Information Technology (IT)
Yokohama has attracted many IT companies due to its unbeatable accessibility, proximity to the Tokyo mega-market, an established cluster of high-tech manufacturing, and presence of a highly skilled workforce. Global trendsetters have chosen Yokohama as the site for major R&D centers, such as the Apple YTC which started operations in 2017, and the LG Yokohama Innovation Center scheduled to start operations in 2021, while the City has also been a popular destination for startups and SMEs.
The growing IT sector is supported by first class educational and research institutions, such as 9 science and engineering universities, incubation centers, and Technology Licensing Organizations (TLOs), many of which have collaborated with IT companies in joint research projects. The Tokyo Institute of Technology has recently established the Institute of Innovative Research, while several leading institutions such as Keio University have advance research facilities on their Yokohama campuses. There are numerous incubation facilities throughout the city operated by IDEC Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, universities, and private organizations.
In 2024, Yokohama launched the “Tech Hub Yokohama,” a support base for technology startups, to create unicorn-class startups with a focus on high-tech fields such as CleanTech and mobility. Tech Hub Yokohama is made possible due to the collaboration between Yokohama City and both local and international startup supporters, creating a startup growth network that’s globally minded and active, with new events being held regularly to spur the tech innovation in the city.
At a Glance
- As of 2014, Yokohama had a total of 3,032 IT establishments. 1,613 (50.0%) were software related, 770 (25.4%) were hardware related, and 649 (21.4%) were content businesses.
- As of 2014, there were 89,358 people employed in the IT sector in Yokohama. 54,587 (61.1%) were employed by software companies, 29,166 (32.6%) by hardware companies, and 5,605 (6.3%）by digital content companies
Initiatives
Tech Hub Yokohama:
A new support base for technology startups, to create unicorn-class startups in technology-related fields such as CleanTech and mobility, by leveraging Yokohama’s strengths such as its large population of researchers and engineers and concentration of R&D by global companies.
Website：https://techhub-yokohama.com/
Key Companies & Organizations
Foreign-owned companies
- ARM K.K.
- Cadence Design Systems, Japan
- Lenovo Japan Ltd.
- Wipro Limited Japan Office
Japanese Companies
- Fujisoft Incorporated
- I-NET CORP.
- Innotech Corporation
- Macnica, Inc.
- NEOJAPAN Inc.
- Panasonic Mobile Communications Co.Ltd.
- Socionext Inc.
- Tecmo Koei Holdings Co.,Ltd.
- Zuken Inc.
Learn More
Yokohama’s IT Industry: Deep Dive
How to use IT to facilitate public-private partnerships (Innovation Interviews, Ep. 7)
Iwao Kobayashi, Code for YOKOHAMA, Joint Representative Iwao Kobayashi works with Code for YOKOHAMA, a local volunteer organization that promotes public IT initiatives. Kobayashi also provides...
Galvanize visits Yokohama, introduces cutting edge data science programs
50 participants gathered at YOXO BOX on February 6th in order to experience Galvanize’s state-of-the-art method of educating tech talent. Galvanize, a US-based software engineering and data science...
Japan’s Emerging R&D Hub: CBRE Report highlights Yokohama’s advantages
In a recent report, real estate and investment firm CBRE labeled Yokohama City as “Japan’s Emerging R&D Hub.” Reasons for this finding included the continuing emergence of large buildings...
Connect with global Japanese corporations at YOKOHAMA GADGET FESTIVAL 2019
During the month of October, “Yokohama Gadget Festival 2019,” a new multi-stage public event to celebrate innovation will be held in Yokohama through a joint partnership with local SMEs, large...
City of Yokohama introduces TechDay New York to new Japanese startups
On May 2nd, 2019, the City of Yokohama hosted a booth at TechDay New York, the largest startup event in the US. This year's annual TechDay was the busiest to date, with over 20,000 attendees...
Company Spotlight: ICON
This toy robot is teaching programming for kids through interactive and intuitive play. President and Representative Director Toshiko Tsuchiya introduced us to ICON, a Yokohama-based company...