Japan's Dentsu to shed 30% of overseas units as AI upends playing field

CompaniesAd group faces competition from consulting and tech firms including Accenture, GoogleDentsu swung to a profit in January-June after a loss in the period last year, and is working on business and structural reforms aimed at restoring profitability. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)RYOSUKE MATSUIAugust 15, 2026 06:53 JSTTOKYO -- Japanese advertising agency Dentsu Group on Friday announced that by fiscal 2028 it will reduce the number of its overseas subsidiaries by up to 30% as it scrambles to restructure its grab bag of businesses outside Japan and take on rivals armed with artificial intelligence.