Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

Top 20 Companies in Japan by Market Cap

In this piece, we will take a look at the top 20 companies in Japan by market capitalization. For more companies, take a look at Top 5 Companies in Japan by Market Cap.

Despite ranking 56th in the world in terms of area, Japan is the world’s third largest economy. Its gross domestic product (GDP) is a whopping $4.3 trillion as of 2022, and in terms of population, Japan is the 11th most populous region in the world, which also makes it one of the most densely populated regions in the world.

The country is also a global power in modern day politics and has played an important role in history. Japan was one of the aggressors in the second world war, and its partnership with the Axis powers led by Nazi Germany led to the country facing devastating consequences as the war ended and the Allies won. However, within a couple of decades, after Japan surrendered and the war ended, the country rose to become the second largest economy in the world, second only to the U.S.

Japan’s economic recovery began in stages, with the government first incentivizing the production of raw materials, then heavily encouraging industrialization, removing anti monopoly laws to protect domestic firms from foreign companies, and finally choosing to double the national income. However, this obsession with growth, which propelled Japan to the economic heights that it still occupies today, also led to a significant collapse in the 1990s. An excessively lax monetary policy and a stronger yen combined with global oil price shocks of the late 1900s also led to the infamous Japanese asset bubble burst, which led to a drop in real estate prices that continued until 2017.

However, modern day Japan is still an economic power. The Bank of Japan, which is Japan’s central bank, has the second largest foreign exchange dollar reserves in the world, which sit at $1.2 trillion as of March 2023. At the same time, data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that as of 2022 end, the Japanese Yen was the world’s third largest reserve currency, coming in second only to the U.S. Dollar and the Euro. Additionally, the Japanese Yen is part of a basket of six currencies that are used to determine the value of the IMF’s special drawing rights (SDRs). These rights are the monetary equivalent of a points system that the IMF allocates to nations that are facing foreign exchange problems and need the fund’s help to bolster their reserves to prevent economic pain.

Japan was also the world’s fifth largest exporter in 2022, with traditional sectors such as automotive, iron, and steel, along with newer ones such as semiconductors, dominating the fray. It is also one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, with a well developed space program. Japan is also the world leader in industrial robotics, keeping in tune with its rapid technological advancement that has enabled to it stand shoulder to shoulder with advanced Western economies. According to data from the Japan Robot Association, orders for industrial robots hit a whopping $7.35 billion in 2022, growing by 1.6% annually even at a time when the global economy was reeling from the energy shock ushered in by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This set a new record, with a growth in car production and labor shortages stimulating the market. At the same time, robot production grew by 5.6%, and stood at 879 billion yen in 2022. Yet, fears of a global economic slowdown finally did hurt the industry as orders dropped by 4.3% and production dropped by 4% in the fourth quarter of 2022 year over year.

2022 was a year marked by fiscal policy tightening by all of the world’s major central banks – except one. The Bank of Japan stood against the tide as it allowed the Yen to flow freely, which naturally resulted in a massive depreciation in the currency as funds flew to regions with higher interest rates. From 115 yen to a dollar in February 2022, the yen fell to 148 in October 2022, but since then it has gained some ground and currently trades at 134. This is despite the fact that the Japan Central Bank did not raise rates, and its equivalent of a monetary policy tightening came in the form of increasing the yield bands in which Japan’s 10 year bonds trade.

Looking at what the future holds for the Japanese economy, research from the firm Deloitte provides some insights. Deloitte believes that while the Japanese economy will grow this year, the growth will be relatively modest as high inflation and a slow resurgence in the tourism sector hamper spending. In terms of numbers, estimates from the IMF show that the economy will grow at 1.8% this year, with the IMF’s Japan mission chief Ranil Salgado sharing in January 2023:

In the case of Japan, have upgraded forecasts for Japan from 1.6 percent to 1.8 percent because of China’s reopening and given the strong relations between China and Japan in terms of trade and tourism that has a positive spillover to Japan. Again, overall growth is expected to bottom out this year, but then recovering into 2024.

With these details in mind, let’s take a look at Japan’s biggest companies in terms of market capitalization. Out of these, the largest are Keyence Corporation (TYO:6861.T), Toyota Motor Corporation (TYO:7203.T), and Sony Group Corporation (TYO:6758.T).

Our Methodology

We first used a stock screener to pick the biggest companies in Japan in terms of market capitalization. Then, since screeners often miss out on crucial firms, especially in foreign markets, we verified the list with the Topix Core 30 and the Nikkei 225 indexes. All market capitalization is listed in Japanese Yen, and the 20 largest companies in Japan in terms of market capitalization are listed below.

Top 20 Companies in Japan by Market Cap

20. Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. (TYO:6098.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 6.07 trillion

Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. (TYO:6098.T) is, as the name suggests, a staffing firm based in Tokyo. Along with Toyota Motor Corporation (TYO:7203.T), Keyence Corporation (TYO:6861.T), and Sony Group Corporation (TYO:6758.T) it is one of Japan’s largest companies by market capitalization.

20. Nintendo Co., Ltd. (TYO:7974.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 6.47 trillion

Nintendo Co., Ltd. (TYO:7974.T) is one of the biggest video game and entertainment firms in the world, known for its titles such as Mario, and consoles such as the Switch.

19. ITOCHU Corporation (TYO:8001.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 6.59 trillion

ITOCHU Corporation (TYO:8001.T) is an industrial equipment firm that is one of the oldest on our list since it was set up in 1858. The firm mines for minerals, makes and sells textiles, and develops real estate.

18. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (TYO:8031.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 6.6 trillion

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (TYO:8031.T) is an industrial equipment manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo. The firm makes and sells a wide variety of products such as steel and car parts. It also sells other products such as wind turbines and explores oil and gas.

17. Daikin Industries,Ltd. (TYO:6367.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 6.83 trillion

Daikin Industries,Ltd. (TYO:6367.T) is a construction and building products firm based in Osaka. It was set up in 1924 and sells products such as air conditioners and air filters.

16. Hitachi, Ltd. (TYO:6501.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 6.89 trillion

Hitachi, Ltd. (TYO:6501.T) is an industrial equipment manufacturer set up in 1910 and based in Tokyo. The firm makes and sells a wide variety of products such as ATMs and manufacturing process scanners.

15. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TYO:4502.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 7 trillion

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TYO:4502.T) is a healthcare company based in Tokyo. The firm was set up in 1781 and it sells pharmaceutical products.

14. Tokyo Electron Limited (TYO:8035.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 7.10 trillion

Tokyo Electron Limited (TYO:8035.T) is a semiconductor equipment manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo. Its products include coaters, deposition systems, and testing equipment.

13. Mitsubishi Corporation (TYO:8058.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 7.22 trillion

Mitsubishi Corporation (TYO:8058.T) is one of the biggest industrial companies in the world. It sells power plants, cars, chemicals, fertilizers, and other products.

12. SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 7.58 trillion

SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984.T), while primarily known for its investment division, is also a telecommunications service provider in Japan. It is headquartered in Tokyo.

11. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (TYO:8316.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 7.60 trillion

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (TYO:8316.T) is a commercial bank headquartered in Tokyo. The firm provides wealth management, loans, and merger financing services among others.

10. Oriental Land Co., Ltd. (TYO:4661.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 7.96 trillion

Oriental Land Co., Ltd. (TYO:4661.T) is a hospitality firm that operates theme parks and hotels. The firm is based in Urayasu and is known for managing Tokyo Disneyland.

9. Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (TYO:4063.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 8.32 trillion

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (TYO:4063.T) is a chemical maker based in Tokyo. It also sells pipes, caustic soda, and products used to make semiconductors.

8. KDDI Corporation (TYO:9433.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 8.95 trillion

KDDI Corporation (TYO:9433.T) is a telecommunications provider headquartered in Tokyo.

7. Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TYO:4568.T)

Latest Market Capitalization: JPY 9.17 trillion

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TYO:4568.T) is a Tokyo-based healthcare firm. It makes and sells products such as treatments for leukemia and anemia, cholesterol regulators, arthritis treatments, diabetes, and complications from tumors. It joins Keyence Corporation (TYO:6861.T), Toyota Motor Corporation (TYO:7203.T), and Sony Group Corporation (TYO:6758.T) in our list of the top Japanese firms in terms of market capitalization.

Click to continue reading and see Top 5 Companies in Japan by Market Cap.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. Top 20 Companies in Japan by Market Cap is originally published on Insider Monkey.

The $250 Trillion AI Hype is Real. A few years from now, you’ll probably wish you’d bought this stock.

When Jeff Bezos said that one breakthrough technology would shape Amazon’s destiny, even Wall Street’s biggest analysts were caught off guard.

Fast forward a year and Amazon’s new CEO Andy Jassy described generative AI as a “once-in-a-lifetime” technology that is already being used across Amazon to reinvent customer experiences.

At the 8th Future Investment Initiative conference, Elon Musk predicted that by 2040 there would be at least 10 billion humanoid robots, with each priced between $20,000 and $25,000.

Do the math. According to Musk, this technology could be worth $250 trillion by 2040.

Put another way, that’s roughly equal to:

  • 175 Teslas
  • 107 Amazons
  • 140 Metas
  • 84 Googles
  • 65 Microsofts
  • And 55 Nvidias

And here’s the wild part — this $250 trillion wave isn’t tied to one company, but to an entire ecosystem of AI innovators set to reshape the global economy.

It’s a leap so massive, it could reshape how businesses, governments, and consumers operate worldwide.

Even if that $250 trillion figure sounds ambitious, major firms like PwC and McKinsey still see AI unlocking multi-trillion-dollar potential.

How could anything be worth that much?

The answer lies in a breakthrough so powerful it’s redefining how humanity works, learns, and creates.

And this breakthrough has already set off a frenzy among hedge funds and Wall Street’s top investors.

What most investors don’t realize is that one under-owned company holds the key to this $250 trillion revolution.

In fact, Verge argues this company’s supercheap AI technology should concern rivals.

Before I reveal the details, let’s talk about how some of the richest people on the planet are positioning themselves.

  • Bill Gates sees artificial intelligence as the “biggest technological advance in my lifetime,” more transformative than the internet or personal computer, capable of improving healthcare, education, and addressing climate change.
  • Larry Ellison — through Oracle, is spending billions on Nvidia chips and partnering with Cohere to embed generative AI across Oracle’s cloud and apps.
  • Warren Buffett — not known for tech hype — says this breakthrough could have a ‘hugely beneficial social impact.

When billionaires from Silicon Valley to Wall Street line up behind the same idea — you know it’s worth paying attention to.

Even as we admire what Tesla, Nvidia, Alphabet, and Microsoft have built, we believe an even greater opportunity lies elsewhere…

But the real story isn’t Nvidia — it’s a much smaller company quietly improving the critical technology that makes this entire revolution possible.

And judging by what I’m hearing from both Silicon Valley insiders and Wall Street veterans…

This prediction might not be bold at all:

A few years from now, you’ll wish you’d owned this stock.

The best part? You can discover everything about this company and its groundbreaking technology right now.

I’ve compiled everything you need to know about this groundbreaking company in a detailed, members-only report.

Trust me — you’ll want to read this report before putting another dollar into any tech stock.

For a ridiculously low price of just $9.99 a month, you can unlock a year’s worth of in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single fast food meal!

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

• Access to our Detailed Report on this Game-Changing AI Stock: Our in-depth report dives deep into our #1 AI stock’s groundbreaking technology and massive growth potential.

• 11 New Issues of Our Premium Readership Newsletter: You will also receive 11 new issues and at least one new stock pick per month from our monthly newsletter’s portfolio over the next 12 months. These stocks are handpicked by our research director, Dr. Inan Dogan.

• One free upcoming issue of our 70+ page Quarterly Newsletter: A value of $149

• Bonus Reports: Premium access to members-only fund manager video interviews

• Ad-Free Browsing: Enjoy a year of investment research free from distracting banner and pop-up ads, allowing you to focus on uncovering the next big opportunity.

• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee:  If you’re not absolutely satisfied with our service, we’ll provide a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.

If you’re thinking about getting in, don’t wait – because once Wall Street catches wind of this story, the easy money will be gone.

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $9.99 a month.

2. Enjoy a year of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the revolutionary AI company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter over the next 12 months.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!

No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a month later!

AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

AI is eating the world—and the machines behind it are ravenous.

Each ChatGPT query, each model update, each robotic breakthrough consumes massive amounts of energy. In fact, AI is already pushing global power grids to the brink.

Wall Street is pouring hundreds of billions into artificial intelligence—training smarter chatbots, automating industries, and building the digital future. But there’s one urgent question few are asking:

Where will all of that energy come from?

AI is the most electricity-hungry technology ever invented. Each data center powering large language models like ChatGPT consumes as much energy as a small city. And it’s about to get worse.

Even Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, issued a stark warning:

“The future of AI depends on an energy breakthrough.”

Elon Musk was even more blunt:

“AI will run out of electricity by next year.”

As the world chases faster, smarter machines, a hidden crisis is emerging behind the scenes. Power grids are strained. Electricity prices are rising. Utilities are scrambling to expand capacity.

And that’s where the real opportunity lies…

One little-known company—almost entirely overlooked by most AI investors—could be the ultimate backdoor play. It’s not a chipmaker. It’s not a cloud platform. But it might be the most important AI stock in the US owns critical energy infrastructure assets positioned to feed the coming AI energy spike.

As demand from AI data centers explodes, this company is gearing up to profit from the most valuable commodity in the digital age: electricity.

The “Toll Booth” Operator of the AI Energy Boom

  • It owns critical nuclear energy infrastructure assets, positioning it at the heart of America’s next-generation power strategy.
  • It’s one of the only global companies capable of executing large-scale, complex EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) projects across oil, gas, renewable fuels, and industrial infrastructure.
  • It plays a pivotal role in U.S. LNG exportation—a sector about to explode under President Trump’s renewed “America First” energy doctrine.

Trump has made it clear: Europe and U.S. allies must buy American LNG.

And our company sits in the toll booth—collecting fees on every drop exported.

But that’s not all…

As Trump’s proposed tariffs push American manufacturers to bring their operations back home, this company will be first in line to rebuild, retrofit, and reengineer those facilities.

AI. Energy. Tariffs. Onshoring. This One Company Ties It All Together.

While the world is distracted by flashy AI tickers, a few smart investors are quietly scooping up shares of the one company powering it all from behind the scenes.

AI needs energy. Energy needs infrastructure.

And infrastructure needs a builder with experience, scale, and execution.

This company has its finger in every pie—and Wall Street is just starting to notice.

Wall Street is noticing this company also because it is quietly riding all of these tailwinds—without the sky-high valuation.

While most energy and utility firms are buried under mountains of debt and coughing up hefty interest payments just to appease bondholders…

This company is completely debt-free.

In fact, it’s sitting on a war chest of cash—equal to nearly one-third of its entire market cap.

It also owns a huge equity stake in another red-hot AI play, giving investors indirect exposure to multiple AI growth engines without paying a premium.

And here’s what the smart money has started whispering…

The Hedge Fund Secret That’s Starting to Leak Out

This stock is so off-the-radar, so absurdly undervalued, that some of the most secretive hedge fund managers in the world have begun pitching it at closed-door investment summits.

They’re sharing it quietly, away from the cameras, to rooms full of ultra-wealthy clients.

Why? Because excluding cash and investments, this company is trading at less than 7 times earnings.

And that’s for a business tied to:

  • The AI infrastructure supercycle
  • The onshoring boom driven by Trump-era tariffs
  • A surge in U.S. LNG exports
  • And a unique footprint in nuclear energy—the future of clean, reliable power

You simply won’t find another AI and energy stock this cheap… with this much upside.

This isn’t a hype stock. It’s not riding on hope.

It’s delivering real cash flows, owns critical infrastructure, and holds stakes in other major growth stories.

This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

This influx of talent guarantees a constant stream of groundbreaking ideas and rapid advancements.

By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

The future is powered by artificial intelligence, and the time to invest is NOW.

Don’t be a spectator in this technological revolution.

Dive into the AI gold rush and watch your portfolio soar alongside the brightest minds of our generation.

This isn’t just about making money – it’s about being part of the future.

So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your investment life!

Act Now and Unlock a Potential 100+% Return within 12 to 24 months.

We’re now offering month-to-month subscriptions with no commitments.

For a ridiculously low price of just $9.99 per month, you can unlock our in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single fast food meal!

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $9.99.

2. Enjoy a month of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the Trump tariff and nuclear energy company as well as the revolutionary AI-robotics company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!


No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a month later!