This document provides a summary of key findings from a CompTIA study on technology adoption and workforce issues in Japan: - Top IT priorities for Japanese businesses include IT security, data storage/backup, mobility initiatives, and network infrastructure. - Over half of Japanese executives believe the cybersecurity threat level has increased, with human error seen as a growing factor. - Nearly all Japanese businesses report some degree of IT skills gaps, negatively impacting areas like security and productivity. - Most IT staff in Japanese companies receive training, and certifications are generally valued but not always required. - The majority of Japanese businesses expect the importance of IT certifications to increase over the next two years.

1. International Technology Adoption &
Workforce Issues Study Summary for Japan

2. About this Research
CompTIA’s International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study was conducted to collect and share information on technology adoption and
workforce trends across several countries. The objectives of this research include:
• Explore business and information technology (IT) priorities among organizations
• Examine the usage of key technologies/solutions and IT services such as security and cloud computing
• Identify which IT skills are most important to employers and if there are any skills gap issues or staffing concerns
• Evaluate professional development practices such as training and certification
The data for this study was collected via a quantitative online survey conducted February 22 to March 23, 2013 among 1,256 IT and business executives
directly involved in setting or executing information technology policies and processes within their organizations. The 10 countries covered in this study
include:
Brazil (n=125); Canada (n=125); France (n=125); Germany (n=131); India (n=125); Japan (n=125); Mexico (n=125); Middle East Subset (Oman, Saudi
Arabia, United Arab Emirates) (n=125); Thailand (n=125); United Kingdom (n=125)
Surveys were localized and translated to allow respondents to participate in their native language. Additionally, precautions were taken to minimize
misinterpretations of questions. However, research has shown, cultural differences exist and can affect responses to certain question types, such as 5-
point satisfaction rating questions. Viewers of this report should keep that in mind when comparing results across countries.
The margin of sampling error at 95% confidence for aggregate results is +/- 2.8 percentage points. Sampling error is larger for subgroups of the data,
such as individual countries where it is +/- 8.9 percentage points. As with any survey, sampling error is only one source of possible error. While non-
sampling error cannot be accurately calculated, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of the survey design, collection and processing of the data
to minimize its influence. Note: because data collection occurred via an online survey, in countries where Internet penetration is lower among
businesses, the non-sampling error could be higher.
CompTIA is responsible for all content contained in this series. Any questions regarding the study should be directed to CompTIA Market Research staff
at research@comptia.org.
CompTIA is a member of the Marketing Research Association (MRA) and adheres to the MRA’s Code of Market Research Ethics and Standards.

3. Key IT Priorities for Japanese Businesses:
1. IT security
2. Data storage/back-up
3. Mobility related initiatives
4. Network infrastructure
5. Data analytics/business intelligence /big data
Key Summary Points: Japan
Key Stats for Japan
$36,200 GDP per capita (PPP) | world rank: 36th
1.58% GDP growth forecast for 2013
34%
% of Japanese executives expecting 2013 business
conditions to be better than 2012
65.27m Total workforce
70% % of workforce employed in the services sector
1.43m Estimate of IT workforce* in core IT occupations
15%
% of Japanese executives expecting to increase IT
staff headcount at their business in 2013
99.182m Internet users | world rank: 3rd
132.76m Mobile phone users | world rank: 7th
46%
NET % of Japanese executives indicating IT is
important to the success of their business
1.8% Planned increase in IT spending in 2013 (YOY)
Key Strategic Priorities for Japanese Businesses:
1. Reduce costs/overhead
2. Improve staff productivity/capabilities
3. Reach new customers
Cybersecurity:
55% of Japanese executives believe the cybersecurity threat level is
increasing. Additionally, 34% of Japanese executives believe human
error is a growing factor in security security incidents: Top human error
related factors include:
1. Intentional disabling of security
2. Lack of security expertise with networks, servers etc.
IT Skills Gaps:
95% of Japanese executives indicate at least some degree of gaps in IT
skills at their business exists. For 18%, the reported skills gaps are
small, while for 77% the gaps are more extensive. Top negative effects
of IT skills gaps at Japanese businesses:
1. Security / defending against malware, hacking, etc.
2. Lower staff productivity
IT Training and Certification:
72% of IT staff at Japanese businesses engaged in some type of IT
training during the past 12 months.
1. 58% of Japanese executives believe IT certifications will increase in
importance over the next two years; 37% believe IT certifications’
importance will remain constant
2. 48% of Japanese executives believe it’s important to test after
training to confirm knowledge gains
Sources used for above stats: CompTIA, IMF, CIA World Factbook, IDC
*See appendix for definition of core IT occupations

4. Detailed Findings: Business
and Technology Issues

5. Strategic Priorities Include Tech Component
Base: 1,244 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
20%
76%
41%
46%
Overall
Japan
Top Strategic Priorities Among
Japanese Businesses for 2013
NET
Unimportant
NET
Important
Neutral
1. Reduce costs/overhead
2. Improve staff productivity/capabilities
3. Reach new customers
4. Innovate more effectively
5. Leverage technology to improve business
operations
34% of Japanese executives in this CompTIA
survey say business conditions are improving
and expect 2013 to be better than 2012.
52% expect to increase their expenditure on
IT products and services over the next 12
months.
Importance of Technology to Japanese
Business Success

6. Most Businesses Seek to Improve Their Use of IT
7%
25%
37%
29%
2%
Not at all close
Not that close
Moderately close
Very close
Exactly where
want to be
Degree to Which Japanese
Businesses are “Where They Want
to Be” in Technology Utilization
1. IT security
1. Data storage/back-up
2. Mobility related initiatives
1. Network infrastructure
1. Data analytics/big data/business
intelligence
2. Virtualization
3. Cloud computing
1. Updating aging computers/software
2. Web/online presence/e-commerce
Top Technology Priorities Over Next 12
Months for Japanese Businesses
Base: 125 Japanese business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

7. Nearly Half of Japanese Businesses have Adopted
Cloud Computing to Some Degree
22% 21%
39%
17%
31%
23%
44%
2%
Overall
Japan
Key Hurdles to Cloud Adoption
for Japanese Businesses
Cloud Computing Adoption Stage
Full use
stage
Experi-
mentation
stage
Evalu-
ation or
Investi-
gation
stage
Basic
aware-
ness
stage
42% Security or data loss concerns
30% Challenges in developing staff expertise/
experience with cloud applications/solutions
26% Insufficient/unclear ROI
26% Cloud services still unproven/untested
18% Slow/unreliable internet access
14% Difficulty in integrating or migrating legacy
applications to the cloud
14% Lack of local cloud service providers
11% Unclear/costly government regulation
related to using the cloud
Base: 1,252 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

8. Cybersecurity Risks a Growing Concern
1%
2%
27%
44%
26%
1%
2%
41%
48%
Decreasing
significantly
Decreasing
moderately
No change
Increasing
moderately
Increasing
significantly
Japan
Overall
Overall, 55% of Japanese Businesses
Believe the Security Threat Level
has Increased during Past Two Years
1 Continued use of legacy operating systems, web
browsers, etc.
2 Rise of social networking
1 Sophistication of security threats exceeding IT
staff's expertise to thwart them
2 Volume of security threats exceeding capacity
to thwart them
1 More reliance on Internet-based
applications, i.e. cloud computing, software-as-
a-service
2 Challenges in finding or training employees with
security expertise
Top Factors Cited by Japanese
Businesses for Increasing Security Risks
Base: 1,256 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
7%

9. Human Error an Increasing Security Risk Factor for
about a Third of Japanese Firms
66%
34%
NET increase in human
error as a security risk
factor
NET no change or
decrease in human
error as a security
factor
Top Drivers of Human Error as an
Rising Security Risk Factor
Assessment of Human Error as
a Security Risk Factor
1. Intentional disabling of security to allow for use
of a non-approved application, to download a
file, access a website, etc.
1. Lack of security expertise with
networks, servers and other infrastructure
1. Failure of IT staff to follow security procedures
and policies
1. General negligence / carelessness towards
security
1. Inadequate resources - not enough IT staff time
to manage security threats
2. Increased use of social media by staff
Base: 125 Japanese business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

10. Detailed Findings: IT Training
and Certification Issues

11. 4 out of 5 Japanese Businesses Intend to Keep the Status Quo
with Regard to Hiring IT Staff in 2013; Most Expect Challenges
in Finding Workers
5%
56%
39%
6%
79%
15%
Decrease in IT staff No… Increase in IT staff
Overall
Japan
49%
51%
NET concerned*
about IT labor
quantity or quality
NET not that
concerned about
IT labor quantity
or quality
Concern Over Ability to Hire IT Staff2013 Hiring Intent for IT Staff
Base: 1,252 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

12. Many Businesses Seek Improvement
on the IT Skills Front
5%
25%
47%
18%
5%
Not at all close
Not that close
Moderately close
Very close
Exactly where
want to be
Assessment of how Close
Japanese Businesses are to
Where They Want to be with the
IT Skills of Their IT Staff 30% Security / defending against
malware, hacking, etc.
29% Staff productivity
22% Lower sales/profitability
22% Speed to market with new
products or services
21% Poor customer service/customer
engagement
Top Negative Impacts of IT Skills Gaps
Base: 125 Japanese business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

13. IT Skills Rating Among Japanese Businesses
1. Motivation and initiative
2. Strong work ethic
3. Teamwork
4. Verbal and written communication skills
5. Flexibility and adaptability
6. Project management
7. Customer service
8. Analytical skills
9. Innovation / Creative problem solving
Top Rated “Soft” IT Skills
1. Networks / Infrastructure
2. Database / Information management
3. Server / data center management
4. Security / Cybersecurity
5. Data analytics/Business intelligence
6. Help Desk / IT support
7. Printers, copiers, multifunction devices
8. Storage/data back-up
9. Customer relationship management (CRM)
10. Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
11. Mobile phones/smartphones
Top Rated IT Skills in Terms of
the Importance of Maintaining a
High Skill Level Among IT staff
Keep in mind, many emerging technologies, such as cloud or mobility, are important to businesses, but it may not yet be the highest
priority to ensure a high level of IT staff expertise. As businesses move along the adoption curve and engage in more advanced uses of
cloud and mobility, staff expertise in those areas increases. Additionally, in some areas such as security, businesses may rely on outside
experts for guidance, so building internal skills could be a lower priority.
Base: 125 Japanese business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

14. Types of Training/Education Utilized
by IT Staff in Past 12 Months
11%
8%
30%
24%
40%
23%
38%
45%
28%
7%
18%
16%
29%
10%
28%
25%
No training or education
Some other type of training
Webinars / Online presentation
from an instructor or expert
Reading industry news, technical journals, etc.
E-learning / Online self-directed training
Additional college coursework
Attending industry conferences, workshops, etc.
Training course with an instructor /
Classroom instruction
Japan
Overall
Base: 1,256 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

15. Policy Towards the Use of IT Certifications
21%
37%
34%
35%
37%
18%
No formal or informal position
towards the use of IT certifications
Informal – not required,
but valued and encouraged
Formal – IT certifications
required for certain IT staff
Japan
Overall
Base: 1,241 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

16. Majority of Japanese Businesses Expect IT
Certifications to Increase in Importance
Significant
Increase in
Importance
Increase in
Importance
NET
Decrease
NET
Increase in
Importance
No
Change
48% “It’s important to test after training to
confirm knowledge gains”
46% “Staff with IT certifications have proven
expertise”
45% “Staff holding IT certifications are more
valuable to the organization”
41% “Teams of staff with IT certifications benefit
from having a common foundation of
knowledge”
NET Agreement (agree +
strongly agree) to Statements
Expectations for Change in
Importance of IT Certifications
Over Next Two Years
Base: 125 Japanese business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
37%
52%
6%

17. Perceptions of Certification
26%
30%
22%
22%
24%
23%
21%
40%
34%
37%
34%
28%
29%
30%
31%
32%
38%
41%
45%
46%
48%
Retention is higher among staff with IT
certifications than non-certified staff
The organization is more secure from malware
and hackers due to staff with IT certifications
Staff with IT certifications perform at a
higher level than non-certified staff
Teams of staff with IT certifications benefit from
having a common foundation of knowledge
Staff holding IT certifications are
more valuable to the organization
Staff with IT certifications have proven expertise
It’s important to test after training
to confirm knowledge gains
NET Disagree Neutral NET Agree
Base: 125 Japanese business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

18. Appendix

19. Defining Core IT Occupations
• Computer Support Specialists
• Software Developers, Applications
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Software Developers, Systems Software
• Network and Computer Systems Administrators
• Computer Programmers
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Information Security Analysts, Web Dev., and Computer Network Architects
• Computer Occupations, All Other
• Database Administrators
• Computer Hardware Engineers
• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Computer Support Specialists
For the purposes of this study, core IT occupations include positions related to the list below. In this study, certain
telecommunications occupations were excluded, such as positions responsible for installing or maintaining cellular
towers. Additionally, this study excludes ‘knowledge worker’ type positions, such as technical writer, graphic
designer or business analyst.

20. comptia.org
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