Zenrin

Basic Information

Stock Code
9474
Industry
Information and Communications
Category Detail
Mass Media
Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture
Establishment Year
April 1961
Listing Year
September 1994
Official Website
https://www.zenrin.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Other Companies
Part-time Times, KG Information, WNI Weather, Nishikawa Rubber, Starts Publishing, Chiyoda, AlphaPolis, Shobunsha Holdings, SE Holdings and Incubations, Impress Holdings

Overview

Zenrin is the leading company in Japan's map information industry, founded in 1961, with strengths in creating and providing residential maps and high-precision digital maps.

Current Situation

Zenrin recorded consolidated sales of approximately ¥64.4 billion, operating profit of approximately ¥3.9 billion, and net profit of approximately ¥2.6 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2025, maintaining steady earnings. It is the only company in the industry to offer nationwide residential maps, with stable operations centered on supplying data to local governments and private companies. Its high-precision map data is highly valued as the foundation for car navigation and autonomous driving technologies, and it is conducting joint research with companies such as Mitsubishi Electric and Nissan Motor. It is also developing drone maps and 3D maps, expanding a variety of consumer products and BtoB solutions. In the 2020s, it is accelerating digitalization and AI technology adoption, focusing on regional contributions and disaster support. It is also working on sustainable map production and expanding its lifestyle goods business, advancing growth strategies toward 2030.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Zenrin is the only company providing residential maps nationwide.
  • The company name is based on the founder's philosophy 'Zenrin Yuko,' embodying wishes for peace.
  • Provided map data for the world's first GPS-equipped car navigation system.
  • High technological capability in providing 3D maps of major Japanese cities for game production.
  • Approx. 1,000 survey staff update map information on foot every year.
  • Zenrin Museum is a corporate museum for promoting map culture.
  • Joint public-private development of drone flight support map 'SORAPASS.'
  • Residential map information is essential for fire and emergency command systems.
  • Collaborating with numerous major companies on high-precision maps for autonomous driving.
  • 'mati mati' lifestyle goods feature map designs usable as interior decor.
  • Founder's descendants operate an industrial athletics track and field team.
  • Zenrin's map accuracy was re-evaluated after issues with Apple Maps.
  • Headquarters and museum located in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, as a regionally rooted company.
  • Appears as a residential map production company model in the game 'Momotaro Dentetsu.'
  • Racehorse 'Zenno Rob Roy' is known by the founder's family name.

Hidden Connections

  • Toyota Motor is a major shareholder and closely collaborates in autonomous driving.
  • Joint development of world's first GPS car navigation with Mitsubishi Electric in 1990.
  • Industry-academia collaboration with Otsuma Women's University students on map-patterned stationery.
  • Sponsor for TV programs such as TV Tokyo's 'Cambria Palace.'
  • Sponsor for Kitakyushu professional soccer team 'Giravanz Kitakyushu.'
  • Began providing map data at the launch of Google Maps Japan service.
  • Joint research with NVIDIA on AI-utilizing high-precision HD map development.
  • Corporate museum collecting historical map production materials is rare in Japan.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for high-precision maps for autonomous driving technologies
  • Demand for flight support services accompanying drone market expansion
  • Map utilization in smart cities and public infrastructure development
  • Increasing demand for 3D maps in gaming and video fields
  • New market development in lifestyle goods and design fields
  • Increasing corporate demand for data cloud services
  • Map update efficiency improvement via AI and big data
  • Expansion of map solutions for environment and disaster prevention
  • Increasing demand from local government digitalization initiatives
  • Strengthened map data provision and expansion into overseas markets
  • Growth in multi-device compatible map services
  • Customer base expansion through strengthened regionally rooted services

Strategic Goals

  • Expand share in high-precision autonomous driving maps domestically and internationally
  • Become top entrant in drone flight support market
  • 15% annual growth in 3D map utilization for BIM and games
  • Establish business operations aiming for zero environmental impact
  • Achieve over 90% continuous usage rate through improved customer satisfaction
  • 50% sales increase through diverse digital map products
  • Capture youth market with new lifestyle goods brands
  • Improve AI-based automated map update rate to over 80%
  • Nationwide rollout of package products for local governments
  • Secure talent through promotion of diversity and work-style reforms

Business Segments

Map Data for Government and Local Authorities

Overview
Provides high-precision map data to support various government operations.
Competitiveness
Accurate map information from nationwide detailed on-site surveys
Customers
  • Local governments nationwide
  • Fire and emergency command centers
  • Infrastructure managers
  • Disaster prevention organizations
Products
  • Residential map data
  • Disaster prevention maps
  • Municipal information maps
  • Infrastructure mapping

Navigation and ADAS Map Data for Automotive Industry

Overview
Provides high-precision map data for car navigation updates and autonomous driving.
Competitiveness
Domestic largest-scale high-precision 3D map development capabilities
Customers
  • Automakers
  • Car navigation manufacturers
  • ADAS development companies
  • Autonomous driving-related companies
Products
  • Car navigation maps
  • High-precision 3D maps
  • ADAS-compatible map data

Map Provision for Mobile and Web Services

Overview
Provides map data for mobile phones and web services.
Competitiveness
Pioneer in mobile vector map delivery
Customers
  • Mobile carriers
  • Web map services
  • App developers
Products
  • Vector format map data
  • GPS-linked map services
  • API provision

Map Services for Drone-Related Businesses

Overview
Provides maps to support safe drone flight operations.
Competitiveness
Map technology specialized for drone flight safety
Customers
  • Drone operators
  • Aerial photography companies
  • Agricultural drone manufacturers
Products
  • No-fly zone data
  • 3D flight support maps
  • Flight route management services

3D Map Data for Games and Entertainment

Overview
Provides realistic urban 3D data for games and videos.
Competitiveness
Detailed 3D building models of major cities
Customers
  • Game development companies
  • Video production companies
Products
  • Major city 3D model data
  • Unity 3D assets

Map Marketing for Commercial Facilities and Retail

Overview
Provides maps for marketing support such as trade area analysis.
Competitiveness
Analysis based on highly accurate residential area surveys
Customers
  • Commercial facilities
  • Retailers
  • Logistics companies
Products
  • Trade area analysis maps
  • Sales promotion maps
  • Data analysis services

Design Provision for Lifestyle Goods Manufacturers and Planners

Overview
Supports product planning utilizing map designs.
Competitiveness
Proven track record in utilizing map data for designs
Customers
  • Stationery manufacturers
  • Apparel brands
Products
  • Map-patterned stationery design provision
  • Collaboration product planning support

Content Provision for Publishing and Media

Overview
Provides map-related publications and map materials for programs.
Competitiveness
Long-cultivated map creation and editing technology
Customers
  • Book publishers
  • Magazines
  • Broadcasters
Products
  • Map-related publications
  • Program map content

Survey and Measurement Support for Infrastructure and Public Works

Overview
Provides detailed surveys and GIS necessary for infrastructure development.
Competitiveness
On-site survey accuracy and multi-layer attribute data holdings
Customers
  • Construction companies
  • Public works agencies
Products
  • Geographic Information System (GIS) packages
  • Measurement data provision

Map Teaching Materials and Resources for Educational Institutions

Overview
Provides map teaching materials and resources for educational settings.
Competitiveness
Holdings of domestic and international historical map collections
Customers
  • Schools
  • Research institutions
  • Libraries
Products
  • Map teaching materials
  • Historical map resources

Marketing Support for Real Estate Industry

Overview
Provides map information services necessary for real estate sales and management.
Competitiveness
Detailed attributes of residential maps and wide-area coverage
Customers
  • Real estate companies
  • Delivery services
Products
  • Residential map data
  • Area analysis reports

Delivery Support Maps for Logistics Industry

Overview
Provides map data and updates useful for efficient delivery.
Competitiveness
Detailed residential maps and real-time updatability
Customers
  • Delivery services
  • Logistics companies
Products
  • Delivery route optimization maps
  • Map update services

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Industry-leading residential map deployment
  • High-precision on-site survey network with approx. 1,000 attribute layers
  • Advanced technology in 3D map development for autonomous driving
  • Map data supply to a wide range of customer segments
  • Accurate map production based on years of know-how
  • Technology co-development through strong partnerships
  • Diverse map media and product lineup
  • Regional sales channel deployment
  • Comprehensive digital map delivery services
  • Expansion of stereo/3D maps into gaming industry
  • Continuous growth investments and technological innovation
  • Promotion of map culture through specialized museums
  • Disaster response systems and regional contribution track record
  • Diversified product expansion in lifestyle goods
  • High brand recognition and reliability

Competitive Advantages

  • Only company covering residential maps in all 47 prefectures nationwide
  • Autonomous driving technology support through joint research with Mitsubishi Electric, Nissan, etc.
  • Detailed and accurate map information via approx. 1,000 attribute layers
  • Quality maintenance through fusion of traditional on-site surveys and IT technology
  • Corporate customer base for dedicated cloud service 'ZNET TOWN'
  • Early development of drone flight support map services
  • Multi-purpose map design expansion with lifestyle goods brand 'mati mati'
  • Stable revenue base from broad BtoB and BtoC businesses
  • Application of advanced 3D map data in gaming and architecture
  • Funding capabilities as a Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime-listed company
  • Massive geographic information database accumulated over years
  • Rapid grasp of regional information through enriched local bases
  • Track record of service provision to diverse public and private industries
  • Ongoing ¥40 billion-scale growth investments
  • Collaboration with major domestic and international companies using high-precision 3D maps

Threats

  • Market pressure from advancing competitor digital mapping technologies
  • Intensified competition from entry by giant IT firms like Google
  • Risks from rapid changes in autonomous driving technologies
  • Impacts from geopolitical risks and regulatory changes
  • Intensified enclosure competition in new business areas
  • Price competition from rapid expansion of smartphone app market
  • Business impacts from infrastructure damage during disasters
  • Potential decline in residential map demand due to changing consumer preferences
  • Difficulty maintaining on-site survey operations due to labor shortages
  • Economic uncertainty from novel coronavirus, etc.
  • Constraints from strengthened privacy protection for map data
  • Intensified competition for technology talent

Innovations

2025: Advancement of High-Precision Maps for Autonomous Driving

Overview
Joint development of Level 3-compatible high-precision maps with Nissan and Mobileye.
Impact
Strengthening the foundation for autonomous driving technology adoption

2024: Expansion of Lifestyle Goods Series 'mati mati'

Overview
Expansion of sundries lineup utilizing map designs.
Impact
Brand diversification and new customer acquisition

2023: Function Expansion of Drone Flight Support Service 'SORAPASS'

Overview
Introduced safe flight route proposal function in addition to no-fly zone display.
Impact
Improved competitiveness in drone market

2022: Renewal of Cloud-Based Residential Map Service 'ZNET TOWN'

Overview
Added GIS functions for corporate users and improved usage environment.
Impact
Improved corporate customer satisfaction and market expansion

2021: Launch of 3D Map Data Unity Assets

Overview
Began delivery of 3D urban models for game engines.
Impact
New customer acquisition in gaming and video fields

2020: Improvement of High-Precision Vector Map Delivery Technology

Overview
Achieved high-speed vector display technology for mobile devices.
Impact
Improved operability of smartphone map apps

2025: Development of AI-Based Automated Map Update Technology

Overview
Promoting automation of on-site survey data analysis using artificial intelligence.
Impact
Improved survey efficiency and cost reduction

2023: Enhanced BIM Integration for High-Precision 3D Maps

Overview
Expanded BIM integration functions for architecture and urban planning.
Impact
Promotion of map utilization in new industrial fields

2022: Launch of Multilingual Map Service for Smartphones

Overview
Implemented multi-language support including English for foreign visitors to Japan.
Impact
Capture of inbound demand

2021: Enhanced Security for Cloud-Delivered Maps

Overview
Completed introduction of latest encryption technology for customer data protection.
Impact
Improved reliability for corporate customers

Sustainability

  • Significant reduction in paper usage through digitalization
  • Free provision of residential maps for regional disaster support
  • Strengthened in-house energy-saving and recycling activities
  • Museum operations for regional cultural promotion
  • Promotion of employee health and work-style reforms
  • Promotion of EV adoption for transportation in map surveys
  • Data center operations considering reduced environmental impact
  • Promotion of women's empowerment and diversity
  • R&D for sustainable geographic information systems
  • Strengthened early recovery support systems for disasters
  • Enhanced privacy protection for map data
  • Ongoing implementation of community-contribution CSR activities