Square Enix built the JRPG into a global art form through Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
Startup · Topic
Japan Company Stories — Page 4
Expert guides, analysis and tool comparisons on Japan Company Stories from the kurums.com Startup desk — written for business decision-makers and updated as the market moves.
- 55 guides
- 11 subtopics
- Updated Jul 23, 2026
All guides · page 4
Bandai Namco: The IP Flywheel Behind Gundam and Pac-Man
Bandai Namco masters the IP flywheel, turning franchises like Gundam and Pac-Man into games, toys and anime.
Sega: From Console Wars to Publishing Powerhouse
Sega battled Nintendo in the console wars, then exited hardware to become a publishing powerhouse.
Nintendo: The 130-Year-Old Company That Rules Gaming
Nintendo went from playing cards to gaming’s great survivor through creativity and blue ocean strategy.
Sharp and the Decline of Japanese Consumer Electronics
Sharp pioneered LCDs then fell to Foxconn — a symbol of Japan’s consumer electronics decline.
Renesas: The Chip Giant That Keeps Cars Running
Renesas leads in the automotive microcontrollers that run modern cars — as the chip shortage made clear.
Tokyo Electron: The Hidden Giant of the Chip Industry
Tokyo Electron makes the machines that make chips — a hidden linchpin of the global semiconductor industry.
Panasonic: From Matsushita’s Workshop to EV Batteries
Panasonic evolved from Matsushita’s workshop into a global giant now betting on EV batteries.
Sony: The Reinvention of a Japanese Electronics Icon
Sony reinvented itself from hardware icon to a powerhouse in gaming, image sensors and entertainment.
Subaru: Building a Loyal Brand on Boxer Engines and AWD
Subaru built one of the industry’s most loyal brands on boxer engines, AWD and rally heritage.
Mazda: How a Small Automaker Survives on Distinctiveness
Mazda competes on distinctiveness — the rotary engine, SKYACTIV and the beloved MX-5 Miata.
Nissan, Ghosn and the Alliance That Shook the Auto World
Nissan’s revival, the Ghosn drama and alliance tensions make it the auto industry’s great corporate saga.