What Relation does

Relation is a Japanese IT services company founded in 2012, headquartered in Tokyo with a Yokohama office and Ashiya roots, employing 101-250 staff (self-reported 250+ engineers and designers). The firm operates under a 'three-in-one' integrated model combining ICT strategy, system development, and design, positioning itself as a one-stop shop from planning through deployment and operations. Core service lines span system and application development, maintenance and operations, LABO-style subscription development with dedicated teams, infrastructure build, EC site production, web site design, marketing support, and operational outsourcing.

The underlying technology stack is platform-agnostic and diversified across multiple competing ecosystems: CMS platforms including WordPress, Movable Type, HubSpot CMS, and Shield CMS; EC platforms including Shopify, Rakuten, MakeShop, and Amazon; and Microsoft 365 for collaboration. The company delivers custom web applications, POS systems, ERP-adjacent core systems, mobile applications, and digital marketing campaigns. No proprietary AI/ML models, API products, or SDKs are disclosed, and AI appears only as a feature in select client projects rather than as a core competency.

Revenue mechanics are project-based professional services with managed-services overlays. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quoted per engagement. The go-to-market is sales-led through direct outreach, website inquiries, referrals, and a 'business partner' recruitment program. Customer segments span enterprise (e.g., Dwango, Tokyo D Tower Hospital), mid-market firms across retail/wholesale/EC, manufacturing/construction/transportation, and SMB/startup clients. The firm operates exclusively in the Japanese domestic market, with Kanto-region density and only tentative signals of cross-border project work (India, US).

Name

Relation

Legal name

株式会社relation

Website

https://relation2012.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Relation is a Japanese IT services firm offering integrated ICT strategy, custom system development, and design for enterprise, mid-market, and SMB clients across Japan, delivered through 250+ in-house engineers and designers across web, EC, mobile, and digital marketing engagements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Services and System Development

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

System Integration & Connectors (BPAMAOAC)

Keywords

• IT services
• Custom software development
• Web design production
• Ecommerce solutions
• Digital marketing support

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashiya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. System and Application Development: Custom software development contracted on a project basis, covering requirements definition, design, development, and deployment across various industries including logistics, medical, retail, and manufacturing.
2. EC Site Production and Operations: Design and development of e-commerce sites on platforms such as Shopify, WordPress, and Rakuten, including ongoing operational support and marketing services.
3. Web Site Design and Production: Corporate website design and production, including content strategy, visual design, and technical implementation, targeting businesses of all sizes.
4. Marketing Support Services: Strategic marketing planning, SEO, social media management, advertising operations, and operational outsourcing for EC and web properties.
5. Maintenance and Operations: Ongoing server and system maintenance, network optimization, and legacy system support provided as contracted operations services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Relation (株式会社relation) is a Japanese IT services company that delivers an integrated 'three-in-one' service model combining ICT strategy, system development, and design. The company provides custom system and application development, EC site production, website design, marketing support, infrastructure construction, and ongoing maintenance and operations for clients across retail, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and other industries in Japan.

Product overview

Relation is a Japanese IT services company offering a unified '三位一体' (three-in-one) service approach combining '戦略' (strategy), 'システム' (systems), and 'デザイン' (design). The company provides end-to-end ICT services from consulting and planning to design, system construction, and operations. The core product portfolio includes: System & App Development (custom systems, mobile apps, POS, ERP), Maintenance & Operations (server/system management), LABO-style Development (subscription IT professional service), Infrastructure Build (network/server setup), EC Site Production (Shopify, MakeShop, Rakuten), Website Production (WordPress, HubSpot CMS, Movable Type), Marketing Support (SEO, advertising, SNS), and Operational Support (outsourced management). These services are delivered as an integrated one-stop solution rather than as separate software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• System & App Development
• Maintenance & Operations (O&M)
• LABO-style Development
• Infrastructure Build
• EC Site Production
• Website Production
• Marketing Support
• Operational Support
• KUCHIBI

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature2 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• SAKURA Internet Inc. SAKURA Internet is a Japanese hosting and IT services provider that supports small businesses and developers with infrastructure, server management, and web services — overlapping with Relation's infrastructure/O&M and SME EC/web design offerings.

Direct peers

• Future Corporation: Future Corporation is a mid-sized Japanese IT firm focused on system consulting, IT solutions, and digital business services. Its consulting-led, multi-disciplinary IT services model is closely comparable to Relation's strategy/system/design positioning.
• ITFOR Inc. ITFOR is a Japanese IT services firm specializing in custom system development, infrastructure construction, and maintenance operations. Its service mix — development, infrastructure, and ongoing operations — directly mirrors Relation's core offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ): IIJ is a Japanese IT and network services provider offering system integration, infrastructure, and managed services. Its infrastructure design and managed-O&M practice overlaps directly with Relation's 'Infrastructure Build' and maintenance services.
• NTT Data Group: NTT Data is one of Japan's largest IT services and system integration firms, serving enterprises across sectors including retail, finance, and manufacturing. It is a likely competitor on enterprise system development and maintenance contracts that Relation targets.
• Nomura Research Institute (NRI): NRI is a major Japanese consulting and IT solutions firm combining strategy consulting with system development and operations. Its consulting-plus-implementation model parallels Relation's Three-in-One (Strategy × System × Design) approach at much larger scale.
• ABeam Consulting: ABeam is a Japan-headquartered global consulting firm with strong IT consulting and system implementation practices. It competes with Relation on the strategy / digital transformation side of engagements targeting large Japanese enterprises.
• BIPROGY Inc. BIPROGY (formerly Nihon Unisys) is a major Japanese IT services firm offering system development, outsourcing, and consulting across industries. It competes with Relation for enterprise and large-corporate system development and maintenance engagements, though at much larger scale.
• ITOCHU Techno-Solutions (CTC): CTC is a major Japanese system integrator providing enterprise IT solutions, cloud infrastructure, and managed services. It competes with Relation for mid-market and enterprise system development projects and EC/retail vertical engagements.
• TIS Inc. TIS is a leading Japanese IT services group providing custom system development, consulting, and outsourcing. It directly overlaps with Relation's core custom-system and maintenance/operations (O&M) service lines and serves similar enterprise and SME customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/relation_ict_d
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/relation2012

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Relation