Translated from 日本語 • View original Happy New Year everyone!
Last year was also a really turbulent year. In the world, there is no end to conflict, inflation continues, and AI-driven transformation is approaching us at a speed beyond our imagination.
Looking back, 2025 was not a year of "completely new things" happening, but rather a year in which the evolution of AI, the heating of the global economy, and the continuation of conflicts that have continued over the past few years have accelerated at once.
I feel inflation firsthand in my daily life. When shopping at the supermarket, the price is 1.5 times higher than the previous feeling has become commonplace. Such a reality weighs heavily on our lives.
Changes in Japanese Society
From a manager's point of view, the way companies think about "human resources" has changed dramatically in the past two to three years.
Even traditional large companies are feeling a sense of crisis about the outflow of talent and are starting to seriously think about how to keep their employees connected. As a result, salary levels are rising rapidly in leading and large companies.
On the other hand, small companies have limited spare capacity, so wage increases are limited. The pay gap continues to widen across society.
As inflation progresses, the era is now approaching, while those who cannot increase their market value and those who do not belong to companies that actively raise their salaries will lose their real income.
Opportunities for young people and opportunities for seniors
Now is an era where there are great opportunities for both young and experienced people.
Younger people use AI to supplement their experience and achieve results more easily.
Seniors can create a greater impact by using AI to make a significant impact by using AI as a weapon of their previous management experience.
Of course, there are challenges.
Young people must increase their growth speed as the learning time is shortened.
Seniors must abandon the old ways and transform their work.
Our values -- "Stay Uncomfortable", "Move Fast" and "Keep Learning" -- are required more than ever.
Karakul in 2026
In 2025, we witnessed a moment when the evolution of AI began to dramatically change work.
At the all-staff meetings held twice a year, the theme I talked about was "how to advance AI transformation."
Our goal is, simply put, "3 times more productivity × 2 times salary".
In addition, we have launched a new AI Award this year to recognize colleagues who have used AI to transform their work.
In 2026, we will continue to move forward as we continue to increase our speed and continue to transform.
The best way to predict the future is to create it. By Peter Drucker
**The best way to predict the future is to create it. **
Karakul will open up the future of work with our own hands.