15 Major Companies in the Japanese Precision Equipment Industry

The Japanese precision equipment industry enjoys a high global reputation for its advanced technological capabilities and dedication to craftsmanship. This article carefully selects 15 major companies representing the Japanese precision equipment industry, active in diverse fields such as medical care, optics, and FA (Factory Automation), and thoroughly explains each company’s business activities, strengths, achievements, and future outlook. future outlook.

Olympus is a precision equipment manufacturer that boasts the world’s top share in endoscopes. It also develops businesses in the scientific and imaging fields, primarily focusing on the medical field. Founded in 1919, it initially started with the manufacture of microscopes and subsequently expanded its business to endoscopes, medical equipment, and digital cameras. Its headquarters is located in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.

Olympus’ strengths are its overwhelming share in endoscopes, advanced optical technology, and endoscope development capabilities. In particular, it provides products such as gastrointestinal endoscopes and surgical endoscopes to medical institutions around the world, making a significant contribution to the medical field.

With the medical field as the center of its business, it is promoting technological innovation in endoscopes and surgical equipment and is also focusing on the development of diagnostic support systems using AI technology. As a precision equipment manufacturer leading the world in endoscopes, it is contributing to the development of the medical field.

Terumo is a manufacturer that provides medical equipment such as catheters and artificial heart-lung machines. It has strengths in fields such as cardiovascular and endovascular treatment. Founded in 1921, it started with the manufacture of thermometers and subsequently expanded its business to medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. Its headquarters is located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

Terumo’s strengths are its extensive product lineup in the cardiovascular and endovascular treatment fields and its advanced technological capabilities. It provides a wide range of medical equipment to medical institutions and plays an important role in medical frontlines.

With the progress of an aging society, it is strengthening product development for elderly care and home medical care and is also actively promoting overseas expansion. As a medical device manufacturer supporting medical frontlines, it is contributing to people’s health.

Nihon Kohden is a manufacturer that provides medical electronic equipment such as patient monitors and defibrillators. It has strengths in fields such as emergency medicine and intensive care. Founded in 1951, it develops, manufactures, and sells medical electronic equipment. Its headquarters is located in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.

Nihon Kohden’s strengths are its high technological capabilities and achievements in equipment for emergency medicine and intensive care. It provides patient monitors, defibrillators, electrocardiographs, etc., and contributes to emergency and critical care medicine by providing products to medical institutions and emergency sites.

To respond to medical needs in an aging society, it is strengthening equipment development for home medical care and remote medical care. As a medical electronic equipment manufacturer supporting emergency and critical care medicine, it is contributing to medical frontlines.

Sysmex is a manufacturer that provides clinical testing equipment such as blood analyzers and urine analyzers. It has a global share in the in vitro diagnostics field. Founded in 1968, it develops, manufactures, and sells clinical testing equipment and reagents. Its headquarters is located in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.

Sysmex’s strengths are its global share in the blood testing field, advanced testing technology, and reagent development capabilities. By providing products to medical institutions and testing centers, it contributes to the early detection and diagnosis of diseases.

To respond to the progress of preventive medicine and personalized medicine, it is promoting the development of high-precision testing equipment and diagnostic support systems using AI technology. As a company leading the in vitro diagnostics field, it is contributing to improving the quality of medical care.

Nikon is a precision equipment manufacturer that provides cameras, semiconductor lithography equipment, and microscopes. It has earned high praise for its optical technology. Founded in 1917, it initially started with the manufacture of optical weapons and subsequently expanded its business to cameras, semiconductor lithography equipment, and microscopes. Its headquarters is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

Nikon’s strengths are its advanced optical technology and precision processing technology cultivated over many years. It has a high share in digital cameras, semiconductor lithography equipment, and microscopes, contributing to the development of science and technology.

With optical technology as its core, it aims to pioneer new business domains and is strengthening its entry into the medical and industrial equipment fields. As a precision equipment manufacturer leading the world in optical technology, it is contributing to the development of science, technology, and industry.

Canon is widely known for cameras, printers, and multifunction devices, but it is also a precision equipment manufacturer that provides semiconductor lithography equipment and medical equipment. Founded in 1937, it started with the manufacture of cameras and subsequently expanded its business to printers, multifunction devices, semiconductor lithography equipment, and medical equipment. Its headquarters is located in Ota-ku, Tokyo.

Canon’s strengths are its high technological capabilities in optical technology, especially imaging technology, and its wide product portfolio. It has a high share in digital cameras, printers, and multifunction devices and also develops businesses in the medical equipment field.

With imaging technology as its core, it aims to pioneer new business domains and is promoting the strengthening of its medical business and entry into the industrial equipment field. As a precision equipment manufacturer contributing to a wide range of fields with imaging technology, it is promoting multifaceted business development.

HOYA is a company that provides eye care products such as eyeglass lenses and contact lenses, optical lenses, and medical equipment. It has strengths in optical technology and glass technology. Founded in 1941, it started with the manufacture of optical glass and subsequently expanded its business to eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, optical lenses, and medical equipment. Its headquarters is located in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.

HOYA’s strengths are its optical technology, especially glass technology, and its achievements in the eye care field cultivated over many years. It has a high share in eyeglass lenses and contact lenses and also develops businesses in the medical equipment field.

To respond to eye care needs in an aging society, it is promoting the development of high-performance eye care products and is also strengthening its entry into the medical field. As a company contributing to people’s lives with optical and glass technology, it is contributing to the development of the eye care and medical fields.

Konica Minolta is a company that provides multifunction devices, office equipment, and medical equipment. It has strengths in imaging technology and optical technology. It was established in 2003 through the management integration of Konica and Minolta. It provides multifunction devices, office equipment, and medical equipment. Its headquarters is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Konica Minolta’s strengths are its imaging technology, optical technology, and its long track record in the office and medical markets. By providing products to the office and medical markets, it contributes to business efficiency and improving the quality of medical care.

It is focusing on fields such as digital workplaces and healthcare and is strengthening the provision of solutions using technologies such as AI and IoT. As a company contributing to the office and medical fields with imaging technology, it is promoting business development using digital technology.

Keyence is a manufacturer that provides FA (Factory Automation) equipment such as sensors, measuring instruments, and image processing equipment. It boasts high profitability with high-value-added products. Founded in 1974, it develops, manufactures, and sells FA equipment such as sensors, measuring instruments, and image processing equipment. Its headquarters is located in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture.

Keyence’s strengths are its high-value-added products, thorough customer-oriented sales, and short delivery times. By providing FA equipment to a wide range of industries, mainly in the manufacturing industry, it contributes to factory automation and productivity improvement. It is known as a highly profitable company, and its employees’ average annual income is also very high.

To respond to the expansion of the FA market, it is promoting the development of high-performance and high-value-added products and is also actively promoting global expansion. As a highly profitable company supporting the manufacturing industry with FA equipment, it continues to grow with a thorough customer focus.

Yokogawa Electric is a company that provides measuring instruments and control systems. It has strengths in the industrial automation field. Founded in 1915, it started with the manufacture of measuring instruments and subsequently expanded its business to control systems and information systems. Its headquarters is located in Musashino City, Tokyo.

Yokogawa Electric’s strengths are its extensive track record in industrial automation fields such as petrochemicals, electric power, and water treatment, and its advanced measurement and control technology. By providing control systems to plants and factories, it contributes to the stable operation of industrial infrastructure.

In particular, in recent years, it has been strengthening the provision of solutions using technologies such as IoT and AI, aiming to improve its presence in the industrial automation field. Specifically, it is focusing on solutions that optimize the entire plant and anomaly detection systems using AI. As a company supporting social infrastructure with industrial automation, it is contributing to society with advanced technology.

Shimadzu Corporation is a company that provides analytical instruments, measuring instruments, and medical equipment. It has high technological capabilities in the field of scientific measurement. Founded in 1875, it started with the manufacture of scientific instruments and subsequently expanded its business to analytical instruments, measuring instruments, aircraft equipment, and medical equipment. Its headquarters is located in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Shimadzu Corporation’s strengths are its advanced technological capabilities and wide product lineup in analytical instruments such as mass spectrometers and chromatographs. By providing analytical instruments to research institutions, universities, and companies, it is contributing to the development of scientific research and industry. In particular, its mass spectrometers have world-class technology and are widely used in fields such as life science.

In recent years, it has focused on fields such as environmental measurement, life science, and medical imaging, and is promoting the development of high-precision analytical instruments and measuring instruments. As a company supporting science and technology with analytical instruments, it is contributing to society with advanced measurement technology.

Seiko Epson is a company that provides printers, projectors, watches, and industrial robots. It has strengths in precision processing technology and energy-saving technology. Founded in 1942, it started with the manufacture of watches and subsequently expanded its business to printers, projectors, and electronic devices. Its headquarters is located in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture.

Seiko Epson’s strengths are its unique technological capabilities that combine precision processing technology and energy-saving technology cultivated over many years. In particular, it has a high share in inkjet printers and projectors, providing printers for offices and homes, and projectors are used in a wide range of fields such as business, education, and entertainment.

With inkjet technology and energy-saving technology as its core, it aims to pioneer new business domains and is focusing on fields such as industrial robots and wearable devices. As a company contributing to a wide range of fields with precision processing technology and energy-saving technology, it is leading the market with its unique technology.

Ricoh is a company that provides multifunction devices, printers, and digital cameras. It has strengths in products and services for offices. Founded in 1936, it started with the manufacture of scientific instruments and subsequently expanded its business to copiers, printers, and digital cameras. Its headquarters is located in Ota-ku, Tokyo.

Ricoh’s strengths are its high share in multifunction devices and printers for offices and its solution provision capabilities specialized in solving problems in office environments. By providing products and services mainly to the office market, it is contributing to business efficiency.

In recent years, it has been strengthening the provision of cloud services and IT solutions to realize digital workplaces. As a company with strengths in products and services for offices, it is promoting business development using digital technology.

MinebeaMitsumi is a company that provides a wide range of precision components such as bearings, motors, sensors, and electronic devices. It was established in 2017 through the management integration of Minebea, founded in 1951, and Mitsumi Electric, founded in 1946. Its headquarters is located in Miyota Town, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture.

MinebeaMitsumi’s strengths are its precision processing technology and miniaturization technology, which boast the world’s top share in small bearings, and its wide product portfolio expanded through M&A. By providing components to a wide range of fields such as automobiles, home appliances, and information equipment, it is contributing to miniaturization and high performance. In recent years, it has been actively conducting M&A to expand its business domain and is also focusing on the analog semiconductor business.

To respond to IoT and the electrification of automobiles, it is promoting the development of high-precision and high-performance components and is strengthening its business portfolio through M&A. As a company supporting a wide range of industries with diverse precision components, it continues to grow with aggressive business development.

Murata Manufacturing is a manufacturer that provides electronic components such as ceramic capacitors and high-frequency components. It is contributing to the miniaturization and high performance of electronic devices. Founded in 1944, it started with the manufacture of ceramic capacitors and subsequently expanded its business to high-frequency components and sensors. Its headquarters is located in Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Murata Manufacturing’s strengths are its world-leading share in ceramic capacitors and its material technology and process technology. By providing components to a wide range of electronic devices such as smartphones, automobiles, and home appliances, it is contributing to the miniaturization and high performance of electronic devices.

To respond to 5G, IoT, and the electrification of automobiles, it is promoting the development of small and high-performance electronic components. As a company supporting the evolution of electronic devices with electronic components, it is contributing to the information society with advanced technology.

The Japanese precision equipment industry has earned a high global reputation for its advanced technological capabilities and dedication to craftsmanship. It has world-leading companies in diverse fields such as medical care, optics, FA (Factory Automation), semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and precision components. However, in recent years, it has faced many challenges, such as the rise of emerging countries, intensifying global competition, geopolitical risks, a shortage of human resources, the risk of technology outflow, and delays in responding to standardization.

The 20 companies introduced in this article have outstanding technological capabilities and achievements in their respective fields and play an important role in supporting Japanese industry. Each company is aiming for sustainable growth while leveraging its strengths and responding quickly to the rapidly changing market environment.

The following initiatives will be important for the Japanese precision equipment industry to continue to develop in the future:

• Accelerating Technological Innovation: Actively introducing advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, robotics, and material science to improve product functionality and add value. In particular, the fusion of technologies from different fields (e.g., medical equipment and AI, FA equipment and IoT) will be important.
• Strengthening Global Expansion: Accurately grasping the needs of overseas markets, building global supply chains, and accelerating overseas expansion. In addition to entering emerging markets, the development of high-value-added products in developed markets is also important.
• Promoting Open Innovation: Strengthening collaboration with universities, research institutions, and companies in different industries to create new technologies and business models. Collaboration with startup companies should also be actively pursued.
• Strengthening Human Resource Development: Enhancing domestic and international human resource development programs and developing human resources with advanced expertise and a global perspective. In particular, the development of digital human resources in fields such as AI, software, and data science is urgently needed.
• Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience: Preparing for geopolitical risks and natural disasters by diversifying supply chains and strengthening domestic production bases.
• Promoting DX (Digital Transformation): Digitalizing production processes, business processes, and customer service to improve efficiency and add value. It is important to formulate a data utilization strategy and promote data-driven management.
• Responding to Sustainability: Promoting the development of products and services that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as reducing environmental impact and effectively utilizing resources. Management that is conscious of contributing to the SDGs is required.
• Actively Responding to Standardization: Actively participating in international standardization activities and working to ensure that Japanese technology becomes a global standard.

Through these initiatives, the Japanese precision equipment industry is expected to maintain and improve its competitiveness in the global market and greatly contribute to Japan’s economic growth.