Japanese Brands and Their Global Subsidiaries

Japan is home to some of the most globally distributed consumer and industrial brands in the world. Toyota and Honda dominate global automotive markets across multiple continents. Sony's entertainment and electronics brands span music, film, gaming, and consumer hardware. Nintendo's gaming franchises are among the most recognized intellectual property in the world. Canon leads global markets in imaging. This is not coincidental -- it reflects a deliberate postwar export strategy, rigorous manufacturing quality culture, and decades of consistent brand investment that sustained Japanese brands through currency volatility, trade disputes, and competitive pressures.

This post maps the major Japanese parent companies and the global subsidiaries and brands they control. For context on the comparable story in Germany, see our post on German brands that dominate global markets.

Toyota Motor Corporation: The World's Largest Automaker

Toyota Motor Corporation (TYO: 7203 / NYSE: TM) is headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. It has been the world's best-selling automaker by volume for most of the past decade, surpassing Volkswagen Group and General Motors. Toyota sold approximately 11.2 million vehicles globally in FY2024.

Toyota's brand portfolio covers multiple market segments:

Toyota is the flagship mass-market brand and the world's best-selling automotive brand. The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling passenger car in the United States for most of the past 25 years. The Corolla is among the best-selling cars globally across all generations.

[Lexus](/brands/lexus) is Toyota's luxury sub-brand, launched in 1989. Lexus entered the US market competing directly with BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class and rapidly established itself as one of the leading luxury automotive brands by volume in the United States. Lexus is sold primarily in North America, Asia, and the Middle East; it is not sold in Japan under the Lexus name (Toyota sells equivalent vehicles under different names there).

Daihatsu is Toyota's kei-car and compact vehicle sub-brand, primarily sold in Asian markets. Toyota holds majority control of Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., which is listed separately on Japanese exchanges.

Hino is Toyota's truck and bus sub-brand. Toyota holds a major stake in Hino Motors.

Toyota also holds a significant stake in Mazda (5.1%) and Subaru (approximately 20%), making it an indirect owner of those brands without full corporate control.

Honda Motor Co.: Automotive and Beyond

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (TYO: 7267 / NYSE: HMC) is headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, and is one of the world's most globally distributed automotive and motorcycle manufacturers. Honda consistently ranks among the world's top five automotive companies by volume.

Honda automobiles cover mass-market sedans, SUVs, and crossovers. The Honda Civic and Honda CR-V are among the best-selling vehicles in their respective segments in the United States and globally.

[Acura](/brands/acura) is Honda's luxury automotive sub-brand, launched in North America in 1986 -- three years before Lexus. Acura was the first Japanese luxury automotive brand introduced to the American market.

Honda Motorcycles is the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume, producing everything from 50cc scooters to large-displacement touring motorcycles. Honda produces approximately 20 million motorcycles and power products annually.

Honda Power Products covers generators, lawnmowers, outboard motors, and industrial engines. Honda small engines are widely used in outdoor power equipment sold under other brand names.

In 2024, Honda and Nissan announced a framework for a potential merger, which would create one of the largest automotive groups in the world. As of early 2026, negotiations are ongoing, with a target completion date of 2026. If completed, the combined entity would manage the Honda, Nissan, Acura, and Infiniti brands under a shared holding structure.

Sony Group Corporation: Entertainment and Electronics

Sony Group Corporation (TYO: 6758 / NYSE: SONY) is headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, with major operations in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Sony generated approximately ¥13.0 trillion (approximately $85 billion at 2024 exchange rates) in FY2024 revenue across its diversified portfolio.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is headquartered in Culver City, California. Sony acquired Columbia Pictures in 1989 for approximately $3.4 billion. Sony Pictures produces films under the Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, and Screen Gems labels, and owns the animation studio Sony Pictures Animation.

Sony Music Entertainment is one of the three major global recorded music companies, alongside Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. Sony Music holds the catalogues of artists including Beyonce, Harry Styles, Adele, and the full back catalogue acquired through its 2019 purchase of the remaining 50% of Sony/ATV Music Publishing (the publishing company that included a significant share of the Beatles catalogue).

[PlayStation](/brands/playstation) is Sony's gaming division and one of the most valuable brands in the video game industry. The PlayStation console line has been in continuous production since 1994. PlayStation 5, released in November 2020, has sold approximately 65 million units globally as of early 2026. Sony Interactive Entertainment owns and publishes first-party titles through studios including Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio, Insomniac Games, and Guerrilla Games.

Sony Electronics produces consumer hardware including televisions (Sony Bravia), professional cameras, headphones, and audio equipment. Sony's Alpha camera system holds a leading position in the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera market.

Sony Financial Group manages insurance and banking operations primarily in Japan.

Nintendo: The Games Empire

Nintendo Co., Ltd. (TYO: 7974) is headquartered in Kyoto and is one of the most recognized entertainment brands globally. Nintendo's core business is gaming hardware and software, but its intellectual property extends across theme parks (Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios parks in Japan, the US, and other markets), merchandise, and film.

Nintendo's major franchises -- Mario, Zelda, Pokemon (partially owned), Donkey Kong, Metroid, Splatoon, and Animal Crossing -- are among the most valuable gaming intellectual properties in the world. The Nintendo Switch console, launched in 2017, has sold approximately 146 million units, making it one of the best-selling gaming consoles of all time.

Nintendo of America, based in Redmond, Washington, and Nintendo of Europe, based in Frankfurt, are wholly owned subsidiaries managing distribution, localization, and marketing in their respective regions.

Canon and the Imaging Category

Canon Inc. (TYO: 7751) is headquartered in Ota, Tokyo, and is the world's largest camera manufacturer by unit sales. Canon's imaging division covers digital cameras, lenses, printers, copiers, and video production equipment. Canon also operates in medical imaging through Canon Medical Systems and in semiconductor manufacturing equipment through its Semiconductor Equipment division.

The Common Thread

Japanese corporate groups typically operate through a keiretsu structure, a network of interlocking business relationships and cross-shareholdings between companies, banks, and suppliers. This model provides stability and long-term orientation -- Japanese companies are often willing to accept lower short-term returns to maintain brand quality and long-term market position. The flip side is that this structure can make it difficult for activist shareholders to push for rapid changes.

The global subsidiaries of Japanese companies are often given significant operational autonomy. Sony Pictures in Los Angeles operates with a largely American management team. Honda of America Manufacturing employs tens of thousands of American workers. This localization is deliberate -- it reduces trade tension and builds domestic political support in key markets.

Japanese Brand Global Summary

FAQ

Is Lexus made by Toyota? Yes. Lexus is a luxury vehicle division of Toyota Motor Corporation. Lexus was launched in 1989 to compete in the US luxury automotive market against European brands. Lexus vehicles are developed and manufactured within Toyota's organization. In Japan, Toyota sells equivalent luxury models under different names through its Toyota Dealer network.

Does Sony own a music company? Yes. Sony Music Entertainment is one of the three major global recorded music companies. Sony has held music publishing and recording assets since the 1988 acquisition of CBS Records. Sony Music's current roster includes artists such as Beyonce, Harry Styles, Adele, and many others, and its catalogue covers a substantial portion of the twentieth-century popular music archive.

Are Nintendo and Sony the same company? No. Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto) and Sony Group Corporation (Tokyo) are entirely separate, independent companies. They are direct competitors in the gaming console market -- Nintendo Switch competes with Sony's PlayStation. Both are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Explore Related Brands

• Lexus - Toyota's luxury automotive sub-brand, launched in the US in 1989
• PlayStation - Sony's gaming platform, one of the best-selling console lines in history
• Acura - Honda's luxury automotive sub-brand, the first Japanese luxury brand in the US market

Browse all brand ownership stories

Sources

1. Toyota Motor Corporation Annual Report FY2024 -- https://investors.toyota.co.jp/ 2. Honda Motor Co. Annual Report FY2024 -- https://global.honda/en/investors/ 3. Sony Group Corporation Annual Report FY2024 -- https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/ 4. Nintendo Co., Ltd. Annual Report FY2024 -- https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/ 5. Honda-Nissan Merger Framework Announcement, December 2024 -- https://global.honda/en/news/ 6. PlayStation 5 Sales Data, Sony Interactive Entertainment FY2024 -- https://www.sie.com/

All brand ownership data verified through WhoBrands.com research methodology. Last updated: April 2026.