Japan has a fast growing economy – and many strong cultural growing issues. Here are five very strong Japan based Public Relations agencies:
Vector Inc.
Founded in 1993 by Keji Nishie, Akasaka based Vector Inc. has 449 employees according to their company overview, and have offices in both Shanghai and Beijing. Founder Keji Nishie made PR Week’s 2014 Power List, and holds a number of positions in various media firms. Vector itself has four main businesses, all geared towards different media channels. In addition to PR, they also focus on digital PR, Facebook marketing, and video production. As explained by Reuters, “The major services of the Company include the development of information and contents matching to the products and services of customers, the creation and delivery of press releases, the distribution of information for media companies, the result collection and report of shows, as well as other PR and marketing consulting services. Through its subsidiaries, the Company is also engaged in the planning and production of television (TV) shows, TV commercial messages (CMs), various promotional video and Web animation, among others, the operation of news Websites and the delivery of news.”
Dentsu Public Relations Inc
Originally founded in 1905 by Hoshiro Mitsunaga, Dentsu had its start in both advertising and telegraphic services. 100 years later Dentsu becomes part of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and purchases Aegis Group PLC for $4.9B. The year before they partnered with Facebook to develop Facebook pages, ads, and their overall marketing strategy. In addition to building a great relationship with one of the most powerful platforms since Google, this Facebook partnership also provides Dentsu with premium advertising space. Dentsu has won numerous awards, including PR WEEK’s Gold and Silver awards in 2015, IPRA Golden World Awards for Excellence, the 2014 Public Relations Society of Japan Awards, WOMMY Awards, and more.
PRAP Japan, Inc
Founded in 1970 by Hisashi Yajima, Tokyo based PRAP Japan operates provides multiple avenues not only for distributing their client’s messages, but also for crafting creatives, videos and more. Comprised of 275 employees, PRAP Japan relies on their 40-year experience in finance, healthcare, IT, and both consumer and public affairs. PRAP’s client lists boasts aerospace giant’s Boeing, and Oglivy PR Worldwide went so far as to acquire one-third stake in the Japanese firm in order to take advantage of PRAP’s position as the second-biggest PR firm behind Dentsu PR. PRAP was also the first Japanese firm to enter China. The firm also has major clients such as British Airways, Levi-Strauss, Nike, Pfizer, Sony and Hitachi.
Kyodo PR
Tokyo based Kyodo PR was founded in 1964 and has 300 employees. One of the fastest growing firms in Japan, Kyodo is also the largest independent listed public relations counseling firm. Founded by Sakae Ohashi, Kyodo PR has about 250 clients on retainer, with 20% of them being multinational businesses. In June Ruder Finn acquired the China business of Kyodo PR as part of an aggressive expansion effort. The new company, RF Kyodo, is intended to leverage Kyodo’s existing clients, which include some of the biggest corporations in Japan.
EDELMAN JAPAN
One of the largest PR companies in the world, Edelman Japan was named the Holmes Report’s 2012 Asia Pacific, 2012 India and 2013 Middle East Consultancy of the Year, and Campaign Asia-Pacific’s 2012 Greater China and 2012 South Asia Public Relations Agency of the Year. Being a multinational PR firm, Edelman provides bilingual staff that are familiar with what will resonate with a Japanese audience, while still providing Japanese clients one of the most experienced issues management teams in the business. Any other firms we missed in Japan? Let us know.
