Needless to say, Toyota is a world-renowned Japanese automaker that has consistently placed among the top ten automakers in the world. Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, is where their headquarters are located. At first glance, you could suppose the word "Toyota" derives from the name of the city, but it was actually called after the founder, "Toyoda Sakichi." The company began as a spinoff of Toyota Industries, a machine manufacturer founded by Kiichiro's father, Sakichi Toyoda. Both enterprises are now part of the Toyota Group, one of the world's largest conglomerates.

Mr. Toyoda founded the company in 1918 after inventing an automatic loom and establishing his weaving machine company, which later expanded into the automobile sector. They currently operate a variety of domestic and international plants and branch offices. Toyota was lauded for being a pioneer in the creation and sale of more fuel-efficient hybrid electric vehicles, beginning with the 1997 release of the Toyota Prius. The company presently sells over 40 hybrid car variants worldwide. With global sales of $9.5 billion in 2020, they will be the world's best-selling automotive company.

Founded: 1937

Headquarters: Toyota City, Aichi, Japan

Website: https://global.toyota/

Sony is a multinational electronics corporation headquartered in Tokyo's Minato-ku district. They provide a diverse selection of technology products ranging from audio equipment to video gaming consoles to cellphones. Following WWII, the company was founded in 1946. Sony began as a modest electronics store with only about 20 employees and a little amount of money. Since then, they have grown to become one of the world's largest electronics companies, with customers all around the world.

Sony is the leading maker of image sensors, the second largest camera manufacturer, and one of the semiconductor sales leaders, with a 55 percent market share in the image sensor market. It is the world's largest participant in the premium TV market for televisions measuring at least 55 inches (140 centimeters) and costing more than $2,500, as well as the second-largest TV brand in terms of market share. Furthermore, as of 2020, it will be the world's third-largest television manufacturer in terms of yearly sales figures.

Founded: 1946

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

Website: https://www.sony.com/en/

If you have ever played video games, you will recognize this name! Nintendo is one of the world's largest and most recognizable electronic and video gaming corporations. Nintendo, founded in 1889, has been a market leader in its field for nearly a century. Their headquarters are in Kyoto, where they began as a tiny company manufacturing Japanese playing cards called "Hanafuda" before moving on to create iconic games and characters such as Donkey Kong and Mario. Today, they have legions of ardent followers all across the world and are best known for their video game systems such as the Game Boy and Switch.

In addition to corporate partners such as the Pokémon Company and HAL Laboratory, Nintendo has other subsidiaries in Japan and internationally. Emmy Awards for Technology and Engineering, Game Awards, Game Developers Choice Awards, and British Academy Games Awards have all been bestowed upon Nintendo and its employees. It is one of the most prosperous and valued enterprises in the Japanese market.

Founded: 1889
Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan
Website: https://www.nintendo.com/

Canon ranks 4th on the list of the Most Valuable Japanese Companies. Canon is a Japanese electronics manufacturer founded in 1937. Canon was founded in Japan in 1933 by Takeshi Mitarai, Goro Yoshida, Saburo Uchida, and Takeo Maeda as Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory. They are most well-known for their high-quality digital gadgets, which include world-renowned digital cameras, printers, and scanners, among other things.

Their SLR (Single-lens reflex) cameras are especially popular over the world, and they have a strong reputation for outstanding functionality and performance. Canon made an all-cash bid of €730 million (US$1.1 billion) for the Dutch printer manufacturer Océ in November 2009. Canon had bought a majority stake in Océ by March 2010 and had completed the acquisition of all of Océ's shares by the end of 2011.

As of 2021, the corporation employs approximately 180,000 people both domestically and globally, with offices in over 220 countries. Canon is a constituent of the TOPIX Core 30 and Nikkei 225 indexes and has its principal listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It used to be listed as a secondary stock on the New York Stock Exchange.

Founded: 1937

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

Website: https://global.canon/en/

Do you enjoy Japanese drinks? If you answered "Yes," you've undoubtedly tried Japanese beers that are popular all around the world! Asahi Breweries is one of Japan's four largest beer firms, producing a diverse range of high-quality alcoholic beverages. Beer, Shochu, wine, whisky, fruit cocktails, and other beverages are among their offerings. Asahi began in 1889 with the establishment of the Osaka Brewing Company. At the time, Japan's beer business was quickly expanding, with a rising number of newly founded beer companies throughout the country.

In 2019, the group generated JPY 2.1 trillion in revenue. Asahi's business portfolio can be divided into four categories: alcoholic beverages (40.5%), overseas (32%), soft drinks (17.2%), food (5.4%), and "other" (4.9%). With a 37% market share, Asahi is the largest of Japan's four main beer brewers, followed by Kirin Beer (34%), and Suntory (16%). Asahi increased its regional presence and business portfolio in response to a developing local Japanese beer market by acquiring highly wanted beer businesses in Western Europe and Central Eastern Europe.

Founded: 1889

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

Website: https://www.asahigroup-holdings.com/en/

Japan is home to a large number of world-famous cosmetic brands. They make high-quality cosmetics such as makeup, skincare, and hair products for individuals all over the world. Shiseido is one of Japan's most well-known and popular cosmetic companies. They have a 140-year history, dating back to 1872 when the founder opened Japan's first Western-style pharmacy in Tokyo. Their beauty products are safe and designed for all skin types, so there's bound to be something for you!

Its product categories include skin care, cosmetics, body care, hair care, and fragrances. The corporation is one of the oldest in the world, having marked its 150th anniversary in 2022. It is the largest cosmetic company in Japan and the fifth-largest cosmetic company in the world. Shiseido cosmetics are offered in Japan at cosmetic counters at select department shops and most pharmacies. In addition to its original label, the corporation has other brands and subsidiaries around the world. The corporation is located in Tokyo and is quoted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Founded: 1872

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

Website: https://corp.shiseido.com/jp/

Asics is a Japanese sportswear company based in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. They specialize in the production of a wide range of sports equipment and accessories, such as high-quality running shoes and apparel, which are popular not only among sports lovers, but also among professional and Olympic players. Asics began in 1949, when the firm's founder, Onitsuka Kihachiro, established a small private company with only four employees to manufacture basketball shoes.

Asics believes that their "Sound mind, sound body" attitude is crucial for everyone to achieve their goals and live a joyful and healthy life. From the 1950s onward, their business grew significantly, and they accounted for over half of Japan's athletic shoe market at the time! In fiscal year 2021, Asics generated 404 billion in net sales and 9.4 billion in net income. The sale of performance running shoes accounted for 58% of the company's revenue, while other shoes accounted for 21%, apparel and equipment accounted for 10%, and Onitsuka Tiger accounted for 11%.

Founded: 1949

Headquarters: Kobe, Japan

Website: https://www.asics.com/jp/ja-jp/

Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio that was founded in 1985. You've certainly seen or heard of some of their world-famous films, which have innumerable fans around the world. Some of their best works are Princess Mononoke (1997), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Spirited Away (2001), and Howl's Moving Castle (2004).

Their movies contain impressive narratives, engaging and lovable characters, and, of course, amazing music that is enjoyed by audiences of all ages. If you view their older films from the 1980s to the early 2000s, you will be astounded by the stunning scenes that were primarily hand-drawn by skilled animators (the more recent films incorporate some CG and 3D techniques).

Five of the studio's films are among Japan's top 10 highest-grossing anime feature films. Spirited Away comes in second with 31.68 billion yen in Japan and almost US$380 million worldwide, while Princess Mononoke comes in fourth with 20.18 billion yen. Many of their works have received the Animage Grand Prix. The Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year has been awarded to four films. Five of their films have been nominated for Academy Awards. Spirited Away received the Golden Bear in 2002 and the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003.

Founded: 1985

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

Website: https://www.ghibli.jp/

Calbee, which is ranked 9th on the list of the Most Valuable Japanese Companies, is a popular Japanese snack manufacturer. It was created on April 30, 1949, and its headquarters are housed in the Marunouchi Trust Tower Main in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo. They provide a wide range of treats, including chocolate, cookies, candies, and gummies. They are probably most known for their tasty potato chips, which are rather uncommon in other countries but can be found in grocery stores and convenience stores all around Japan!

Their first potato chip product was "Lightly Salted Potato Chips" (named "Usushio-aji" in Japanese), which debuted in 1975. Since then, Japanese people have liked the basic yet addicting flavor, as well as the other additional varieties that have been introduced over the years. "Jagariko" is another popular Calbee product that is basically crispy potato sticks! Calbee snacks are extremely popular in Asia and are well-known in the United States.

Founded: 1949

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

Website: https://www.calbee.co.jp/en/

The last firm on the list of the Most Valuable Japanese Companies is Nissin. Nissin is a Japanese food company that was founded in 1948. They are largely regarded as the creators of the world's first instant ramen noodles, which were released in 1958. Since then, they have been a fan favorite all over the world with their irresistible instant noodles that are simple to prepare and unexpectedly excellent.

"CUP NOODLE" is undoubtedly their most well-known instant noodle brand, with many distinct flavors developed over the years, including original soy source, salt, seafood, miso, and curry to mention a few. In Yokohama, there is even a CUP NOODLE MUSEUM with a great presentation of the brand's history and you can even manufacture your own personal instant noodles! In addition to instant noodles, they provide a wide range of other culinary goods such as spaghetti, frozen dinners, desserts, and drinks. Their products are widely available at convenience and supermarket stores around Japan.

Founded: 1948

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan

Website: https://www.nissin.com/en_jp/