Corporate News
uSonar Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Nami Fukutomi; President: Katsuhito Nagatake; hereinafter "uSonar"), which maintains LBC, Japan's largest* corporate database, has launched the "Microcosm of Japanese Companies (≒ Japanese Economy)" statistical analysis information service. We are announcing six report examples.
*Largest in Japan for data on the number of headquarters and business locations (based on our own research as of July 16, 2024)
Background of the "Microcosm of Japanese Companies (≒ Japanese Economy)" Reports
uSonar maintains LBC, one of Japan's largest corporate databases, covering 8.2 million business locations. LBC structures data for nearly all business locations, from large enterprises to small and medium-sized businesses and individual shops.
Furthermore, it links a wide variety of attribute information, including basic data such as addresses, phone numbers, executives, industry types, number of employees, and capital.
The sources are primarily public information such as securities reports, official gazettes, corporate registries, and government announcements. LBC is currently used by sales, marketing, and market analysis departments of companies promoting "data-driven management" and "data utilization."
The "Microcosm of Japanese Companies (≒ Japanese Economy)" reports utilize this corporate data as the source for our statistical analysis information service.
Detailed Analysis Report
Below, we present the first series of reports (summary versions) that have been prepared.
1: Ranking of Prefectures with the Highest Number of Certified Health & Productivity Management Organizations 2024 
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Population Data |
LBC head office data with corporate numbers for active, non-bankrupt corporations as of May 2024 Approximately 452 ten thousand companies (the same applies to the reports below) |
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Characteristics of Population Data |
LBC covers information on almost all companies and corporations across Japan, which is utilized as the population data. For this analysis, we limited the scope to active, non-bankrupt corporations that possess a corporate number and have completed corporate registration (the same applies to the reports below). |
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Analysis Target Data |
Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization 2024 Certified Company List (approx. 20,000 companies) |
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Data Sources for Analysis |
Data published on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) website |
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Analysis and Aggregation Methodology |
LBC headquarters data was categorized by prefecture to establish the population for each region. Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations data was also categorized by prefecture. The ratio for each prefecture was calculated, and a ranking was created and mapped based on the highest percentages. |
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Insights and Evaluations Obtained |
The purpose of this corporate certification system by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is to visualize corporations, including large enterprises and SMEs, that practice excellent health and productivity management, enabling them to be evaluated by employees, job seekers, affiliated companies, and financial institutions. Established in fiscal year 2016. As interest grows among companies, we created a prefecture map to identify which regions are most proactive in obtaining certification. Yamagata, Shimane, Aichi, Okayama, and Nagano ranked at the top. This trend was also confirmed in the materials on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website. |
2: Ranking of Prefectures with the Highest Number of Companies with December Fiscal Year-Ends
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Data Subject to Analysis |
December Fiscal Year-End Companies Story (Approx. 125,000 Companies) |
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Data Sources for Analysis |
Securities Reports and Other Sources |
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Analytical Aggregation Methodology |
Classify LBC headquarters data by prefecture to establish the population for each prefecture. Classify December fiscal year-end companies by prefecture. Calculate the ratio for each prefecture, rank them in descending order, and visualize the data on a map. |
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Insights and Evaluations Obtained |
The results indicate a high concentration of these companies, particularly in the Tohoku and Sea of Japan coastal regions. |
3: Ranking of Prefectures with the Highest Number of Companies Holding 1 to 5 Patents
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Data Analyzed |
Story of "Companies Holding 1 to 5 Patents" (Approx. 32,000 Companies) |
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Data Sources |
Japan Patent Office Website Data |
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Analysis Methodology |
LBC headquarters data was categorized by prefecture to establish the population for each region. Companies holding 1 to 5 patents were categorized by prefecture. The ratio for each prefecture was calculated, and a ranking was created and mapped based on the highest percentages. |
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Insights and Evaluations Obtained |
It can be observed that the proportion is higher in companies based in the Chubu and Hokuriku regions, as well as in Tokyo.
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4: Ranking of Prefectures with a High Number of Companies Led by Female Presidents 
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Analysis Data |
Story of "Companies Led by Female Presidents" *Approximately 657,000 companies |
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Analysis Data Source |
Extracted using proprietary logic |
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Analysis and Aggregation Methodology |
LBC headquarters data was categorized by prefecture to establish the population for each prefecture. Companies identified as being led by female presidents were also categorized by prefecture. The proportion for each prefecture was calculated, and a ranking was created and mapped based on the highest percentages. |
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Insights and Evaluations Obtained |
A high trend is observed in areas with major metropolitan centers, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Kansai, and Northern Kyushu. However, the extraction logic is based on our company's definition, and further examination will be conducted. |
5: Ranking of Prefectures with a High Number of Likely Family-Owned Businesses 
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Data Subject to Analysis |
Story of "Likely Family-Owned Businesses" *Approximately 160,000 companies |
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Data Sources for Analysis |
Extraction via Proprietary Logic |
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Analysis and Aggregation Methodology |
LBC headquarters data is categorized by prefecture to establish the population for each prefecture. "Likely family-owned businesses" are also categorized by prefecture. Calculate the percentage by prefecture, rank them in descending order, and visualize the data on a map. |
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Insights and Evaluations Obtained |
A trend of higher percentages was observed in the Tohoku and Sea of Japan regions.
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6: Research Report on the Newly Developed Corporate Dissolution Score
We have calculated our proprietary Corporate Dissolution Score by analyzing the characteristic trends of our 4.52 million corporate data records, incorporating over 100 different data indicators, including data on dissolved and bankrupt entities. We have assigned ratings in eight levels from A to H based on the score (details of the calculation logic are not disclosed as it is currently under development and experimental testing).
Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between various corporate attributes and the Corporate Dissolution Score.
As a result, we identified corporate attributes that frequently appear in the top-tier A–B ratings and those that frequently appear in the bottom-tier G–H ratings.
For example, it was found that companies with the attribute of being a Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization are included in the A–B category of the Corporate Dissolution Score with a 97% probability.
Additionally, it was found that companies with the attribute of having a trendy cafe in the same building are included in the G–H category of the Corporate Dissolution Score with a 13% probability.
Note that these individual corporate attributes do not act exclusively within the Corporate Dissolution Score; the score itself is a comprehensive metric derived from various data points. The Corporate Dissolution Score is currently in the experimental stage, and we will continue to refine its accuracy.
Notes on Citing the Report
• Please include the following credit when citing:
Source: "Microcosm of Japanese Companies Report" provided by uSonar Co., Ltd.
• Please include a link to the cited report below the source credit.
• If you notify us of your publication, we may feature it on our website or official social media channels.
Overview of the "Microcosm of Japanese Companies (i.e., Japanese Economy) Report"
• Publication Frequency of Periodic Reports
Depending on the theme, press releases will be issued every six months or annually (scheduled for January and July).
• Provision of Individual Custom Reports (for Media)
In addition to periodically published reports, we also create "Individual Custom Reports" based on requests from the media.
Reports that have been published in the media may be distributed by our company to interested parties upon request.
Application Guidelines for Custom Reports
Please contact us via the email address for the "Microcosm of Japanese Companies Report" (ir@usonar.co.jp).
Upon receipt of your inquiry, our representative will contact you.
• Please note that we may be unable to fulfill certain requests depending on the content.
• This service is limited to provision (broadcast or publication) for media organizations, including television, newspapers, magazines, and web media.
• When publishing in media, please credit the source as "Provided by uSonar Co., Ltd. - Microcosm of Japanese Companies Report".
Public Relations, uSonar Co., Ltd. (Hiyama / Sawada)
Email: ir@usonar.co.jp
Phone: 03-5388-5300
