Japan’s Cybozu Inc. Designates Southeast Asia as Global Investment & Growth Engine for 2026

• Cybozu earmarks US$6.4m (RM25m) for Malaysia expansion following 106.4%operating profit surge to drive National SME digitalization
• Kintone launches a localized CRM Suite and native malay-language support feature with aims to drive higher-value SME engagement

Kuala Lumpur, 25 March 2026 – Cybozu Inc., (TSE: 4776), the parent company of Kintone, a provider of cloud-based workplace solutions, has formally designated Southeast Asia as its most promising region for global investment. This strategic commitment places Malaysia, its Southeast Asia headquarters, at the center of the Group’s regional expansion, with plans to accelerate digital transformation for the SME sector across the territory.

"If asked to identify the most promising region for global investment today, Southeast Asia is the clear choice," stated Yoshihisa Aono, CEO of Cybozu Inc. "Beyond mature hubs like Singapore, we see the highest potential for returns in Malaysia and Thailand, where the appetite for digital transformation is strong while our resources are in a high-return environment that allows for scalable growth."

As part of its intensified focus, Cybozu is injecting an initial US$6.4 million (RM25 million) into its Malaysia operations. The decision follows a milestone year for the Group, which recorded consolidated sales of US$240.06 million (RM932.6 million) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, supported by a 33.9% year-on-year surge in its flagship Kintone platform.

Building on this global momentum, Cybozu aims to champion Malaysia’s digital potential in alignment with The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). As Malaysia’s digital economy is projected to reach between US$45 billion and US$70 billion by 2030, Cybozu’s investment serves as a critical engine for this national growth.

This decision is further validated by Cybozu’s strong start to the year, where January 2026 consolidated sales reached US$21.6 million (RM83.8 million), a 17.0% year-on-year increase, reflecting the strong commercial viability and recurring revenue potential of the Group’s cloud-centric expansion.

Southeast Asia currently stands as the Group’s fastest-growing market, recording a 13.4% year-on-year increase in subscribing companies. This contrasts sharply with mature software markets, where high saturation and competitive entry costs have slowed customer acquisition, resulting in unchanged year-on-year growth.

Key to its regional success, Cybozu’s flagship platform, Kintone, surpassed US$138.72 million (RM539 million), up 33.9% year on year. Growth is particularly evident in hyper-local markets such as Malaysia and Thailand, where the latter achieved 300% year-on-year growth in 2025 compared to 2024 in its customer base. Kintone has already demonstrated momentum through partnerships with organizations such as the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).

Strategic Expansion into Customer Excellence in the AI Era

As part of its intensified commitment to the region, Cybozu is investing an initial US$6.4 million into its Malaysian headquarters for wider Southeast Asian growth. This capital allows the Group to align its expansion with national digital goals such as The 13th Malaysia Plan by providing the infrastructure necessary for local businesses to realize tangible value from digital transformation.

Building on the momentum of the previous initiatives with Kintone AI Lab and its strategic partnership with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Kintone is evolving its Malaysian strategy to champion a new standard of customer excellence.

While AI increasingly handles the mechanics of routine workflow management, Cybozu is doubling down on an area that technology cannot replicate - human relationships. This shift ensures that digital tools serve to deepen interpersonal connections and nurture professional trust. The cornerstone of this expansion is the launch of Kintone’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Suite, a structured program that absorbs administrative burdens. This marks a definitive move toward this relationship-first philosophy that empowers Malaysian SMEs to become stewards of customer success. This transition enables them to reclaim their time to focus on the high-value human engagement that drives global competitiveness.

"This investment is a testament to our unwavering belief in Malaysia’s potential as a regional digital powerhouse. For too long, the 'technostress' of fragmented systems has drained the energy of the local workforce," added Tsubasa Nakazawa, Managing Director of Kintone Southeast Asia. "We aim to empower Malaysian SMEs to shift their focus from managing information to nurturing the human connections that define long-term success and drive global competitiveness".

To further support local adoption, Kintone will introduce a Malay language support feature for all Kintone platforms, alongside its newest CRM Suite launch in February 2026. The localisation initiative is aimed at improving accessibility and driving higher-value SME engagement across diverse sectors, including traditional industries transitioning toward digital workflows.

The enhanced language features will be available to all Malaysian businesses beginning 8 March 2026. For more information on the latest Malaysian initiatives and to explore the new features, please visit https://www.kintone.com/en-sea/lp/my/goodbye-hello/en/ or the general regional site at https://www.kintone.com/en-sea/.

About Cybozu Inc.

Established in 1997, Cybozu is one of Japan's leading groupware providers. Dedicated to fostering a society brimming with teamwork, they have designed software solutions that emphasise collaboration and efficiency. Their flagship product, the cloud-based platform Kintone, has become integral to many global businesses since its launch in 2011. Cybozu champions teamwork, a great work environment, and community support. For more information, please visit https://cybozu-global.com.

About Kintone

Kintone, developed by Japan's leading groupware provider Cybozu, is a customizable digital workplace platform designed to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes. Trusted by over 42,000 companies globally, including more than 46% of Prime market companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE).

With more than 3 million applications powered by Kintone, the company allows users to easily build, deploy and update their custom applications, all without requiring prior coding experience. With its versatility, Kintone supports a wide range of industries, boosting productivity at a fraction of the cost and without the need for large development teams.

Recognized as an award-winning platform, Kintone is often awarded accolades from leading software recommendation engines. Kintone streamlines processes, automates tasks, and fosters collaboration across teams. Kintone’s presence extends across the Asia-Pacific region. Beyond Japan, we operate in Malaysia and Thailand, with consulting and product partners providing onboarding and customization services across Asia.

For more information, please visit https://www.kintone.com/en-sea.

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