Japan has long been recognized as a global leader in technological innovation, combining precision engineering with forward-thinking research to shape the future of industries worldwide. From robotics and automotive technologies to electronics and sustainable energy solutions, Japanese inventors continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, driving progress across multiple sectors.
This list ranks the top 50 most prolific Japan-based inventors who have patents published globally between 2020 and 2025, highlighting their patent portfolios and the innovative companies behind their work. These inventors play a pivotal role in reinforcing Japan’s reputation as a powerhouse of innovation and technological excellence.
Note: The inventors featured in this list are residents of Japan, as indicated by their inventor address. The patent count represents the number of patents that are either owned or co-owned by these inventors from 01-01-2020 to 09-12-2025.
| Rank | Inventor | Company | Patent Count |
| 1 | Nagata Satoshi | NTT Docomo | 6525 |
| 2 | Yamazaki Shunpei | Semiconductor Energy Laboratory | 2335 |
| 3 | Matsumura Yuki | NTT Docomo | 2997 |
| 4 | Takeda Kazuki | Qualcomm | 2259 |
| 5 | Nishi Takahiro | Panasonic | 1895 |
| 6 | Harada Hiroki | NTT Docomo | 2144 |
| 7 | Shigeta Yasushi | Angel Group | 1196 |
| 8 | Toma Tadamasa | Panasonic | 1370 |
| 9 | Suzuki Hidetoshi | Panasonic | 2023 |
| 10 | Yoshioka Shohei | NTT Docomo | 1432 |
| 11 | Sugio Toshiyasu | Panasonic | 1193 |
| 12 | Seo Satoshi | Honda Motor | 708 |
| 13 | Abe Kiyofumi | Panasonic | 943 |
| 14 | Yamada Manabu | Japan Tobacco International | 869 |
| 15 | Yamada Shohei | Sharp Kk | 698 |
| 16 | Suzuki Shoichi | Japan Tobacco International | 668 |
| 17 | Takahashi Hideaki | Toyota Motor | 1210 |
| 18 | Kimura Hajime | Semiconductor Energy Laboratory | 470 |
| 19 | Fujishiro Masato | Kyocera | 1012 |
| 20 | Shibaike Naoya | NTT Docomo | 852 |
| 21 | Urabe Yoshio | Panasonic | 651 |
| 22 | Kurita Daisuke | NTT Docomo | 582 |
| 23 | Kumagai Shinya | NTT Docomo | 703 |
| 24 | Nishio Akihiko | Panasonic | 783 |
| 25 | Matsumoto Takashi | NEC Corp | 453 |
| 26 | Tamura Toshiyuki | NEC Corp | 458 |
| 27 | Ohara Tomoya | NTT Docomo | 557 |
| 28 | Horiuchi Ayako | Panasonic | 610 |
| 29 | Takahashi Yuki | Denso Corp | 1185 |
| 30 | Futaki Hisashi | NEC Corp | 566 |
| 31 | Iguchi Noritaka | Panasonic | 591 |
| 32 | Yamamoto Tetsuya | Panasonic | 704 |
| 33 | Aiba Tatsushi | Sharp Kk | 486 |
| 34 | Murakami Yutaka | Panasonic | 568 |
| 35 | Iwai Takashi | Sony | 536 |
| 36 | Matsunobu Toru | Panasonic | 529 |
| 37 | Tanaka Yusuke | Sony Group | 553 |
| 38 | Okano Mayuko | NTT Docomo | 514 |
| 39 | Sasai Hisao | Panasonic | 550 |
| 40 | Takahashi Hiroki | Sharp Kk | 494 |
| 41 | Takeda Kazuaki | NTT Docomo | 578 |
| 42 | Shibahara Youji | Panasonic | 522 |
| 43 | Uchino Tooru | NTT Docomo | 484 |
| 44 | Hoshino Masayuki | Panasonic | 545 |
| 45 | Kusashima Naoki | Sony | 497 |
| 46 | Sato Takashi | Mitsubishi Group | 525 |
| 47 | Takatori Yasushi | Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp | 558 |
| 48 | Nakano Yuki | Rohm Co Ltd | 474 |
| 49 | Suzuki Kenji | Sony | 478 |
| 50 | Yamamoto Takeshi | Canon | 465 |
Explore the companies driving Japanese innovation. While the Top 50 Inventors in Japan are at the forefront of new ideas, our list of Top Domestic Companies in Japan showcases the firms leading the way in patent activity, regardless of their ties to these inventors.
The data of inventors’ patents made available here is solely intended for informational purposes. Although we make every effort to maintain the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the provided information, we cannot guarantee that all data is completely free of errors or entirely up-to-date. If you happen to be the Inventor and notice any discrepancies in the data, please get in touch with us by filling the form below.