In many companies, AI strategy used to belong mainly to engineers. But two Japanese tech companies are showing a new idea: the people leader may also be the AI leader. On June 1, 2026, Mercari named Shunya Kimura, already its CTO and a leader of its AI Task Force, as CHRO and CAIO. The company says it wants to redesign workstyles, decision-making, approval flows, organization structure, and resource allocation with AI in mind. (careers.mercari.com)
Mercari’s move is not only about titles. The company says it has already reached a point where 100% of employees use AI tools. In May 2026, it also started “AI Agent Day,” a company-wide program for around 1,000 non-engineer employees. The goal is to help workers learn AI tools and then use them in real daily work. Mercari believes AI will create real value only when hiring, training, evaluation, and team design also change. (careers.mercari.com)
Sansan made a similar change on the same day. It created a new role called CAXO, Chief AI Transformation Officer, and gave the job to its CHRO, Yuta Oma. Sansan says AI should do more than save time for individual workers. Its mission is to build an AI-based culture across the company and create new business growth. According to the company, 99% of employees, including non-engineers, already use generative AI, and in 2026 it launched an AI Enablement Office under the CHRO to push company-wide use of AI. (jp.corp-sansan.com)
These moves suggest an important lesson. In the AI age, success may depend not only on better technology, but also on better organization. HR leaders understand hiring, learning, culture, and motivation. Those “human systems” decide whether AI becomes a true business transformation or just another tool. Mercari and Sansan seem to believe that the future of AI is also the future of people management. That idea could shape the next stage of Japanese business. (jp.corp-sansan.com)










