The 30 Largest Japanese Companies

Known as the land of the rising sun, Japan is famous for its rich culture, state-of-the-art technology, and natural wonders.

In the field of technology and IT, Japan has always been regarded as a global leader.

Japan is home to several notable and wealthy companies – not just in Asia but in the world.

In fact, 53 Japanese companies are listed in Fortune Global 500, and 50 in Forbes 2000.

For measuring the wealth and success of a company, we looked into its latest revenue. In this article, we compiled the top 30 largest Japanese companies by revenue based on the list of Fortune Global 500.

The number one Japanese company with the largest revenue is none other than Toyota, a leading automotive company located in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan.

Here is the complete list of the 30 largest Japanese companies by revenue.

The Largest Japanese Companies

1. Toyota – $275,288 Million

Toyota is one of the most well-known automotive companies in the world and the largest company in Japan with $275,288 million in revenue.

It was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda and is based in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan.

Aside from automotive products, Toyota diversified its services to financing, education, leasing, robotics, and banking.

It is an international company that assembles cars in several countries, producing the most vehicles in China, the United States, Thailand, Canada, Turkey, France, Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia.

In Fortune 500 rankings, it placed 10th in the world, whereas in Forbes 2000 rankings, it ranked 11th.

Toyota currently produces 70 car models, including sedans, vans, and trucks, as well as 44 hybrid vehicles that have sold over 15 million units since 1997.

2. Honda – $137,332 Million

Founded in 1946 in Hamamatsu, Japan, Honda is the second-largest Japanese company with a revenue of $137,332 million.

It is headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, and has a total number of 215,638 employees as of 2018.

Honda is a multinational automotive conglomerate with products ranging from electric generators and water pumps to robotics and jets.

The company’s first hybrid electric car was produced in 1999 in the United States and the Honda T360 Kei car was produced in 1963.

3. Mitsubishi – $135,940 Million

Mitsubishi is a private conglomerate company founded in 1870 by Yatarō Iwasaki with $135,940 million in revenue.

Along with automobiles, the company also deals in telecom, finance, mining, electronics, oil, and food production.

The company is ranked 42nd in Fortune 500 rankings and 104th in Forbes 2000 rankings.

Mitsubishi currently consists of three major companies: Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi MUFG Bank, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

4. Japan Post Holdings – $109,915 Million

With a revenue of $109,915 million, Japan Post Holdings is the fourth-largest Japanese company and was established in 2007.

The company is a public conglomerate based in Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.

It has 245,472 employees and four subsidiaries: Japan Post, Japan Post Bank, Japan Post Insurance, and Toll Group.

Hence, the company markets mailing and courier services, banking, and insurance.

Owned by the Minister of Finance of Japan, it ranks 60th in the Fortune 500 rankings and 72nd in Forbes 2000.

5. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone – $109,448 Million

Founded in 1952 by the Japanese government, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) is a public Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) telecommunications company with $109,448 million in revenue.

It is the fifth-largest company in Japan and the fourth-largest telecommunications company in the world that engages in telephone, internet, and mobile phone services.

Its current regional subsidiaries are NTT East and NTT West, which began operating in 2002.

In addition, NTT’s other major subsidiaries created throughout the years are NTT Data in 1988, NTT Docomo in 1991, and NTT Communications in 1999.

Based on revenue, NTT places 62nd in Fortune 500 and 43rd in Forbes 2000. As of 2021, the company employs 303,350 people.

6. Itochu – $100,522 Million

A public KK general trading company, Itochu Corporation has $100,522 million in revenue and about 102,762 employees.

Formerly known as C. Itoh & Co., Ltd., it was established in 1858 by Cbubei Itoh.

Its main headquarters are in Kita-ku, Osaka, and Minato-ku, Tokyo with existing subsidiaries, namely Itochu Techno-Solutions and FamilyMart.

The corporation is subdivided into several industries including textile, metal, finance, and real estate.

Moreover, it is listed 72nd in Fortune 500 and 135th in Forbes 2000. It is also the most-preferred employer for job seekers since it is known to provide better pay and diverse job opportunities than other companies.

7. Nissan – $90,863 Million

Nissan Motor Corporation holds the seventh-largest revenue in Japan with $90,863 million.

It is a public KK automotive company established in 1933 and headquartered in Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan.

In addition to automobiles, the company also engages in luxury vehicles for Infiniti and motors for Nissan Marine, as well as commercial vehicles, electric vehicles, and trucks.

The top five countries with the most vehicle sales in 2018 are China, the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Today, Nissan has numerous manufacturing operations across the world including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam.

8. SoftBank Group – $87,440 Million

SoftBank Group Corporation is a public KK conglomerate with a revenue of $87,440 million owned by Masayoshi Son, Master Trust Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Japan Trustee, the Vanguard Group, Capital Group Companies, Citibank, and Baillie Gifford.

The company has existed since 1981 and now engages in several industries such as AI, robotics, the internet, e-commerce, and investment.

As of 2020, the company employs 80,909 people and diversified into several subsidiaries including SoftBank Corp., SoftBank Investment, Advisers, SB Creative, Alibaba Group, WeWork, Z Holdings, Coupang, Fortress Investment Group, and Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, among others.

It ranked 94th in Fortune 500 and 66th in Forbes 2000.

9. Hitachi – $80,639 Million

Founded in 1910 by Namihei Odaira, Hitachi is a public conglomerate located in Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

It first started manufacturing induction motors and eventually moved into other services and products including robotics, AI, power plants, auto parts, defense technology, semiconductors, and heavy equipment, to name a few.

With a revenue of $80,639 million, the company ranks 106th in Fortune 500 and 198th in Forbes 2000.

Some of its current subsidiaries are Hitachi Vantara, Hitachi Metals, Hitachi Rail, Hitachi Astemo, Hitachi High-tech, Hitachi Construction Machinery, and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy.

10. AEON – $78,930 Million

With $78,930 Million in revenue, AEON is the 10th largest Japanese company founded in 1758, one of the oldest companies in Japan, and the largest retail company in Asia.

It is currently owned by MTBJ Investment Trusts, JTSB Investment Trusts, Mizuho Bank, AEON Environmental Foundation, Okada family, and Norinchukin Bank.

More than half a million people are employed by the company in its shopping malls, convenience stores, and supermarkets.

AEON has several subsidiaries including AEON Retail, AEON Hokkaido, Sunday, AEON Kyushu, Maxvalu, and Ministop – one of the most well-known convenience stores in the world.

11. Sony – $75,972 Million

Sony is one of the most popular technology companies in the world that manufactures products for music, films, video games, computer hardware, electronics, and telecommunications.

With its $75,972 million revenue, it is the 11th largest Japanese company, 122nd in Fortune 500, and 58th in Forbes 2000.

It was founded in 1946 by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita and started as an electronics shop with just eight employees.

Today, the company has 109,700 employees and numerous subsidiaries and affiliates around the world, including Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Music Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Holdings Inc., and several foundations and educational institutions.

12. ENEOS Holdings – $75,897 Million

Formerly known as JXTG Holdings, Inc., ENEOS Holdings is a public KK company founded in 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.

It is a company that deals with the oil and gas industry, as well as the mining and metal industry, which produces fuel, petrochemical, and metal.

It ranks the 12th largest Japanese company with total revenue of $75,897 million. Moreover, it is ranked 123rd in the Fortune 500 and has 24,691 employees.

13. Nippon Life – $74,048 Million

Nippon Life is the largest insurance company in Japan and the 13th largest Japanese company by revenue with $74,048 million.

It is a private financial service company established in 1889 with a total of 92,122 employees.

Today, it is known as Nissay or Nihon Seimei.

The company offers several products such as life and health insurance.

14. Panasonic – $68,897 Million

Panasonic was founded in 1918 by Kōnosuke Matsushita in Osaka, Japan. It is one of the most well-known Japanese brands for electrical equipment and has a revenue of $68,897 million.

The company first started as a light socket manufacturer and soon produced a wide range of electrical products including bicycle lamps, vacuum tubes, electric irons, televisions, and speakers.

Today, the company focuses on AI, electrical equipment, entertainment, fans, home appliances, personal computers, batteries, software, and real estate.

15. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group – $67,135 Million

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is the 15th largest Japanese company with a revenue of $67,135 million.

Founded in 2005 by merger, it is the largest financial group in Japan headquartered in Yurakucho, Chiyoda, Tokyo.

The company is a public KK banking and financial services company with 168,400 employees and several subsidiaries including MUFG Bank, MUFG Union Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities, Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS, and Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance.

The banking and financial services it offers are personal, corporate, investment, investment management, wealth management, mortgage, and credit cards.

16. Dai-ichi Life – $65,434 Million

Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company is the 16th largest Japanese company and the third-largest insurance company in Japan by revenue with a revenue of $65,434 million.

It is a subsidiary insurance company of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. established in 1902 by Tsuneta Yano in Yurakucho, Chiyoda, Tokyo.

The company has 61,335 employees, 8,646,469 policyholders, $2,085 billion policies in force, and $227,524 million policy reserves.

Some of its known establishments are Dai-ichi Property and Casualty Insurance founded in 1997 and Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc in 1997.

17. Mitsui – $63,327 Million

Founded by Mitsui Takatoshi in 1876, Mitsui Group is a keiretsu company that produces food, beverage, and industrial products.

The group also engages in various industries including financing, real estate, shipping, retail, and many more.

Mitsui owns several companies that are included in the Nikkei 225, a stock market index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which includes Denka, Japan Steel Works, Mitsui Chemicals, Oki Paper Company, Sapporo Brewery, and Toshiba, among others.

The main companies comprising Mitsui Group are Mitsui & Co., Mitsui Fudosan, Mitsui Chemicals, Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, Toray Industries, and Sapporo Breweries.

18. Marubeni – $62,799 Million

Marubeni Corporation’s revenue is $62,799 million, making it the 18th largest Japanese company by revenue, 173rd in Forbes 500, and 442nd in Forbes 2000.

It is a public KK general trading company, or sōgō shōsha, established in 1949.

Its many businesses under the corporation are divided into Chemical & Forest Products Group, Energy & Metals Group, Food & Consumer Products Group, Power Projects & Plant Group, and Transportation & Industrial Machinery Group.

Today, the company has 39,126 employees and 120 offices in 66 countries around the world.

19. Toyota Tsusho – $61,570 Million

Toyota Tsusho Corporation is a public KK trading company founded in 1948 under the Toyota Group.

It is based in Nagoya and Tokyo and currently has 53,241 employees.

The company focuses on the automobile industry with Toyota Group companies, as well as agriculture, commercial, consumer, machinery, and industrial services.

Today, Toyota Tsusho Corporation has 900 major subsidiaries and affiliates and more than 150 offices worldwide.

20. Seven & I Holdings Co. – $60,952 Million

Seven & I Holdings Co. is a public KK retail company founded in 2005 from a merger and is headquartered in Nibancho, Chiyoda, Tokyo.

The company has convenience stores, department stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and financial services.

It currently has six subsidiaries: Ito-Yokado (general merchandise and department store), Sogo & Seibu (department stores), Seven Bank (bank), Speedway LLC (American convenience store and gas station), Barneys New York Japan (American luxury department store), and 7-Eleven (American convenience store).

In 2019 data, the company has $60,952 million in revenue, $55.604 billion total assets, and 98,039 employees.

21. Tokyo Electric Power Company – $57,407 Million

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings was established in 1951 in Tokyo and founded by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and General Douglas MacArthur.

It is a public KK electric utility company that services electric generation, distribution, and transmission in Chiba, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tokyo, Tochigi, and Yamanashi.

With $57,407 million in revenue, the company is the 21st largest Japanese company and ranks 188th in Fortune 500.

Currently, the company has 38,671 employees, six offices, numerous fossil fuel power plants, and 169 hydroelectric stations.

22. Nippon Steel – $54,465 Million

The third-largest steel producer in the world, Nippon Steel was founded in 1950 as a public KK steel company.

The company produces several products including electronics, steel, semiconductors, wires, plates, and chemicals under its current subsidiaries, Nippon Steel Engineering, Nippon Steel Materials, and Nippon Steel Chemical.

It is the 22nd largest company in Japan with a revenue of $54,465 million. At present, 105,796 employees are working for the company and several major plant locations including Chiba, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Iwate, Nagoya, Oita, Osaka, Tokyo, Yamaguchi.

23. Tokio Marine – $50,270 Million

Founded in 1879, Tokio Marine Holdings is a public KK insurance company with a revenue of $50,270 million.

Some of its holdings are Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Tokio Marine & Nichido Life Insurance Co., Tokio Marine HCC, and Philadelphia Insurance Companies.

For non-insurance businesses, there are Tokio Marine Asset Management, Tokio Marine Technologies, and Tokio Marine Nichido Samuel.

The company has 41,101 employees in over 30 countries in the world.

24. Idemitsu Kosan – $48,892 Million

Idemitsu Kosan was founded in 1911 by Sazō Idemitsu, which is owned by the Idemitsu family and Saudi Aramco.

The company is one of the largest Japanese oil and gas companies and produces fuel, petroleum, and petrochemicals.

In its early beginnings, it shifted from selling lubricant oil to fuel oil and coal. At present, the company owns 12 oil tankers, four refineries, 5,250 petroleum service stations, two petrochemical plants, four coal mines in Australia, and two art museums.

25. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group – $48,880 Million

The 25th largest Japanese company and the second-largest Japanese financial institution by total assets is Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC), a public KK financial service company with a revenue of $48,880 million.

The company provides personal, corporate, and investment financial services in more than 40 countries.

It has 103,000 employees and 463 branches worldwide and its main headquarters are located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Interestingly, it is the only bank that has a branch office in Tokyo Disneyland.

26. Sumitomo Group – $48,746 Million

Established in 1615 by Masatomo Sumitomo, Sumitomo Group is a conglomerate famous for copper refining and exportation.

The company evolved into other businesses such as copper mining, coal, forestry, silk importation, and financial services.

Sumitomo Group is the 26th largest Japanese company with a revenue of $48,746 million. Moreover, it ranks 238th in Fortune 500 and 290th in Forbes 2000 listing.

27. KDDI – $48,171 Million

KDDI Corporation was established in 1953 as a public KK telecommunications company specializing in internet services, mobile phone services, and digital TV.

Its main headquarters are situated in Chiyoda, Tokyo and it has several subsidiaries, including Okinawa Cellular Telephone, Kokusai Cable Ship, KDDI R&D Labs, KDDI Global, KDDI America, and KDDI Network & Solutions.

Today, the company has 44,952 employees and a revenue of $48,171 million, making it the 27th largest Japanese company.

Kyocera currently owns 12.76% and Toyota owns 11.09%.

28. MS&AD Insurance Group – $47,537 Million

Founded in 2008, MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings is a public KK insurance company in Tokyo that was formed by merging three other businesses: Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, and Nissay Dowa General Insurance.

With a revenue of $47,537 million, MS&AD Insurance Group is the 28th largest company in Japan, 246th in Fortune 500, and 215th in Forbes 2000.

The company has a paid-in capital of ¥100,276 million and currently has 423 employees. As an insurance holding company, it focuses on managing life and non-life insurance companies.

29. DENSO – $47,400 Million

DENSO Corporation was established in 1949 as a public KK company dealing with auto and truck parts.

It is the fourth-largest auto parts manufacturer in the world with $47,400 million in revenue.

The company is owned by Toyota for 24.77% and Toyota Industries for 8.72%. Its operations engage in manufacturing components for hybrid cars, airbags, spark plugs, and engines, as well as non-auto parts for household heating and robots.

30. Mitsubishi Electric – $41,045 Million

The 30th largest Japanese company is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO), with total revenue of $41,045 million.

It was founded in 1921 and was formerly known as Mitsubishi Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

The company produces electrical equipment such as home appliances, energy systems, air conditioning, satellites, information and communication systems, and elevators.

Its global businesses include Mitsubishi Electric North America, Mitsubishi Electric Asia-Pacific, and Mitsubishi Electric Europe.