While RPA (Robotic Process Automation) applications are starting to expand, the industry is seeing disappointing results and starting to reevaluate RPA’s actual ability to reduce costs. We need to take the actual potential of RPA technology into consideration to see more benefits such as enhancing employee value rather than cost reduction alone.

Japan’s Corporate Governance Code is now in the third year since its inception. In July 2017, NRI surveyed companies on how they are putting the Code into practice. The Code seeks to promote engagement between companies and institutional investors but such engagement may not be worthwhile for all companies at present.