This article introduces major advertising / marketing / PR agencies in Japan.
Company | Logo | Revenue | Employee | Market | Type | Related Companies/Services |
Dentsu | JPY 1.3 Trillion (2023) | 71,000 | 145 countries | Full-Service Advertising Agency | Dentsu Group | |
Hakuhodo | JPY 946 Billion (2023) | 30,000+ | 30 countries | Full-Service Advertising Agency | Hakuhodo DY holdings | |
CyberAgent | JPY 720 Billion (2023) | 7,000+ | 7 countries | Digital Agency | AbemaTV (OTT) | |
ADK | 14 countries | |||||
jeki(JR East Marketing & Communications) | JPY 100 Billion(2023) | 1,100+(2024) | Japan Only | House Agency | JR East | |
Tokyu Agency | JPY 94 Billion(2023) | 1,000+(2024) | Japan Only | House Agency | Tokyu, Tokyu Group | |
VECTOR | JPY 59 Billion(2023) | 1,600+ | 9 countries | PR Agency | ||
SEPTENI | JPY 34 Billion(2023) | 1,700+ | 4 countries | Digital Agency | ||
Digital Holdings | JPY 16 Billion(2023) | 1,000+ | 2 countries | Digital Agency | opt | |
Adways | JPY 13 Billion(2023) | 1,100+ | 7 countires | Digital Agency |
Dentsu Inc. – The World’s Largest Single Brand Agency
Dentsu Inc. is a powerhouse in the advertising and public relations industry, not just in Japan, but globally. Headquartered in Tokyo, Dentsu is renowned for its comprehensive service offerings that span across advertising communications (AX), business transformation (BX), customer experience transformation (CX), and marketing infrastructure transformation (DX).
Dentsu (the entire group) is composed of approximately 150 companies in Japan and about 650 companies overseas. Starting from the fiscal year 2023, a new management structure, the “Group Management Team,” has been established, directly overseeing the four business regions: Japan, the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.
“Advertising Expenditures in Japan” began its estimates in 1947 and is published annually. It reports on the four mass media (newspapers, magazines, radio, and television), as well as satellite media, the internet, and promotional media.
https://www.dentsu.co.jp/en/knowledgeanddata/ad_expenditures
Company | Dentsu inc. |
Founded | 1901 |
Revenue | JPY 1.3 Trillion (2023) |
Employee | 71,000 |
Market | 145 countries |
Group Companies | approx. 800 (approx. 150 in Japan, approx. 650 out side of Japan) |
Websites | https://www.dentsu.co.jp/en/ https://www.dentsu.com/ https://www.group.dentsu.com/en/ |
HAKUHODO Inc.
Hakuhodo is one of the oldest advertising agencies in Japan, founded by Hironao Seki in October 1895. Initially, it served as an advertising space broker and wholesale distributor for educational magazines. The company gained prominence in 1910 by securing contracts to place front-page newspaper.
Hakuhodo introduced the concept of “Sei-katsu-sha Insight” in the 1980s, emphasizing a 360-degree perspective on consumers’ lives.
Company | Hakuhodo Inc. |
Established | 1895(October 6) |
Incorporated | 1924(February 11) |
Revenue | JPY 946 Billion (2023) |
Employee | 30,000+ |
Market | 20 countries |
Group Companies | 449 |
Websites | https://www.hakuhodo-global.com/ https://www.hakuhodody-holdings.co.jp/english/ |
CyberAgent, Inc.
CyberAgent, Inc. is a prominent Japanese company specializing in internet-related services.
CyberAgent operates primarily in three key business areas:
Internet Advertising Business
This segment accounts for about half of CyberAgent’s consolidated revenues and holds the largest market share in Japan’s internet advertising market. The company utilizes AI and other advanced technologies to maximize advertising effectiveness.
Media Business
ABEMA: A digital streaming platform offering a variety of content, including live music concerts, sports shows, and animation. It aims to be the “new TV of the future”.
Ameba: A popular blog media website.
Game Business
CyberAgent has been involved in the smartphone gaming market since 2009. The company develops and operates games through subsidiaries like Sumzap and Applibot, continuously producing hit titles.
CyberAgent is not just an advertising agency; it is also actively investing in AI and is one of the leading AI companies in Japan.
Company | CyberAgent, Inc. |
Founded | March 18, 1998 |
Revenue | JPY 720 Billion (2023) |
Employee | 7,000+ |
Market | 7 countries |
Group Companies | – AbemaTV, Inc. (One of the biggest OTT in Japan) – CyberZ, Inc. (Advertising focusing on Smartphone) – Cygames, Inc. https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/en/corporate/group/ |
Websites | https://www.cyberagent.co.jp/en |
ADK
jeki(JR East Marketing & Communications)
Company | JR East Marketing & Communications,Inc. (JR Higashi Nihon Kikaku) |
Founded | May 9, 1988 |
Revenue | 100.7 Billion(in FY2023) |
Employee | 1,155(As of April.2024). |
Market | Mainly Japan(17 branches) |
Group Companies | – jeki interactive communications, inc. – JR East i-Stations, Inc. |
Websites | https://www.jeki.co.jp/ |
Tokyu Agency
Tokyu Agency Inc. is a prominent advertising agency based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1961, it operates as a subsidiary of the Tokyu Group, a major conglomerate in Japan.
Company | Tokyu Agency Inc. |
Founded | 1961 |
Revenue | JPY 94.6 Billion(fiscal 2023 results) |
Employee | 1,064(as of March 31,2024) |
Market | Mainly Japan Partnered with DDB Worldwide Group |
Group Companies | – Tokyu Agency Pro-mix Inc. – Image Studio 109, Inc. – Allatte. Inc. |
Websites | https://www.tokyu-agc.co.jp/eng/ |