Top 5 Team Chat Apps Used in Japan

In recent years, many Japanese companies have adopted team chat applications into their systems. These messaging apps are a tool for real-time communication over a network, featuring many functions specifically tailored for business use. This allows organizational members to efficiently exchange information even if they are geographically distant, playing a crucial role in the modern business environment where remote work and multi-site operations are becoming more common. This article introduces the top five business chat tools particularly utilized in Japan, considering their popularity and user satisfaction. By understanding the features and functions of each tool, we hope to assist you in selecting the most suitable business chat tool for your company.

Team Chat Apps Ranked

1. Slack
2. Microsoft Teams
3. Chatwork
4. LINE WORKS
5. IP Messenger

1. Slack

Image Source: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/slack/id618783545 

Slack allows users to set up channels for projects or topics, facilitating efficient communication. This platform prevents the fragmentation of information that can occur through emails, phone calls, and meetings by consolidating necessary members, information, and tools in one place. This enables flexible working styles that are not bound by time or location, helping to create a digital workplace environment. Slack offers various pricing plans, from a free plan for small teams to pro plans for small and medium-sized enterprises, business plus plans for large companies, and enterprise grid plans for companies with strict regulations or complex organizational structures. This makes it a powerful tool that seamlessly connects people and systems to enhance productivity. Many companies across various industries have adopted Slack to improve productivity.

2. Microsoft Teams

Image Source: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/microsoft-teams/id1113153706 

Microsoft Teams is a comprehensive business communication tool used by 300 million people worldwide every month. This app includes features such as web conferencing, chat, webinars, file sharing, and calling capabilities to landlines and mobile phones. Its reliability and popularity are evident as 94% of Japan's Nikkei 225 companies have adopted it. Teams provides various communication methods such as one-on-one chats, group chats, voice calls, and video conferences to support smooth communication within teams. Additionally, Teams integrates smoothly with Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint, making collaborative editing of files easy. This functionality enables efficient work regardless of location.

3. Chatwork

Image Source: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/chatwork/id463672966 

Chatwork is a chat tool designed to facilitate communication in business settings. It employs a simple and intuitive design that makes it easy for even those unfamiliar with chat applications to operate it easily. Notably, its feature that allows users to set responsible persons and deadlines for task management is extremely helpful in preventing oversight of tasks. Chatwork offers group chats and task management functions as alternatives to emails, phone calls, and meetings involving multiple participants. It also supports video calls and voice calls widely used by companies requiring close communication both internally and externally. It has been favored in fields such as finance, telecommunications, metals, healthcare, and nursing care to support various businesses' operational efficiency and growth.

4. LINE WORKS

Image Source: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/line-works 

Line Works is a communication tool specialized for business use that offers diverse groupware features including chat functions with stickers, bulletin boards, calendars, address books, surveys etc. Built on the user-friendliness of the messaging app LINE, this tool can be easily adopted from day one of implementation since anyone can start using it right away. Line Works allows most functions to be utilized not only on PCs and tablets but also on smartphones; therefore its usage is prevalent not only within offices but also at branches or stores. Particularly when there is little time spent using PCs on-site, efficient communication can still be achieved through smartphones.

5. IP Messenger

Image Source: https://x.com/ashishmohta/status/ 

Unlike typical messaging apps that require connection to external servers, IP Messenger allows direct communication between devices within the same LAN via IP addresses without needing an internet connection at all times. This means it can be used even when the network is not connected to the internet. The tool features convenient functionalities such as file sending capabilities, message read notifications, absence notifications, and simultaneous sending to multiple recipients. It also includes fast log search capabilities allowing quick access to past communications. Moreover, it is designed with security considerations in mind making it suitable for environments where external connections are blocked or VPN usage is necessary.

Conclusion

The adoption of business chat tools has become essential for Japanese companies today. These tools enable real-time information exchange among geographically distant members while contributing to promoting remote work and multi-site operations. The top 5 popular business chat tools introduced here each possess unique strengths and features capable of significantly enhancing corporate communication efficiency.

Referring to this ranking and understanding the functions and characteristics of each tool will help you choose the most suitable one for your company. Appropriate tools will improve internal information-sharing speed and decision-making processes, enhancing operational efficiency.