IT
Overview
From as early as the 1980s, Sapporo has been a trailblazer within Japan in advancing its IT industry through initiatives like Sapporo Techno Park, a research and development complex for IT-related companies. This has led to a consistent rise in sales within the city's IT sector, establishing Sapporo as one of the nation's leading IT industry clusters, attracting numerous venture companies and IT companies.
In order to drive progress in its industries, including the IT sector, Sapporo city leverages two of its key strengths:
- Extensive and cutting-edge research at Hokkaido University and other institutions
- Clusters of ambitious IT companies that implement their technologies into society
With these key strengths, Sapporo promotes initiatives aimed at creating innovation and building an ecosystem through the use of advanced technologies such as AI and integrating them with other fields, in collaboration with industry, academia and government.
Furthermore, in order to establish Sapporo as a sustainable city across the board, we utilize IT and digital technologies in our urban management, addressing local challenges and creating new value as a smart city.
Key Benefits
Excellent human resources supporting a strong industry
As a region with ample skilled human resources as well as multiple high-level companies, Sapporo is a hotspot for IT development. Sapporo is home to a number of educational institutions which produce many IT professionals every year, such as Hokkaido University and Hokkaido University of Science.
Sapporo Techno Park
From as early as the 1980s, Sapporo has been leading the nation in IT advancement with Sapporo Techno Park, an industrial park for IT-related companies. This has established Sapporo as one of Japan’s key IT industry clusters, with several venture companies and IT companies located here.
Sapporo AI Dojo
Sapporo city is implementing initiatives such as the ‘Sapporo AI Dojo’ to boost the technical skills of international IT engineers, and to establish Sapporo as an accommodating working environment. Further information can be found here.
Key players representing the
IT industry
Several of Japan’s world-renowned technology companies have offices in Sapporo.
Sector Snapshot
Over 510 billion yen
Source: Hokkaido IT Report 2023, Hokkaido Information and Communication Technology Association; 2021 Economic Census, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau
Over 24,000 people
Source: 2021 Economic Census, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau
1,157 offices
Source: 2021 Economic Census, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau
22.7%
Source: Hokkaido IT Report 2023, Hokkaido Information and Communication Technology Association
Collaborative
Projects
Sapporo Innovation Promotion Consortium
A collaboration between industry, academia and government to promote digital innovation. Experts from various fields come together to develop projects aimed at making Sapporo a smart city and revitalizing the local economy.
Sapporo Area Marketplace for Data Transaction
In December 2022, the City of Sapporo and the Sapporo Electronics and Industries Cultivation Foundation established the first municipality-led initiative of its kind for promoting the distribution and sharing of data, the Sapporo Area Marketplace for Data Transaction. Data held by governments and companies can be provided and used free of charge or for a fee, with the aim of providing useful resources for the development of services and applications.
