Jorudan

Basic Information

Stock Code
3710
Industry
Information and Communications
Category Detail
Internet Site Operations
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
December 1979
Listing Year
April 2003
Official Website
https://www.jorudan.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

Jorudan is an information and communications company founded in 1979, centering on its flagship route guidance software product while deploying internet services and travel business with unique strengths.

Current Situation

Jorudan maintained consolidated sales of approximately 4.3 billion yen in FY2023, securing stable revenue based on its software business including the Transfer Guide series. The flagship Transfer Guide software boasts high market share for mobile devices and PCs, and is adopted in Google Maps route guidance. It also engages in travel business, offering diverse services as an IATA-approved travel agency. For corporate clients, it provides timetable search web services to bus and railway operators, maintaining a broad customer base. In new areas, it focuses on smartphone apps and multimedia content business, advancing technology development and service expansion. Regarding sustainability, it undertakes environmentally conscious efforts in the information and communications field and regional contribution activities while promoting efficiency through digitalization. In the medium to long term, it aims to strengthen the integration of digital markets and mobility-related services for stable growth and establishment of new revenue sources. The management structure, centered on the Representative Director and President, promotes ongoing innovation. While adapting to the competitive industry environment, it pursues revenue diversification through proprietary technologies and a wide range of services.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Company name derives from 19th-century French mathematician Camille Jordan.
  • Transfer Guide software provides data to Google Maps route guidance.
  • Transfer Guide series is a staple app for Japanese rail enthusiasts.
  • Game software development roots trace back to arcade game production.
  • Achieved business diversification by entering travel business as IATA-certified agency.
  • Web services for public transportation are a strength in corporate offerings.
  • Has honed route guidance technology for over 40 years since founding.
  • Multimedia business includes news sites and smartphone apps.
  • Representative Director and President Toshikazu Sato leads management as major shareholder.
  • Also handles media business including planning and sales of theatrical anime DVDs.
  • Provides diverse game software from Game Boy to smartphone apps.
  • Consolidated employee count of approximately 190, with many specialist technicians.
  • Collaborates with numerous regional bus companies to improve transportation convenience.
  • Released latest Transfer Guide with new AI features in 2023.
  • Actively disseminates information via official SNS and YouTube channel.

Hidden Connections

  • Jorudan's Transfer Guide is adopted in Google Maps route guidance technology.
  • Services for railway and bus operators closely collaborate with numerous public transportation entities nationwide.
  • Game software development history influences UI design in route guidance, etc.
  • Operates travel business compliant with international standards as IATA-certified agency.
  • Major shareholder Toshikazu Sato has led management since founding with high shareholding ratio.
  • Utilizes transportation user data in digital advertising for efficient ad deployment.
  • Leveraging know-how from mobile content and game development to pioneer new businesses.
  • Involved in building disaster prevention information systems through local Shinjuku-ku collaboration.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increased demand for digital services from mobile device proliferation
  • Expansion of corporate services through DX in public transportation
  • Advanced optimal route guidance using AI and big data
  • Impact from tourism recovery and gradual resurgence in travel demand
  • Demand for transportation collaboration systems like smart city initiatives
  • Growth in new mobile content and multimedia business
  • Customer base expansion and synergy creation with partners
  • Improved revenue through digitalization and efficiency in ad delivery
  • New market development through IoT-linked services
  • Building integrated service platforms

Strategic Goals

  • Maintain over 70% domestic share in Transfer Guide series
  • Maximize service accuracy and user satisfaction through AI utilization
  • Expand BtoB business sales to 50% of total
  • Strengthen sustainability across all corporate activities
  • Aggressive investment in smart mobility technologies
  • Promote transportation convenience improvement projects with local communities
  • Exceed 1 billion yen in annual digital advertising sales
  • Launch phased overseas market entry as new business
  • Improve diverse work styles and female manager ratio
  • Target 100 million users for digital platform

Business Segments

Services for railway and bus operators

Overview
Provides transfer guidance and operation support web services to public transportation operators.
Competitiveness
Rich operation data integration and customization capabilities
Customers
  • Iwate Kotsu
  • Omi Tetsudo Bus
  • Keihan Bus
  • Hankyu Bus
  • Hanshin Bus
  • Kintetsu Bus
  • Nankai Rinkan Bus
  • Zenbutsu Bus
  • Ryobi Holdings
  • Fukuoka City Subway
Products
  • MovEasy Timetable and Fare Search Web Service
  • Operation Management Support System
  • Passenger Route Guidance Tool

Travel agency services

Overview
Handles a variety of domestic and international travel products as an IATA-certified travel agency.
Competitiveness
Enhanced convenience through collaboration with diverse partners
Customers
  • Individual travelers
  • Corporate customers
  • Domestic travel companies
  • Overseas travel companies
Products
  • International air ticket sales
  • Accommodation reservation service (Tonight's Stay)
  • Travel coupon issuance

Digital content provision

Overview
Plans and provides diverse digital content for corporations.
Competitiveness
Expertise in operating specialized information sites
Customers
  • Media companies
  • Advertising agencies
  • Smartphone app operators
  • Educational institutions
Products
  • News distribution platform
  • Smartphone apps
  • Electronic book content

Software development and sales

Overview
Offers package software and custom development to support business efficiency.
Competitiveness
Strengths in mobility and logistics fields
Customers
  • Retail businesses
  • Logistics companies
  • Government agencies
  • Small and medium enterprises
Products
  • Package software
  • Custom app development
  • Operation information systems

Advertising business

Overview
Deploys advertising services via transportation ads and digital media.
Competitiveness
Effective utilization of transportation user data
Customers
  • Advertisers
  • Transportation operators
  • Media companies
Products
  • Transportation advertising delivery service
  • Digital advertising planning and execution

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • High brand recognition of route guidance software
  • Abundant accumulation of transportation data and analysis expertise
  • Versatile mobile platform compatibility
  • Composite business in travel and software development
  • Reliability as an IATA-certified agency
  • Customizable BtoB services
  • Stable customer base and partnership network
  • Continuous updates to products and services
  • Strong provision of diverse digital content
  • Convenient location with head office in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  • Experienced management team and technical staff
  • Flexible response system to customer needs
  • Extensive track record with public transportation operators
  • Relationships built with major customers across multiple industries
  • Effective expansion in digital advertising

Competitive Advantages

  • Technological prowess adopted in Google Maps route guidance
  • High user satisfaction with Transfer Guide app
  • Extensive collaboration network with railway and bus operators
  • Credibility from IATA-certified travel agency operations
  • Market penetration through multi-platform support
  • Service creation leveraging rich operation and transportation data
  • Revenue base stabilization through diversified businesses
  • Reliable customer support system
  • Planning capabilities for innovative mobile content
  • Expertise in industry-specific software development
  • Competitive edge gained through continuous technology investments
  • Strong customer support in region-specific services
  • Established efficient advertising delivery and monetization models
  • Deep relationships with corporate clients
  • Service scalability through advanced data integration technology

Threats

  • Intense market competition with major rivals
  • Risk of product obsolescence due to rapid technological changes
  • Decline in demand from reduced public transportation usage
  • Potential intensification of price competition from new entrants
  • Impact of strengthened personal data protection regulations
  • Decrease in advertising revenue due to economic fluctuations
  • Instability in travel industry due to political and social conditions
  • Risks from high platform dependency
  • Business disruptions from natural disasters or pandemics
  • Risk of service outages from system failures
  • Challenges in talent acquisition, retention, and technology succession
  • Rise of overseas competing services

Innovations

2024: Enhanced route proposal function using AI

Overview
Introduced AI technology to propose optimal routes suited to user needs.
Impact
Improved user satisfaction and increased usage frequency

2023: Renewal of corporate operation management system

Overview
Significantly upgraded MovEasy platform to improve operation efficiency.
Impact
Enhanced customer satisfaction and expanded contracts

2022: Multi-functionalization of smartphone apps

Overview
Strengthened reading and news delivery apps to develop new user segments.
Impact
Expanded sales in mobile content business

2021: Introduction of cloud reservation system in travel business

Overview
Improved reservation operations efficiency for cost reduction and customer convenience.
Impact
Increased reservations and improved customer satisfaction

2020: Complete overhaul of web service UI/UX

Overview
Refreshed design to enhance usability from user perspective.
Impact
Extended usage time and increased repeat rate

Sustainability

  • Reducing environmental impact by promoting paperless operations digitally
  • Reducing CO2 emissions through employee telework promotion
  • Regional collaboration for information sharing support activities
  • Providing energy-saving operation support systems to transportation operators
  • Efforts toward introducing sustainable IT infrastructure
  • Social contribution through programming education support
  • Eco-conscious data center operations
  • High-level security for customer data management
  • Introduction of CSR reporting system and strengthened compliance
  • Promoting female manager appointments for diversity
  • Promoting in-house energy saving and recycling activities
  • Supporting regional revitalization through sponsorship of local events