This article showcases our top picks for the best Japanese based Automotive companies. These startups and companies are taking a variety of approaches to innovating the Automotive industry, but are all exceptional companies well worth a follow.
We tried to pick companies across the size spectrum from cutting edge startups to established brands.
We selected these startups and companies for exceptional performance in one of these categories:
- Innovation
- Innovative ideas
- Innovative route to market
- Innovative product
- Growth
- Exceptional growth
- Exceptional growth strategy
- Management
- Societal impact
Top Japanese Automotive Startups
Data sourced from Crunchbase and SemRush.
Toyota Motor
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Toyota is an automotive company that manufactures and markets vehicles to over 170 countries and regions.
Mitsubishi Motors
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Mitsubishi Motors is a Japan-based automobile company that develops, produces, and sells passenger vehicles and automotive components.
Tier IV
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Tier IV develops open source software for autonomous driving.
SkyDrive
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SkyDrive is a start-up for development,manufacturing,sales of the “Flying cars” established by CARTIVATOR members.
ZMP
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ZMP is a producer of robotics products and accessories such as vehicles and buses.
VAAK
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VAAK operates human analysis platform with behavior recognition for retail and security: crime prevention and checkout-less systems.
Denso
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Denso is a supplier of advanced automotive technology.
Akippa
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Akippa is an Osaka-based company that offers parking space reservation services.
Global Mobility Service
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Global Mobility Service is a financial service company.
Terra Motors
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Terra Motors is an electric car manufacturing company that utilizes IoT and digitally connecting EV mobility.
Mobility Technologies
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Mobility Technologies provides vehicle allocation systems for taxi operators.
JapanTaxi
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JapanTaxi is a Provider of taxi booking services designed to cater the needs of people in Japan.
Cocoa Motors
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WalkCar is a manufacturer of an electric car that can be mobile and put it in a bag.
SB Drive
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SB Drive is an entity created last year to develop autonomous vehicle technology for public transport
FOMM
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FOMM is a worked on the planning and development of mobility using original electric vehicle.
Honda Motor
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Honda Motor is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.
XTIA
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XTIA is engaged in the development, manufacturing, and sales of high-precision measurement instruments and 3D scanners.
DiDi Mobility Japan
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DiDi Mobility is collaboration with taxi operators and related ministries and agencies.
AeroEdge
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AeroEdge manufactures equipment for aerospace industry.
GLM
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GLM develops and manufactures automobiles, including electronic cars.
Blue Innovation Co.
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Development of a safe flight management system for unmanned aerial vehicles Solutions for R & D and unmanned aerial vehicles.
DennoKotsu
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Denno Kotsu is a Taxi dispatch system development and provision, taxi company contract dispatch service
AZAPA
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AZAPA engages in Automotive, Energy, Info Tech, Communication & Technology, and R & D business.
APTJ
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Automotive Platform Technology Japan (APTJ) primarily engages in the development and sale of automotive software and hardware products.
Ecohai Co.,Ltd
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Ecohai Co.,Ltd is an ecological and economic parcel delivery service provider offering low-cost delivery services with a reduced carbon.
U-MaP
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U-MAP is a start-up from Nagoya University to develop industrial materials.
MANTRA
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MANTRA is a developer of machine translation technology.
Nissan Motor Corporation
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Nissan Motor Corporation is a Japanese automobile maufacturer.
micro-AMS
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micro-AMS are a venture company aiming for industrial revolution in the thermoplastic resin molding field through “Photon Molding”.
Exvision
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Developing “Hi-Speed Vision” algorithm and products, which leverage images taken at higher frame rate than standard video rate (>100fps)
Michael Japan
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Michael is a Internet service development and operation.
Best1
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Best1 provides internet, web & graphics design and automotive services.
Sharenori
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Sharenori is a car-sharing service provider among individuals.
FINE TRADING JAPAN
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FINE TRADING JAPAN is a Development, manufacture and sale of automobile-related products, automobile company
Subaru
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Subaru manufactures multifaceted transport equipment.
NSK
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NSK is an industrial machinery company that engages in developing and manufacturing bearings.
ASTER Japan
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Astor is a Development and production and sale of industrial machinery
nommoc
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nommoc is a service that provides customers with a future travel experience by arranging a car with a smartphone app.
Keeyls
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Keeyls is providing a system that solves the time and physical divergence between those who want to lend /provide.
Woven Planet Holdings
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Woven Planet Holdings develops technologies designed to achieve zero casualties and provide mobility for all.
Toyota Tsusho
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The newborn Toyota Tsusho Group aims to be a new trading company group that makes flexible ideas and proposals.
TDK Corporation
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TDK Corporation is your source for electronic solutions.
Mazda Motor Corp.
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Mazda Motor Corporation is a Japan-based company engaged in the manufacture and distribution of automobiles and automobile parts.
Bridgestone Corporation
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Bridgestone Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells tires and other rubber products.
Yamaha Motor Co.,
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Yamaha Motor Corporation is an automotive manufacturing company, specializing in motorcycles and outboard motors.
Four Link Systems
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Four Link Systems is a Next-generation automotive technology research and development, design, contract development
Hitachi Chemical
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Hitachi Chemical co., ltd. is a chemical manufacturer engaged in multiple industries.
Aisin Seiki
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Aisin Seiki develops and produces components and systems for the automotive industry.
Honest Co. Ltd.
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Honest is an auto parts manufacturing firm.
Toyota Research Institute – Advanced Development
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Toyota Research Institute is a pioneer in developing software for automated driving at Toyota Motor Corporation.
Koito
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Koito engages in manufacturing and marketing of automotive lighting equipment, aircraft parts, electrical equipment, and other products.
Subaru Corporation
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Subaru Corporation is a transportation equipment manufacturing company.
Toyoda Gosei
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Toyoda Gosei specializes in manufacturing and sales of automotive parts, including weatherstrips, functional parts, and safety systems.
Daihatsu
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Daihatsu is the surviving Japanese internal combustion engine manufacturers.
Pilkington
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Pilkington is a manufacturer of high performance glass and glazing solutions contributing to energy conservation and generation.
Toyota Industries Corp
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Toyota Industries Corp focuses on the manufacture and sales of automobiles, materials handling equipment, textile machinery, and more.
Hitachi Automotive Systems
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Hitachi Automotive Systems manufactures automotive and transportation components and systems including engine powertrain systems.
Honda Motor & Scooter India Pvt. Limited
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Honda Motor Europe Ltd. was established in October 1989.
JTEKT Corporation
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JTEKT Corporation is an automotive company provides Steering Systems, Bearings, Driveline Components, and Machine Tool & Mechatronics.
Calsonic Kansei Corporation
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Calsonic Kansei Corporation is a Japan-based manufacturer specializing in the manufacture and sale of automobile components.
Nippon Seiki
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Nippon Seiki engages in sales and manufacturing of Instrument clusters for automobiles, motorcycles and other applications.
Car Hub Japan
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Car Hub Japan is a leading automobile trading company, providing top-of-the-line Japanese used cars to customers around the world.
Futaba
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Futaba creates everything from its own tools to its own manufacturing facilities.
15th Rock Ventures
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15th Rock focuses on seed and pre-IPO investments.
JATCO Ltd
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JATCO Ltd is an automotive company that provides transmissions and manufacturing services.
HI-LEX Corporation
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HI-LEX Corporation is a Japanese corporation specializing in the manufacture and sale of remote-controlling electrical cables .
I-AUC
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I-AUC is an online used car auction agency that provides buying, selling, and transportation services.
JAMA
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JAMA promotes the development of the Japanese automobile industry and contributes to social-economic welfare.
Kobe Steel
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Kobe Steel, Ltd. is a diversified corporation with businesses in the three core areas of materials, machinery and electric power.
Hitachi Metals
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A materials manufacturer that has gained distinction for its high-quality technology and outstanding development capabilities.
Autobacs Seven
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Autobacs Seven is an Automotive parts and accessories stores company.
IDOM Inc.
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IDOM operates a network of stores that buy and sell used cars throughout Japan.
Automotive Energy Supply Corporation
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Automotive Energy Supply Corporation is a leading lithium-ion battery company.
Carpaydiem
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Carpaydiem specializes in selling and transporting Japanese used commercial vehicles and trucks.
KYB
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KYB is a manufacture and sale of hydraulic equipment and hydraulic shock absorbers.
Kinto
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Kinto is a Company to manage and operate its beloved-car subscription service.
Primearth EV Energy Co
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Primearth EV Energy Co engages in development, manufacturing and sales of NiMH batteries for PEV/HEV.
Zulfiqar Motors Co., Ltd
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The Leading Japanese Used Cars Exporter
MOTA
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MOTA is an online portal that share information on know-how on purchasing new and used cars and how to sell cars.
TOKAIRIKA
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Tokai Rika manufactures and sells human machine interface systems, security systems, safety systems, and electronic products.
Shoei
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Shoei is a Japanese company that produces motorsport helmets.
CARTIVATOR
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This is a voluntary activity group consisted of young members who are mainly in automobile industry.
Nichirin
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Nichirin manufactures hose parts for automobiles and motorcycles.
Rainbow Partners
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Rainbow Partners pioneers licensing entertainment metadata, media recognition and recommendation solutions.
Vehicle Energy Japan
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Vehicle Energy Japan specializes in development, manufacturing and sales of automotive lithium-ion batteries.
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
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The Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation is a German-owned, Japan-based manufacturer of trucks and buses.
Doog
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Doog Co., Ltd. develops mobile robots that operate safely and reliably near where people work and live.
Stanley Electric
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Stanley Electric specializes in manufacturing of automotive and other light bulbs.
Seibii, Inc.
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Online platform for mobile mechanic, repairing car, roadside assistance. Digitalizing automobile aftermarket industry starting from Japan.
ALPINE Japan
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ALPINE Japan is a car audio, car navigation systems, and other mobility-related services seller company.
TAU
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TAU engages in the recycling of Japanese used cars, damaged cars, and spare parts.
JU GIFU Hashima Auto Auction
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JU GIFU Hashima Auto Auction provides automotive auction services.
Sankei Giken Kogyo
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Sankei Giken Kogyo produces metal and plastic parts through forming and surface-treatment processes.
ALPHA Corporation
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ALPHA Corporation is a manufacturer of automobile parts.