LinkJapan
LinkJapan is a Tokyo-based IoT smart home company that operates the HomeLink unified app, integrating 20+ partner brands and proprietary hardware. It serves Japanese real estate developers (eLife), senior living operators (eMamo), and individual consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What LinkJapan does
LinkJapan is a privately held Tokyo-based IoT smart home company founded in 2014 as Japan's first specialist in the category. It develops and operates the HomeLink platform — a unified smart home control layer combining a consumer-facing mobile app (iOS/Android), proprietary IoT hardware (smart remotes, sensors, cameras, locks, plugs, lighting, curtain motors, HEMS/JEMA hubs), and APIs/IoT chips for third-party integration across Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and ECHONET Lite protocols. The company also operates two B2B service brands: eLife, which pre-installs smart home functionality as a standard amenity in new Japanese condominiums and rental developments, and eMamo, an AI/IoT senior living platform for elderly care facilities.
The company monetizes through multiple streams: one-time consumer hardware sales (via HomeLink Store and Amazon Japan), recurring B2B platform licensing and per-unit installation fees for real estate developers, professional installation services delivered through partner company Media Create Communications, and licensing/royalty revenue from partner manufacturers integrating into the HomeLink ecosystem. Its GTM motion is hybrid — enterprise field sales to major Japanese real estate developers (Mitsui Fudosan Residential, Takara Lebeen, Sekisui Chemical, Open House Development) combined with a product-led consumer channel and OEM/embedded white-label deployments.
LinkJapan positions itself as Japan's leading IoT smart home specialist with self-reported No.1 market share, 550,000+ cumulative product units shipped, and the broadest partner integration ecosystem (Paloma, Rinnai, Noritz, Osaka Gas, Miwa Lock, Tachikawa Blind, Endo Lighting, Paramount Bed, Akuvox, AISIN, Nitori, and others). The company is led by founder and CEO Shinichi Kawachi, is not venture-backed per available data, and operates exclusively in the Japan domestic market.
LinkJapan firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LinkJapan
- Legal name
- 株式会社リンクジャム
- Website
- https://linkjapan.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LinkJapan is a Tokyo-based IoT smart home company that operates the HomeLink unified app, integrating 20+ partner brands and proprietary hardware. It serves Japanese real estate developers (eLife), senior living operators (eMamo), and individual consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LinkJapan industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Smart Home IoT Platform & Devices
- NAICS
- Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing (33521)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Smart Home Hubs & Home Gateways (IoT Edge) (HDAFAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Home Networking & Connected Home Infrastructure (Wi‑Fi Mesh, Routers, Matter/Thread/Zigbee Bridges) (HSAPAQAG), Home Automation Hub/Platform Integration for Electrical & HVAC (e.g., HomeKit/Google/Alexa) (HSAOANAI), Multi-Sensor Environmental Monitoring Hubs & Smart Home Integrations (HSAHAGAJ)
Keywords
Where LinkJapan is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
LinkJapan business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- IoT Hardware Products: LinkJapan sells a range of proprietary smart home hardware devices including smart remotes (eRemote series), cameras (eCamera series), sensors (eSensor, eAir), smart locks (Sesame series), plugs (ePlug series), smart lighting (eLamp), curtain motors (eCurtain), and hub devices. These are sold as one-time hardware purchases through the company's e-commerce store, Amazon, and third-party retailers.
- eLife Smart Home Platform (B2B): LinkJapan provides its eLife smart home platform and HomeLink OS as a service to real estate developers and property management companies. New residential developments (apartments, condominiums) have the platform pre-installed as a standard or optional amenity, creating recurring value for property owners and differentiating their offerings. Revenue is generated through platform licensing and per-unit installation fees.
- eMamo Senior Living Platform: AI and IoT platform specifically designed for senior living applications, reducing risk of accepting elderly residents and enabling remote care monitoring. This B2B service is offered to senior housing operators and care facilities.
- Professional Installation Services: LinkJapan offers professional installation services (Smart Concierge) through a partner company for consumers who need assistance setting up devices. Service starts at 12,000 yen plus travel fees depending on location (3,000 yen in Kanto/Kansai areas outside Tokyo/Osaka city centers).
- IoT Alliance / API Integration Services: LinkJapan provides APIs, hub devices, and IoT chip solutions to third-party manufacturers and service providers to enable their products and services to integrate with the HomeLink platform, creating an ecosystem of connected devices.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | Visit Installation - Tokyo 23 wards |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Visit Installation - Greater Tokyo/Kansai areas |
| Subscription | Annual | eLife Platform (B2B) |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Consumer Hardware Products |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
LinkJapan product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LinkJapan develops and manufactures a comprehensive smart home ecosystem anchored by the HomeLink app, which unifies control of proprietary IoT hardware (smart remotes, sensors, cameras, locks, plugs, lighting, curtain motors, hubs) with partner manufacturers' devices across Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and ECHONET Lite protocols. The company also operates vertical platforms: eLife for real estate developers to deploy smart home amenities in new residential developments, and eMamo for AI/IoT-enabled senior living monitoring. Revenue comes from hardware product sales, B2B platform licensing, installation services, and API/IoT chip licensing for third-party manufacturer integrations.
Product overview
LinkJapan provides a comprehensive smart home ecosystem centered on the HomeLink app, a unified platform that integrates the company's own IoT devices with numerous third-party products. The portfolio includes smart IR remotes (eRemote series, link REMO), environmental sensors (eSensor, eAir), smart plugs (ePlug series), smart lighting (eLamp), smart locks (Sesame, Link Lock, Miwa Lock), security cameras (eCamera series), and various hubs (ZigBee, ECHONET Lite/JEMA, HEMS). The ecosystem spans both consumer direct-purchase and enterprise/property developer channels, with specialized services like eLife for real estate and eMamo for senior living. Supported protocols include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (BT), ZigBee, and ECHONET Lite for broad device compatibility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HomeLink App (ホームリンク) HomeLink is LinkJapan's unified smart home integration app (iOS and Android) that controls LinkJapan's own products and partner manufacturer devices (appliances, HVAC, locks, sensors, curtains, water heaters) through a single interface, supporting voice control (Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri), GPS-based automation, timer/scene functions, and multi-user family sharing.
- eLife (イーライフ) Smart Home Platform eLife is LinkJapan's B2B smart home platform service for real estate developers and property managers, offering comprehensive smart home functionality (remote HVAC, lighting, voice control, GPS-linked operations) marketed as a property value-enhancement and differentiation amenity for new residential developments.
- eMamo (イーマモ) Senior Living Platform eMamo is LinkJapan's AI and IoT platform designed for senior living applications, reducing the risk of accepting elderly residents and enabling safe rental housing through monitoring, healthcare service provision, and in-home care support functionality as part of the Home OS concept.
- IoT Alliance / API Integration Services LinkJapan's IoT alliance program provides APIs, hub devices, and IoT chips to third-party manufacturers and service providers so their products and services can integrate with the HomeLink platform, creating an ecosystem of connected devices across categories like water heaters, locks, lighting, blinds, HVAC, and security.
- eRemote Series (Smart IR Remotes) LinkJapan's line of smart infrared remotes (eRemote 6, eRemote Hub, eRemote AC100/200, eRemote 5/5+, link REMO) that control IR appliances, provide temperature/humidity display, and act as Bluetooth hubs for downstream BT devices in the HomeLink ecosystem.
- ePlug Series (Smart Plugs) LinkJapan's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart plugs (ePlug, ePlug 2, ePlug 3, ePlug BT) enabling remote on/off control of appliances and energy consumption monitoring via the HomeLink app.
- eLamp Series (Smart Lighting) LinkJapan's Bluetooth smart bulbs (eLamp 2, eLamp) and smart switches (照明スイッチ BT/ZigBee) enabling remote on/off, brightness, color control, and Siri voice control via the HomeLink app.
- eSensor / eAir Series (Environmental Sensors) LinkJapan's environmental and motion sensors (eSensor 2/2+, eAir 3, 人感センサー BT/ZigBee, 開閉センサー BT/ZigBee, ボタン付き開閉センサー BT, マルチボタン BT/ZigBee, 温湿度センサー ZigBee) measuring temperature, humidity, illuminance, sound, air quality, and motion/door state to trigger automation via the HomeLink app.
- eCurtain Series (Smart Curtain Motors) LinkJapan's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth curtain motors (eCurtain, eCurtain 3, Curtain Motor BT, Curtain ZigBee) for automated curtain control on existing curtain rails via the HomeLink app with speed adjustment and scheduled/remote operation.
- eCamera Series (Smart Security Cameras) LinkJapan's home security cameras (eCamera, eCamera 2 LOOK, eCamera 4, eCamera S, eCamera Pro, plus integrated HOME ALSOK CONNECT Eye IP-C730A/IP-C730) providing remote viewing and notifications via the HomeLink app.
- Smart Lock Lineup (Sesame, Link Lock, Miwa Lock) LinkJapan's smart lock integrations including Sesame 5 Pro / Touch Pro, Link Lock (Shibutani), Miwa Lock LinkLock M, and Sesame Bot 2/3 smart switch controllers, enabling remote lock/unlock, guest keys, and retrofit switch control via the HomeLink app.
- Hubs (link HEMS, link JEMA, ZigBee Hub, link LAN, Door Hub) LinkJapan's portfolio of smart home hubs—link HEMS (ECHONET Lite / Home Energy Management System with ZEH log output), link JEMA (ECHONET Lite with Alexa/Google/Siri voice control), ZigBee Hub Wi-Fi, link LAN (wired Ethernet hub), and Door Hub—that bridge multiple protocols (Bluetooth, ZigBee, ECHONET Lite, Wi-Fi, LAN) into the HomeLink app.
- Smart Concierge Professional Installation Services Professional on-site installation service for LinkJapan smart home devices delivered through partner company Media Create Communications (Smart Concierge), covering Kanto, Chubu, and Kansai regions in Japan, with a base fee of 12,000 JPY plus travel fees for areas outside central Tokyo/Osaka.
- LinkJapan Store (HomeLink ストア) LinkJapan's official e-commerce store (store.homelink.jp) where individual consumers can directly purchase the company's smart home hardware products and accessories.
Quantifiable outcome
- Smart home platform deployed in Fukuoka's largest new condominium development (100+ units)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use LinkJapan
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
LinkJapan technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration22 records
AI capability3 records
Feature9 records
LinkJapan partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.
- JR East Group (JR東日本グループ)strategicHomeLink v21.0 introduced integration with JR East's Takanawa Gateway City app, enabling smart home automation triggered by train gate passage information. This transit-to-home integration represents a novel use case connecting transportation infrastructure with residential smart home control.
- Paloma (パロマ)coreLinkJapan integrated its HomeLink app with Paloma's 'Atsukata Hotto Hotto' water heater remote control app, enabling HomeLink users to operate Paloma water heaters (automatic water filling, bath reservation, temperature display) directly through the HomeLink interface. This is LinkJapan's first partnership with Japan's largest water heater manufacturer, significantly expanding the platform's coverage of home infrastructure.
- Takara Lebeen (タカラレーベン)coreJV partnership with Takara Lebeen and Sekisui Chemical to deploy the eLife smart home platform across all units in the 'Leben Hirao Heim Suite' condominium project in Fukuoka. LinkJapan's first adoption in a Takara Lebeen x Sekisui Chemical joint venture, representing a flagship deployment in one of Fukuoka's largest new developments (100+ units).
- Sekisui Chemical (積水化学工業)coreJoint venture partnership with Takara Lebeen and LinkJapan for the Fukuoka condominium project. Sekisui Chemical's housing technology combined with LinkJapan's smart home platform creates a differentiated, technology-enabled residential product for the Japanese market.
- Open House Development (オープンハウス・ディベロップメント)coreLinkJapan's HomeLink OS was adopted as the standard smart home platform across all units in Open House Development's new 'OPEN RISE' brand of high-value-added rental apartments. This partnership aims to increase occupancy rates and property asset value through standardized smart home functionality.
- Smart Concierge / Media Create Communications (スマートコンシェル / 株式会社メディアクレイトコミュニケーションズ)minorProfessional installation services (Smart Concierge) are delivered through partner company Media Create Communications, which provides on-site product setup and configuration for consumers who need assistance with LinkJapan smart home devices.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LinkJapan competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SwitchBot: Smart-home ecosystem company offering hubs, smart curtains, locks, plugs, and a unified SwitchBot app — directly competing with LinkJapan's product breadth and platform-aggregation approach, with stronger presence in global e-commerce.
- Nature Inc. (Nature Remo): Japan-based direct competitor in consumer smart-home hubs and IR-remote products (Nature Remo line) with its own app ecosystem and Smart Home AI assistant. Most comparable to LinkJapan's eRemote series and HomeLink app in the Japanese consumer channel.
Broad incumbents
- Sharp: Sharp's smart home appliances and HEMS-style offerings compete with LinkJapan in the Japanese consumer IoT category and overlap with several HomeLink-integrated appliance partners.
- Amazon (Alexa / Ring / Echo): Amazon's Alexa smart-home ecosystem is one of LinkJapan's three supported voice assistants and a direct competitor for the unified smart-home hub layer globally and in Japan.
- Sony (MESH / smart home sensors): Sony's smart sensor/IoT initiatives (including MESH and broader home electronics) overlap with LinkJapan's environmental sensor and smart camera product lines, and compete on brand recognition in Japanese retail.
- Google (Google Home / Nest): Global smart-home platform incumbent that LinkJapan's HomeLink integrates with. Competes with LinkJapan's platform layer on consumer voice control and ecosystem depth in Japan.
- LIXIL: Major Japanese housing-equipment manufacturer with smart water/heating/faucet products. Like LinkJapan, LIXIL is embedding IoT into residential construction, making it both a potential integration partner and an embedded-incumbent competitor to eLife.
- Panasonic: Broad Japanese electronics major with HEMS/smart home offerings (AiSEG, HOME) that compete for developer and integrator mind-share against LinkJapan's eLife in new residential construction.
Emerging players
- Tuya Smart: Global IoT cloud platform enabling white-label smart home devices with its own app and AI assistant. Comparable as an alternative platform layer that OEM hardware makers could integrate with instead of HomeLink.
- Aqara (Lumi United Technology): Smart home ecosystem competitor offering hubs, sensors, locks, and curtains under its own brand and via Apple HomeKit/Matter. Comparable to LinkJapan's IoT hardware breadth and Matter-era interoperability ambitions.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
LinkJapan social profiles
Digital presenceLinkJapan financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LinkJapan leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
LinkJapan funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LinkJapan 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 LinkJapan
What does LinkJapan do?
LinkJapan develops and manufactures a comprehensive smart home ecosystem anchored by the HomeLink app, which unifies control of proprietary IoT hardware (smart remotes, sensors, cameras, locks, plugs, lighting, curtain motors, hubs) with partner manufacturers' devices across Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and ECHONET Lite protocols. The company also operates vertical platforms: eLife for real estate developers to deploy smart home amenities in new residential developments, and eMamo for AI/IoT-enabled senior living monitoring. Revenue comes from hardware product sales, B2B platform licensing, installation services, and API/IoT chip licensing for third-party manufacturer integrations.
Is LinkJapan a public or private company?
LinkJapan is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was LinkJapan founded?
LinkJapan was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LinkJapan based?
LinkJapan is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does LinkJapan make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. IoT Hardware Products are the primary driver. The others are eLife Smart Home Platform (B2B), eMamo Senior Living Platform, professional Installation Services and ioT Alliance / API Integration Services.
Who are LinkJapan's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SwitchBot and Nature Inc. (Nature Remo). Broad incumbents are Sharp, Amazon (Alexa / Ring / Echo), Sony (MESH / smart home sensors), Google (Google Home / Nest), LIXIL and Panasonic. Emerging players are Tuya Smart and Aqara (Lumi United Technology).
Does LinkJapan have an API?
No public API is recorded for LinkJapan.
What industry is LinkJapan in?
LinkJapan's product category is Smart Home IoT Platform & Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAFAIAL, Smart Home Hubs & Home Gateways (IoT Edge), with a secondary code of HSAPAQAG, Home Networking & Connected Home Infrastructure (Wi‑Fi Mesh, Routers, Matter/Thread/Zigbee Bridges). Its NAICS code is 334512 and its SIC code is 3576.