Forbes JAPAN

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.

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

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

• Business media publishing
• Digital journalism
• Business news subscriptions
• Sponsored content advertising
• Business award programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Minato

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Advertising: Display advertising and sponsored content placements on the digital platform and magazine.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Forbes Global (Forbes.com LLC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing 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.coreOthersOperating company for Forbes JAPAN brand. linkties Co., Ltd. operates the Forbes JAPAN website and related services.
• Japan Venture Capital Association (JVCA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partnership for 'Japan's Venture Capitalist of the Year' ranking program modeled after Forbes' Midas List.
• Fujisan.co.jpminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMagazine subscription service distribution partner for Forbes JAPAN magazine sales and delivery.
• Amazon JapanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail distribution partner for Forbes JAPAN magazine and special issue sales through Amazon marketplace.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad 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

• Xtwitter.com/forbesjapan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCNqh_t77RbTQiWFjY_cwm_g
• Facebookfacebook.com/forbesjapan
• Instagraminstagram.com/forbesjapan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forbes JAPAN