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 18-09-2025.
| Rank | Inventor | Company | Patent Count |
| 1 | Nagata Satoshi | NTT Docomo | 6310 |
| 2 | Matsumura Yuki | NTT Docomo | 2854 |
| 3 | Yamazaki Shunpei | Semiconductor Energy Laboratory | 2269 |
| 4 | Takeda Kazuki | Qualcomm | 2211 |
| 5 | Harada Hiroki | NTT Docomo | 2113 |
| 6 | Suzuki Hidetoshi | Panasonic | 1967 |
| 7 | Nishi Takahiro | Panasonic | 1842 |
| 8 | Yoshioka Shohei | NTT Docomo | 1383 |
| 9 | Toma Tadamasa | Panasonic | 1346 |
| 10 | Chen Lan | NTT Docomo | 1256 |
| 11 | Takahashi Hideaki | Toyota Motor | 1204 |
| 12 | Sugio Toshiyasu | Panasonic | 1148 |
| 13 | Fujishiro Masato | Kyocera | 957 |
| 14 | Abe Kiyofumi | Panasonic | 917 |
| 15 | Shibaike Naoya | NTT Docomo | 795 |
| 16 | Nishio Akihiko | Panasonic | 773 |
| 17 | Yamada Shohei | Denso Corp | 693 |
| 18 | Seo Satoshi | Honda Motor | 690 |
| 19 | Yamamoto Tetsuya | Canon | 681 |
| 20 | Suzuki Shoichi | Japan Tobacco International | 670 |
| 21 | Urabe Yoshio | Panasonic | 625 |
| 22 | Horiuchi Ayako | Panasonic | 599 |
| 23 | Takeda Kazuaki | NTT Docomo | 572 |
| 24 | Kurita Daisuke | NTT Docomo | 567 |
| 25 | Murakami Yutaka | Changan Automobile | 562 |
| 26 | Futaki Hisashi | NEC Corp | 560 |
| 27 | Iguchi Noritaka | Panasonic | 556 |
| 28 | Sasai Hisao | Panasonic | 547 |
| 29 | Hoshino Masayuki | Continental Ag | 544 |
| 30 | Tanaka Yusuke | Preferred Networks Inc | 534 |
| 31 | Takatori Yasushi | NTT Docomo | 532 |
| 32 | Iwai Takashi | Sony | 524 |
| 33 | Matsunobu Toru | Panasonic | 524 |
| 34 | Shibahara Youji | Panasonic | 519 |
| 35 | Sato Takashi | Sony | 517 |
| 36 | Kusashima Naoki | Sony | 492 |
| 37 | Uchino Tooru | NTT Docomo | 483 |
| 38 | Okano Mayuko | NTT Docomo | 481 |
| 39 | Aiba Tatsushi | Sharp Kk | 458 |
| 40 | Tamura Toshiyuki | NEC Corp | 449 |
| 41 | Kimura Hajime | Semiconductor Energy Laboratory | 446 |
| 42 | Igawa Tomoyuki | Chugai Pharmaceutical | 444 |
| 43 | Mochizuki Mitsuru | Panasonic | 442 |
| 44 | Teo Han Boon | Panasonic | 436 |
| 45 | Okamura Masaya | NTT Docomo | 433 |
| 46 | Ouchi Wataru | Sharp Kk | 423 |
| 47 | Matsumoto Takashi | Tata Consultancy Services | 378 |
| 48 | Takahashi Yusuke | NEC Corp | 364 |
| 49 | Yamamoto Takeshi | Canon | 278 |
| 50 | Suzuki Kenji | Sony | 206 |
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.