Review site 'Ekiten' service started in 2007.
  • Free listed stores number about 289,000, large-scale in the industry.
  • Focuses on job transfer support from night to day jobs through subsidiaries.
  • One of the few TSE-listed companies with IT development base in Vietnam.
  • Scheduled for management integration with GMO TECH in 2025, drawing attention.
  • Uniquely provides online reservation functions linked with review postings.
  • Achieved TSE listing about 10 years after founding, fast-growing IT company.
  • Strength in store marketing support utilizing review information.
  • Office in Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo facilitates inter-department collaboration.
  • Succeeded in niche expansion of talent services during COVID.
  • Operates numerous information sites specialized in various industries.
  • Group management structure generating synergies among subsidiaries.
  • Ongoing focus on improving reliability of review postings and store ratings.
  • Ekiten born with concept of regional revitalization.
  • Advocates fusion model of IT and talent services.

Hidden Connections

  • Management integration with GMO TECH aims to strengthen competitiveness in digital advertising market.
  • Utilizes Vietnamese subsidiary to complement domestic and international IT talent shortages.
  • Night worker talent service has grown rapidly post-COVID, contributing to new market formation.
  • Review data has become a valuable information resource for marketing companies and ad agencies.
  • DX service collaboration among multiple subsidiaries is advancing, demonstrating synergies.
  • Prime location in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo contributes to attracting excellent talent.
  • Plans to expand reputation management support from review sites to other industries, creating new businesses.
  • Ekiten app features SNS integration, enhancing dissemination power.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Rapid expansion of DX solution demand
  • Increasing importance of review marketing
  • Technology improvement and cost reduction via offshore development
  • Growth in job transfer market from night to day work
  • Expansion of online customer attraction due to increasing smartphone users
  • Expansion and diversification of digital advertising market
  • Synergy effects from management integration with GMO TECH
  • Rising demand for regional consulting
  • Promotion of SaaS-type service adoption
  • Introduction of AI and data analysis technologies

Strategic Goals

  • Expand DX business sales ratio to over 50%
  • Establish position as domestic review market leader
  • Strengthen overall capabilities through integration with GMO TECH
  • Develop new customer segments and build diversified revenue base
  • Achieve over 1 million Ekiten app users
  • Expand overseas IT offshore development business
  • Expand social issue resolution-type services
  • Create sustainable work styles and workplace environments
  • Establish advanced data analysis and marketing technologies
  • Nationwide rollout of local-focused DX support

Business Segments

IT Offshore Development Business

Overview
Expands high-quality, low-cost development services provided by Vietnamese subsidiary to Japanese companies.
Competitiveness
Balance of high technical capabilities and cost competitiveness
Customers
  • Japanese companies
  • IT vendors
  • Startups
  • System integrators
  • Small and medium enterprises
Products
  • Software development
  • System maintenance
  • System consulting
  • Application development
  • Cloud service implementation support

Talent Referral and Job Transfer Support Business

Overview
Supports transitions from night jobs to day jobs for those with night work experience, matching them with recruiting companies.
Competitiveness
Strong network for night workers
Customers
  • Night workers
  • Staffing agencies
  • Recruiting companies
  • Service industry companies
  • Retail companies
Products
  • Hirujob job transfer support
  • Career counseling
  • Job information provision
  • Vocational referral service
  • Employment support

Internet Media Advertising Business

Overview
Provides effective advertising deployment and store customer attraction support through review sites.
Competitiveness
Customer attraction expertise linked with review data
Customers
  • Retail stores
  • Service stores
  • Advertising agencies
  • Marketing companies
  • Small and medium enterprises
Products
  • Ad placement
  • SEO support
  • Reservation system implementation
  • Review promotion service
  • Marketing analysis

DX Solution Provision Business

Overview
Supports corporate DX initiatives, realizing business reforms and improved customer satisfaction.
Competitiveness
Flexible solution provision adaptable to various industries
Customers
  • Mid-sized companies
  • Local governments
  • Educational institutions
  • Medical institutions
  • Manufacturing industry
Products
  • Business efficiency consulting
  • IT system implementation support
  • Data analysis service
  • Cloud service utilization
  • Customer experience improvement

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Abundance and reliability of store review information
  • Stable revenue base from freemium model
  • Diversified business expansion in BtoB and BtoC
  • Cost competitiveness from offshore development
  • Niche market capture in talent referral field
  • Convenient headquarters location in Tokyo
  • Broad business scope from extensive subsidiaries
  • Established review platform
  • Expected capital strengthening from management integration
  • Accumulated industry know-how over many years
  • Service provision to diverse customer segments
  • Ongoing strengthening of corporate DX solutions
  • Continuous app development and feature expansion
  • Review data analysis and utilization capabilities
  • Implementation of online reservation systems

Competitive Advantages

  • Strength in store customer attraction with high reliability of reviews and rankings
  • Balanced quality and cost in IT offshore development
  • Developed unique market with night worker job transfer support
  • Achieved diversified management through multiple subsidiaries
  • Expected strengthening in capital and technology from integration with GMO TECH
  • Number of listed stores on operated sites ranks high in the industry
  • Provides marketing support based on authentic customer voices from reviews
  • Comprehensive IT implementation support for client companies via DX business
  • Established position in internet services industry with long-term growth potential
  • Management team rich in IT and media industry experience
  • Active development of smartphone services
  • Highly scalable technology infrastructure
  • Comprehensive customer support system
  • Potential for big data utilization of review data
  • Combination of local-focused services and nationwide expansion

Threats

  • Intensifying market competition from strong competitors
  • Risk of strengthened regulations like Personal Information Protection Law
  • Difficulty in maintaining review credibility
  • Costs of responding to rapid IT technology changes
  • Intensifying price competition from new entrants
  • Decline in demand due to post-COVID business changes
  • Risk of ad budget cuts during economic downturns
  • Risk of declining development and service quality due to labor shortages
  • Uncertainty in realizing synergies from management integration
  • Risk of information leaks from cyber attacks
  • Decline in credibility if unable to meet DX investment expectations
  • Delays in responding to diversifying customer needs

Innovations

2020: Subsidiary Acquisition of Hirujob Co., Ltd.

Overview
Made the night worker day job transfer support service 'Hirujob' a subsidiary.
Impact
Successfully developed new market, with significant increase in job seekers post-COVID.

2021: Subsidiary Acquisition of DEECH and E-Networks Co., Ltd.

Overview
Acquired new subsidiary to strengthen DX solutions and expand IT services.
Impact
Broadened range of corporate services and expanded customer base.

2022: Subsidiary Acquisition of Okomari Co., Ltd.

Overview
Incorporated matching business for bereavement goods industry to diversify operations.
Impact
Entered new business area, contributing to revenue diversification.

2022: Ekiten App Feature Expansion

Overview
Improved smartphone app usability to promote review postings.
Impact
Contributed to expanded user base and increased review numbers.

2023: Launch of DX Promotion Consulting Service

Overview
Began DX support for SMEs to develop new field.
Impact
Increased IT implementation support for corporate customers, contributing to sales growth.

Sustainability

  • Promotion of paperless office IT environment
  • IT education support activities at local events
  • Strengthening workplace environment improvements
  • Promotion of female managers and diversity
  • Business development for social issue resolution through subsidiary collaboration