L is B
Japanese IT company developing the business chat platform 'direct' and other workplace DX solutions.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
L is B Co., Ltd. (株式会社L is B, pronounced 'Eru Izu Bī') is a Japanese information technology company headquartered in Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Founded on September 29, 2010 in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, the company develops and operates cloud services, smartphone/tablet/PC applications, web systems, and design development (UI/UX, illustration, etc.), with a corporate philosophy of 'making people smile with ideas and technology.' Its best-known product is the business chat platform 'direct,' a domestically developed enterprise messaging tool adopted by major Japanese construction firms, broadcasters, and infrastructure companies. The company also offers chatbot solutions such as 'AI-FAQ Bot' and 'direct bot RENTAL,' as well as the work-style reform solution 'direct Smart Working Solution (SWS).' L is B listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in March 2024. As of the end of March 2026, the group had 189 employees and capital of 638,727,196 yen. The company operates from its Tokyo headquarters plus a Kansai branch in Osaka, a Kyushu branch in Fukuoka, and a Tokushima Lab. Its group companies include System M's Co., Ltd., directX Ventures Co., Ltd., and IU BIM STUDIO Co., Ltd. Major clients include Azwan, Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ), NTT Data, NTT Docomo Business, NTT East, QTnet, KDDI, Daiwabo Information System, Takenaka Corporation, Change, West Japan Railway Company, and Hokuden Information Technology.
History
L is B Co., Ltd. was established on September 29, 2010 in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. In April 2011, the company developed the emotion analysis engine 'Social Emotion Engine' and released the Twitter app 'Feel on!' equipped with the engine. That same year, 'Feel on!' won third place at IVS 2011 Spring Launch Pad hosted by Infinity Venture Partners, received the Grand Prize at SF New Tech Japan Night, and was adopted for au Smart Pass in November. In June 2012, the English version of 'Feel on!' was released at Echelon2012, and in December the company won the Singapore Telecom Asia Top 50 award. In January 2013, it won the goo presents Challengers 2013 Winter award hosted by NTT Resonant, and launched the emotion analysis engine-applied chat service 'BANCHA.' In November 2013, the business chat system 'direct' was announced. In May 2014, the headquarters moved from Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo to Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. In October 2014, 'direct 1.0' was officially released, and in December the chatbot development environment 'daab SDK' was made public. In April 2015, the company formed a capital and business alliance with IIJ for the corporate messenger service business. In October 2015, the optional service 'Guest Mode' for safely connecting with customers and partner companies began, and the 'daab Solution Certified Partner Program' started. In March 2016, the 'direct Enterprise Edition' was offered. In October 2016, the work-style reform support solution 'direct Smart Working Solution' was launched. In December 2016, 'direct' obtained ISMS certification (ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27017). In January 2017, the business chatbot rental service 'direct bot RENTAL' began. In April 2018, the number of companies adopting 'direct' surpassed 1,000. In May 2018, the 'JR West Lost Item Chat' for automatically accepting lost items via chatbot was launched. In July 2018, the FAQ solution 'AI-FAQ Bot' that evolves according to user thinking was launched. In May 2019, the headquarters moved to Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku. In June 2019, the company formed capital and business alliances with AS ONE Corporation and QTnet Corporation, and launched 'direct Signage,' which allows instant creation and information sharing via chatbot. In October 2019, the Kyushu Branch was opened in Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City. In February 2020, the number of companies adopting 'direct' surpassed 2,000. In April 2020, approximately 10,000 masks were donated to medical and care facilities nationwide. In July 2020, the media site 'SmartWork.jp' themed on field work-style reform was launched. In September 2020, the company celebrated its 10th anniversary, added a call function to 'direct,' and began offering the dedicated chatbot 'Translation Bot' for free. In March 2024, the company listed its shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market.
Established in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Developed 'Social Emotion Engine' and released Twitter app 'Feel on!'
'Feel on!' won 3rd place at IVS 2011 Spring Launch Pad
'Feel on!' won Grand Prize at SF New Tech Japan Night
'Feel on!' adopted for au Smart Pass
Released English version of 'Feel on!' at Echelon2012
Won Singapore Telecom Asia Top 50 award
Won goo presents Challengers 2013 Winter; launched 'BANCHA' chat service
Announced business chat system 'direct'
Headquarters moved to Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Products and positioning
Enterprise DX and workplace communication solutions, with a focus on construction and field-work digital transformation.
direct
Business chat platform developed in Japan, multi-device compatible (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac). Adopted by Obayashi, Takenaka, Nishimatsu Construction, TV Asahi, and others.
AI-FAQ Bot
Self-learning chatbot FAQ solution for help desks and general affairs.
direct Smart Working Solution (SWS)
Long working hours correction solution that locks PCs at preset times.
direct bot RENTAL
Business chatbot rental service.
daab SDK
Chatbot development environment.
direct Signage
Chatbot-based instant creation and information sharing signage.
Translation Bot
Dedicated chatbot for 'direct' providing free translation.
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