How to Find Information About Japanese Companies
Whether you're researching potential business partners, exploring the Japanese market, or simply curious about a company, understanding how to gather reliable information on Japanese businesses can be invaluable. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate this process:
1. Use Official Government Resources
Official databases provided by the Japanese government are the most reliable sources when researching company information. They are especially useful for verifying foundational data like a company’s registration, location, and establishment details. Below are some specific examples and tips for effective use.
· National Tax Agency’s Corporate Number Publication Site:
This allows you to search for a company’s corporate registration details, including official address and registration date. When searching for a company name, it’s essential to use the exact official kanji or formal name. Nicknames or informal names may not yield results. Obtaining the corporate number can serve as a key to accessing additional official information, which is helpful for contracts or business documentation.
National Tax Agency Corporate Number Publication Site(NTA-CNPS)
· Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO):
JETRO is ideal for researching Japanese companies involved in international trade or investment. It’s particularly useful when you’re looking for companies with global operations or those targeting overseas markets.
Use industry-specific or region-specific reports available on the site to create lists of companies within a particular sector. Many resources are available in English as well, making it convenient for sharing information with international business partners.
JETRO | Japan External Trade Organization
2. Research information about the company on the Internet
When researching company information on the Internet, you may not be able to find the information you need efficiently by simply typing the company name into the search bar. Here are some tips on how to use search engines effectively.
· Use Specific Search Keywords
When researching a company online, using specific search techniques can help you get more relevant results. For example, by typing “ABC Corporation +Product Information,” you’ll narrow down the results to pages that contain both “ABC Corporation” and “Product Information,” making it easier to find the exact details you need.
Additionally, using “ABC Corporation OR ABC Inc.” will ensure that you get results for both the official name and its commonly used abbreviation, “ABC Inc.” If you want to exclude job-related content, you can type “ABC Corporation -Job Listings” to remove any pages related to career opportunities, keeping your search focused on more relevant information.
Finally, by searching for “"ABC Corporation New Business Initiatives"” with quotation marks around the exact phrase, you’ll ensure that only pages containing that specific phrase show up, allowing you to find more accurate and precise information.
3. Leverage Business Databases
Business databases are powerful tools for collecting detailed information about companies. There are both free and paid databases, and by using them according to your needs, you can gather in-depth insights. Below are some useful databases and how to make the most of them:
· Teikoku Databank
Teikoku Databank is a database that provides credit and financial information about companies within Japan. It covers a wide range of details, including company performance, financial status, and business relationships, making it especially useful for credit checks and risk management. Additionally, it allows you to assess a company's financial health, review past performance, and analyze growth trends over time.
https://www.tdb-en.jp/index.html
· Tokyo Shoko Research
Tokyo Shoko Research also provides detailed data on credit information and corporate business conditions. In particular, it has a wealth of information on Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which can be useful in analyzing a company's health and solvency.
https://www.tsr-net.co.jp/global/
· Nikkei Telecom 21
Nikkei Telecom 21 is a database that provides industry trends, company profiles, stock information, and more, with a focus on Japanese companies. It is useful if you are looking for real-time information specific to the Japanese market.
https://t21help.nikkei.co.jp/reference/cat273/post-9.html
4. Using Japanese Business Directories
Japan has several business directories that make it easy to search for company information, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Here are some useful directories and how to use them:
· Chamber of Commerce Directories
Local Chamber of Commerce directories provide information about SMEs based in specific regions. They also offer access to networking events and regional economic activity, which can help you discover new business opportunities.
· J-GoodTech
J-GoodTech is a business matching website designed to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Japan. You can search for product information, technology information, and business information, and the site provides a wealth of information especially for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). You can find companies specializing in a particular industry or technology, or match directly with companies to expand your business opportunities.
https://jgoodtech.smrj.go.jp/pub/en/
· Japan Company Handbook
Japan Company Handbook is a comprehensive database of Japanese company information. It is rich in financial data and stock information, mainly on listed companies, and provides up-to-date information on major and growing companies.
https://biz.toyokeizai.net/en/data/service/detail/id=859
5. Hire a market research firm
Market research firms are professional groups that analyze trends, consumer behavior, and the competitive environment for specific industries and companies, providing essential data for developing corporate strategies. These firms primarily collect and analyze the following types of information.
· Market size: assesses how large the market is for a particular product or service.
· Growth projections: analyze the future growth potential of an industry or market.
· Competitive Landscape: Insights into the major players in the industry, their market share, and competitive strategies.
· Consumer Behavior: Investigates purchasing motivations, needs, and consumption trends.
Reports from Japanese market research companies are highly valuable for product development, marketing strategies, and launching new businesses. They provide quick and efficient access to data that would otherwise take a significant amount of time to collect in-house, offering reliable insights analyzed from an objective perspective by external industry experts. Additionally, they can help uncover market trends and potential business opportunities in Japan that competitors may not yet have noticed. While these reports often come with a cost, considering the time and effort saved, leveraging professional expertise is often a wise investment.
Conclusion
Researching Japanese companies is straightforward with the right tools and resources. Combining government databases, business directories, and professional platforms will give you a well-rounded view of any company.