Forbes JAPAN
Forbes JAPAN is the Japanese-licensed edition of Forbes, operated by linkties Co., Ltd., publishing a business and lifestyle media franchise across digital, print magazine, award programs, events, and a BrandVoice sponsored-content channel for Japanese executives, entrepreneurs, and the startup ecosystem.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMinato, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Forbes JAPAN does
Forbes JAPAN is the Japanese-language edition of the global Forbes brand, operated by linkties Co., Ltd. under license from Forbes.com LLC and headquartered in Tokyo. The company publishes a multi-format business and lifestyle media franchise anchored by forbesjapan.com and a monthly print and digital magazine, with the first special issue (WORK MILL) launched in September 2017. Editorial coverage spans 11+ categories including business, startups, technology, science, economics, investing, career, lifestyle, and entertainment, plus localized Forbes Global content from France, Italy, and India.
The core product is a content management and digital publishing platform that delivers articles, multimedia, and subscription services to registered members and paid subscribers, with features including article bookmarking, author following, personalized dashboards via My Page, and OAuth-based login (Google, Facebook, Fujisan.co.jp). The company also operates dedicated sub-platforms such as Forbes JAPAN CAREER, a recurring slate of award programs (30 UNDER 30, WOMAN AWARD, SMALL GIANTS AWARD, RISING STAR, CIO AWARD, Healthcare Creation Award), an exclusive SALON member networking series, and flagship conferences (CEO Conference, AI Summit, DX Summit).
Monetization runs through four streams: subscription revenue (monthly and annual digital/print tiers plus a freemium tier), display advertising, a BrandVoice sponsored-content program whose recurring sponsors include Microsoft, NEC, Pacific Consultants Group, SMBC, HPE, American Express, PwC, and MUFG, and event/professional services revenue. Distribution combines the proprietary digital platform with Amazon Japan and Fujisan.co.jp for print sales, retail bookstore and convenience-store channels, and active social presence on Facebook, X, Instagram, LINE, and YouTube. The customer base is dominated by Japanese business professionals, executives, and the startup/VC ecosystem, with secondary audiences in career-focused and lifestyle segments.
Forbes JAPAN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forbes JAPAN
- Legal name
- linkties Co., Ltd. (リンクタイズ株式会社)
- Website
- https://forbesjapan.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Forbes JAPAN is the Japanese-licensed edition of Forbes, operated by linkties Co., Ltd., publishing a business and lifestyle media franchise across digital, print magazine, award programs, events, and a BrandVoice sponsored-content channel for Japanese executives, entrepreneurs, and the startup ecosystem.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forbes JAPAN industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Media and Digital Publishing
- NAICS
- Newspaper Publishers (51311), Newspaper Publishers (513110), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)
- SIC
- Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- National & General-Interest Newspapers (Print & Digital) (MPAJADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Consumer Lifestyle & Fashion Magazines (MPAJAEAA)
Keywords
Where Forbes JAPAN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minato
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Forbes JAPAN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Subscription Revenue: Paid subscriptions for magazine and digital content access including full article archive and exclusive features. Regular subscription (定期購読) available for both print and digital editions.
- Advertising: Display advertising and sponsored content placements on the digital platform and magazine.
- BrandVoice / Sponsored Content: Branded content partnerships where companies publish marketing content under the Forbes JAPAN BrandVoice program. Featured sponsors include Microsoft, NEC, Pacific Consultants Group, SMBC, HPE, American Express, PwC, MUFG, and others.
- Event Revenue: Revenue from hosted events including conferences, summits, and award ceremonies. Events include AI Summit, DX Summit, CEO Conference, and various award programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free membership with basic access |
| Subscription | Annual | Full subscription with unlimited access |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Single issue magazine purchase |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Forbes JAPAN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forbes JAPAN is the Japanese edition of the global Forbes brand, operating a digital publishing platform (forbesjapan.com) and a monthly print/digital magazine that delivers business, technology, startup, science, economics, investing, career, and lifestyle journalism to Japanese readers. The company also runs exclusive award programs (30 UNDER 30, WOMAN AWARD, SMALL GIANTS AWARD, RISING STAR), hosts conferences and networking events, and offers a BrandVoice sponsored content program for corporate advertisers.
Product overview
Forbes JAPAN is a Japanese-language business and lifestyle media brand licensed from Forbes.com LLC and operated by linkties Co., Ltd. Its core product is the forbesjapan.com digital publication, delivering articles across categories including business, technology, startups, science, economics, investing, career, lifestyle, and entertainment. The publication operates a subscription-based model offering free article access for registered members and unlimited access for paid subscribers. Forbes JAPAN also publishes a monthly print and digital magazine (with special issues such as WORK MILL on workplace innovation and NEXT GX STREAM on green transformation), organizes awards programs (30 UNDER 30, WOMAN AWARD, SMALL GIANTS AWARD, RISING STAR), hosts events and SALON gatherings, runs a dedicated career sub-platform (career.forbesjapan.com), and offers a BrandVoice sponsored content program. Membership features include article bookmarking, author following, and personalized dashboards via My Page.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 30 UNDER 30: Award program recognizing 30 exceptional individuals under 30 years old in Japan who are driving change across various sectors.
- WOMEN AWARD
- SMALL GIANTS AWARD
- RISING STAR
- Forbes JAPAN SALON
- WORK MILL
Companies that use Forbes JAPAN
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Forbes JAPAN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Forbes JAPAN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Forbes Global (Forbes.com LLC)coreLicensing and branding partnership with Forbes Media for the Japanese edition of the magazine and website. Under license from Forbes.com LLC for use of Forbes brand and content.
- linkties Co., Ltd.coreOperating company for Forbes JAPAN brand. linkties Co., Ltd. operates the Forbes JAPAN website and related services.
- Japan Venture Capital Association (JVCA)flagshipCooperation partnership for 'Japan's Venture Capitalist of the Year' ranking program modeled after Forbes' Midas List.
- Fujisan.co.jpminorMagazine subscription service distribution partner for Forbes JAPAN magazine sales and delivery.
- Amazon JapanminorRetail distribution partner for Forbes JAPAN magazine and special issue sales through Amazon marketplace.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Forbes JAPAN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Financial Times: Global business news brand competing for Japanese executive readers and international advertisers. Overlaps with Forbes JAPAN on global business, leadership, and entrepreneurship content for premium subscribers.
- DIAMOND Online: Long-running Japanese business digital publisher (Diamond Inc.). Competes in business news, management content, and executive education with established subscription and event revenue.
- Nikkei (Nikkei Inc.): Japan's dominant business newspaper and digital platform. Competes for the same C-suite and business-professional audience with much broader scale, bundled subscription products, and stronger domestic news-gathering infrastructure.
- Toyo Keizai: Long-established Japanese business weekly and digital publisher. Competes in business news, rankings (e.g., corporate rankings), and lifestyle-adjacent executive content for the Japanese executive audience.
Emerging players
- WIRED Japan: Japanese edition of WIRED covering technology, science, and culture. Overlaps with Forbes JAPAN's technology and science categories and competes for the same premium tech-savvy advertiser and reader base.
- PIVOT (Podcast/Media): Japan-focused business and tech media brand (podcast/video-led). Competes for attention and advertising from the same Japanese executive and entrepreneur segments with a more digital-native distribution model.
Direct peers
- Harvard Business Review Japan (DIAMOND): Japanese edition of HBR published by Diamond Inc. Direct competitor in the executive-management and leadership content category, with overlapping subscription models and event/seminar revenue.
- Forbes (US/Global): The original Forbes brand operated by Forbes.com LLC. Direct peer as the licensor and global flagship of the same editorial franchise, with overlapping content categories (business, investing, entrepreneurship, lifestyle) and shared awards (30 Under 30, Midas List).
- Newsweek Japan: Japanese edition of the global Newsweek brand, covering business, politics, and lifestyle. Comparable as a foreign-licensed Japanese-language news magazine with digital subscription and event extensions.
- Bloomberg Businessweek Japan / Bloomberg.jp: Bloomberg's Japanese-language business news platform. Direct competitor for executive readership, advertising dollars, and business intelligence content in Japan, with overlapping coverage of markets, technology, and leadership.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Forbes JAPAN social profiles
Digital presenceForbes JAPAN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forbes JAPAN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Forbes JAPAN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forbes JAPAN M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forbes JAPAN
What does Forbes JAPAN do?
Forbes JAPAN is the Japanese edition of the global Forbes brand, operating a digital publishing platform (forbesjapan.com) and a monthly print/digital magazine that delivers business, technology, startup, science, economics, investing, career, and lifestyle journalism to Japanese readers. The company also runs exclusive award programs (30 UNDER 30, WOMAN AWARD, SMALL GIANTS AWARD, RISING STAR), hosts conferences and networking events, and offers a BrandVoice sponsored content program for corporate advertisers.
Is Forbes JAPAN a public or private company?
Forbes JAPAN is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Forbes JAPAN founded?
Forbes JAPAN was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Forbes JAPAN based?
Forbes JAPAN is headquartered in Minato, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Forbes JAPAN make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Subscription Revenue is the primary driver. The others are advertising, brandVoice / Sponsored Content and event Revenue.
Who are Forbes JAPAN's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Financial Times, DIAMOND Online, Nikkei (Nikkei Inc.) and Toyo Keizai. Emerging players are WIRED Japan and PIVOT (Podcast/Media). Direct peers are Harvard Business Review Japan (DIAMOND), Forbes (US/Global), Newsweek Japan and Bloomberg Businessweek Japan / Bloomberg.jp.
Does Forbes JAPAN have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forbes JAPAN.
What industry is Forbes JAPAN in?
Forbes JAPAN's product category is Business Media and Digital Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJADAA, National & General-Interest Newspapers (Print & Digital), with a secondary code of MPAJAEAA, Consumer Lifestyle & Fashion Magazines. Its NAICS code is 51311 and its SIC code is 2711.