Top 10 Japanese GCCs Fueling Bengaluru’s Tech Boom
India’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with the number of centres projected to grow from 1,700 in 2024 to 2,100 by 2030. While US-based GCCs have traditionally led the charge, non-US GCCs are rapidly gaining momentum, growing at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. This growth is nearly double that of their US-based counterparts, signalling India’s increasing prominence as a global hub for business services. Notably, Japanese companies account for around 5% of India’s GCC ecosystem, primarily focusing on automotive, electronics, and manufacturing. Traditionally, Japanese firms have used GCCs in India for operational support. Now, however, there is a growing shift towards research and development (R&D) and digital transformation. A key example is Toyota’s GCC in Bengaluru, which has begun working on advanced EV battery technologies. This reflects a broader trend of innovation-driven expansion within Japanese GCCs in India. These leading Japanese companies are fuelling India’s GCC expansion and expanding their operations, signalling a new era of collaboration between Japan and India. MUFG Bank MUFG Global Service (MGS) operates from offices in Bengaluru and Mumbai. It is a global capability centre that supports MUFG Bank offices worldwide. MUFG Bank, Japan’s largest bank and a leading global financial institution, has a presence across 40 other countries. It offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services, including strategic advisory, liquidity arrangements, and risk management solutions – all delivered with strong execution. As part of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, one of the world’s largest banking groups by assets, loans, and deposits, MUFG Bank provides financial strength and stability to meet client needs. With a legacy of over 130 years in international commerce, the bank is known for its industry expertise, reliability, and cross-border capabilities, enabling businesses to navigate global markets confidently. Hitachi Energy India Limited Hitachi Energy has played a significant role in India’s key nation-building initiatives and marked 75 years of its presence in the country in 2024. The company began operations in 1949 and established its first factory in Vadodara in 1962, which has since been expanded and modernised. Today, its three manufacturing locations in Gujarat contribute significantly to its overall offerings. The company has also launched its third factory in Bengaluru. This 5,000-square-metre facility serves customers in power utilities, industries, renewable energy, and the rail segment. With a workforce of over 7,300 employees, Hitachi Energy operates 19 factories across eight manufacturing locations, along with shared service centres and a global technology and innovation hub. This reflects its strong commitment to the Make in India initiative, catering to both domestic and global markets. The company has also pioneered high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology in India. More than half of the country’s HVDC links use this advanced solution. In the transportation sector, Hitachi Energy has collaborated with Indian Railways to develop Scott Transformers, which are integral to high-speed rail operations. Over 90% of India’s metro rail systems rely on its power automation solutions. Rakuten India Rakuten India is a global product and innovation centre for the Rakuten Group, to support its businesses in e-commerce, fintech, advertising, mobile, content, and entertainment. With expertise in data science, engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, security, and distributed systems, the company plays a crucial role in driving technological advancements. Its teams in India contribute to multiple Rakuten services, including Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Ready, and Rakuten Delivery, handling engineering, quality control, DevOps, and product development. As the second-largest technology hub outside Japan, Rakuten India builds and enables platforms for global e-commerce, payments, digital services, AI, and data science. Located in Bengaluru, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, the company benefits from a rich talent pool. The work environment aligns with that of Rakuten’s offices in Tokyo, San Francisco, and Singapore, ensuring seamless collaboration across all divisions. Rakuten India is an in-house innovation and technology centre, driving digital transformation across the group’s global operations. Pioneer Innovation is crucial to Pioneer’s approach, and its Centre of Excellence in India represents a major step in expanding its R&D capabilities beyond Japan for the first time. This initiative aims to use India’s talent and expertise to drive advancements in mobility products globally. With R&D centres established in Gurugram and Bengaluru, the company seeks to accelerate innovation and develop cutting-edge products and services in the mobility sector. Pioneer’s Vision AI for cars integrates AI into vehicles to enhance safety and efficiency. Utilising cameras and sensors, it enables real-time perception of the surroundings, supporting features such as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), pedestrian detection, and autonomous driving capabilities. This technology aims to create a safer and more convenient driving experience. Socionext Socionext, a global enterprise headquartered in Yokohama, has expanded its design and development capabilities with the opening of an office in Bengaluru. The company specialises in designing, developing, and delivering system-on-chip (SoC) solutions to customers worldwide, further strengthening its presence in the semiconductor industry. Socionext uses its design expertise to optimise the latest technologies for large-scale SoC development in advanced applications such as autonomous driving and high-performance computing. This enhances performance, reduces power consumption, and lowers overall costs. Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India Last year, Renault Nissan Technology and Business Center India (RNTBCI) inaugurated a new centre in Bengaluru as part of its RNTBCI 3.0 initiative, aiming to strengthen its position as a ‘smart carmaker’. This facility drives advancements in software-defined vehicle (SDV) technologies and AI. RNTBCI is a key hub supporting Renault and Nissan globally. Established in 2007, it is located in Chennai, with additional offices in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. This new centre in Bengaluru combines engineering systems, software, information system, and IT teams to improve vehicle features and operational efficiency using AI and data. It also includes test benches, a car workshop, and high-speed fibre optic connectivity Anritsu India Anritsu India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Anritsu Corporation headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, has been operational in India since 2005. In April 2018, the company expanded its presence by inaugurating a new 10,000-square-foot head office located in Bengaluru. This Bengaluru office serves multiple functions, including sales, technical support, service, research and development, software development, and global support activities for Anritsu’s products and solutions. Anritsu India specialises in providing test and measurement equipment that supports next-generation networking, as well as quality-assurance inspection equipment for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Toyota Motor Corporation Toyota Motor Corporation has a significant presence in Bengaluru, primarily through its joint venture, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM). While TKM operates manufacturing plants in Bidadi, near Bengaluru, the company has also been actively involved in enhancing local talent and engineering capabilities within the city. In 2023, TKM expanded its commitment to skill development by establishing multiple Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Fujitsu Research of India Fujitsu Research of India represents Fujitsu’s research initiatives in the country, focusing on developing cutting-edge technologies to support the company’s goal of building a more sustainable world through innovation and trust. The company primarily focuses on research and development into AI, ML technologies and quantum software. The organisation is dedicated to driving large-scale societal transformation by developing trusted digital technologies that enable successful digital transformation (DX) strategies. Established in April 2022, Fujitsu Research of India operates across Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Shindengen India Private Limited Shindengen India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., was established in August 2012. Located in Bengaluru, the facility spans 20,000 square meters. The company specialises in the manufacturing and sales of electrical equipment, including regulators, ECUs, inverters, and PCUs.According to reports, Shindengen India has committed ₹254 crore in Karnataka at the Invest Karnataka 2025 summit.
Japanese companies account for around 5% of India’s GCC ecosystem.
Japanese companies account for around 5% of India’s GCC ecosystem.
["GCC"]
["data science", "Go", "artificial intelligence", "machine learning", "GCC", "AI", "cloud computing", "ML", "Transformers", "Aim", "R"]
["AI", "artificial intelligence", "machine learning", "ML", "data science", "Aim", "Transformers", "cloud computing", "R", "Go"]
Shalini is a senior tech journalist, exploring the latest advancements in AI. When she's not reporting on the latest innovations, you can find her immersed in her next literary adventure.