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
Industry Deep Dive: Information Technology (IT)
Global trendsetters in IT are placing a bet on Yokohama The IT community was taken by surprise when they heard the announcement that US tech giant Apple Inc. had chosen Tsunashima, a less-known area...
Company Spotlight: Falcon Denshi K.K.
Interview with Mr. Hiroaki Kinoshita, President, Falcon Denshi K.K. Q. Please give us an overview of your company’s business. Falcon Denshi K.K. was established in Yokohama on June 2, 2009, the day...
Company Spotlight: CommuniCloud Japan. Co., Ltd.
Interview with Mr. Takeshi Fukuda, President, CommuniCloud Japan. Co., Ltd. Q. Please give us an overview of your company’s business. CommuniCloud is an audio and video conferencing solutions...
ITOP Yokohama updates: venture pitch, project grants and engineer retraining program
IoT Open Innovation Partners Yokohama (ITOP Yokohama), the city’s innovation platform for IoT, big data, AI, and robotics, has several exciting developments coming up in the first months of 2019. In...
26,607 attend Embedded Technology/IoT Technology event in Pacifico Yokohama
The City of Yokohama and the Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation (IDEC Yokohama) hosted the Yokohama Pavilion at the Embedded Technology/IoT Technology in Japan (ET/IoT Technology) event...