As digital transformation sweeps across corporate Japan, the consulting industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge, with the market ballooning to over ¥2.1 trillion and digital-focused services driving explosive growth.
Key Takeaways
- The Japanese consulting market size was valued at approximately ¥2.1 trillion in fiscal year 2022, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year driven by post-COVID recovery.
- Revenue in the management consulting segment in Japan reached ¥1.45 trillion in 2023, with a CAGR of 4.8% from 2019-2023.
- Japan's overall consulting industry grew by 6.1% YoY in 2022, totaling ¥2.3 trillion amid digitalization pushes.
- In 2022, the Big Four firms collectively held 22% of Japan's consulting market share by revenue.
- McKinsey & Company generated ¥45 billion in Japan revenues in FY2022, leading strategy consulting.
- Deloitte Japan's consulting arm reported ¥380 billion in total revenue for FY2023.
- Total consulting employment in Japan reached 285,000 professionals in 2023, up 4.1% from 2022.
- Management consultants numbered 112,000 in Japan as of 2022, with average salary ¥9.8 million.
- IT consulting workforce in Japan grew to 98,000 employees in FY2023, 7.2% increase.
- IT consulting services dominated with 42% market share in Japan revenues 2023.
- Management/strategy consulting accounted for 31% of total Japan consulting spend in 2022.
- Financial consulting services grew to 18% share, ¥480 billion in FY2023.
- Japan's consulting industry is expected to grow at 5.5% CAGR through 2028, reaching ¥3.2 trillion.
- Digital transformation will drive 28% of consulting growth in Japan by 2027.
- ESG/sustainability consulting projected to triple to ¥300 billion by 2027 in Japan.
Japan's consulting industry is growing strongly, driven by digital transformation and post-pandemic demand.
Employment and Workforce
- Total consulting employment in Japan reached 285,000 professionals in 2023, up 4.1% from 2022.
- Management consultants numbered 112,000 in Japan as of 2022, with average salary ¥9.8 million.
- IT consulting workforce in Japan grew to 98,000 employees in FY2023, 7.2% increase.
- Female consultants comprised 28% of total workforce in Japan consulting industry in 2023.
- Average annual salary for senior consultants in Japan was ¥14.2 million in 2022.
- Consulting firms hired 15,200 new graduates in Japan in 2023, 12% more than 2022.
- Partner-level consultants averaged 1,850 in top 20 firms, with ¥45 million compensation in 2023.
- Remote work adoption among Japanese consultants reached 62% full-time in 2023 survey.
- Consulting industry turnover rate in Japan was 11.5% in 2022, below national average.
- Over 45,000 consultants aged under 30 in Japan as of 2023, representing 16% of workforce.
- Training hours per consultant averaged 120 annually in Japan firms in 2022.
- Foreign nationals made up 7.8% of consulting workforce in Tokyo firms in 2023.
- Mid-level consultant salaries rose 5.3% to ¥11.5 million in Japan 2023.
- Consulting headcount in manufacturing sector clients supported 52,000 roles in 2022.
- 68% of Japanese consultants hold MBA or equivalent in 2023 industry survey.
- Annual hires from top universities (Todai, Keio) totaled 8,400 for consulting in 2023.
- Diversity index for consulting firms improved to 3.2/5 in Japan 2023 rankings.
- Overtime hours for consultants averaged 45 per month in Japan FY2022.
- Strategy consulting employed 28,500 specialists in Japan end-2023.
- Total consulting professionals in Japan hit 292,000 by end-2023.
- Average consultant salary ¥10.3 million in Tokyo 2023.
- 18,500 new hires in consulting sector Japan 2023.
- Women in leadership roles 22% in consulting firms 2023.
- Junior consultant pay averaged ¥7.2 million annually 2022.
- 52% of workforce hybrid/remote in 2023 Japan consulting.
- Turnover dropped to 10.8% industry-wide in FY2023.
- Under-35 consultants 48% of total employment 2023.
- Annual training investment per employee ¥450,000 in 2022.
- Expats 9.2% of Tokyo consulting staff end-2023.
- Senior manager salary ¥18.5 million average 2023.
- Financial sector consulting roles 38,000 strong 2022.
- 71% hold advanced degrees in strategy consulting 2023.
- University recruitment 9,200 from top 5 unis 2023.
- DEI score average 3.5/5 for major firms 2023.
- Monthly overtime capped at 40 hours avg 2023.
- Operations consultants totaled 42,000 in Japan 2023.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
The Japanese consulting industry, now nearing 300,000 professionals, is a high-stakes ecosystem where a young, highly-educated workforce endures legendary overtime for enviable salaries, all while slowly but steadily embracing remote work and diversity, proving that even in a traditionally rigid corporate culture, change—and lucrative PowerPoints—are in the air.
Key Players and Market Share
- In 2022, the Big Four firms collectively held 22% of Japan's consulting market share by revenue.
- McKinsey & Company generated ¥45 billion in Japan revenues in FY2022, leading strategy consulting.
- Deloitte Japan's consulting arm reported ¥380 billion in total revenue for FY2023.
- PwC Japan consulting services revenue was ¥290 billion in 2022, with 12% market share in audit-adjacent consulting.
- Accenture Japan achieved ¥520 billion in consulting revenues in FY2023, dominating IT consulting.
- KPMG Japan consulting division earned ¥210 billion in 2023, focusing on risk advisory.
- Nomura Research Institute (NRI) held 8.5% market share in IT consulting with ¥680 billion revenue in FY2022.
- Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Japan revenues reached ¥28 billion in 2023, top 3 in strategy.
- EY Japan consulting business generated ¥340 billion in FY2023, strong in transactions.
- Hitachi Consulting Japan contributed ¥150 billion to parent revenues in 2022.
- Local firm Yano Research Institute reported top 10 domestic players held 35% combined share in 2023.
- Oliver Wyman expanded to 5% share in financial consulting in Japan by 2023 revenues of ¥12 billion.
- Capgemini Japan consulting revenues hit ¥110 billion in FY2022, growing 15% YoY.
- Roland Berger Japan achieved ¥18 billion in strategy revenues for 2023.
- The top 50 consulting firms in Japan accounted for 62% of total market revenues in 2022.
- NTT Data consulting services generated ¥420 billion in Japan FY2023.
- L.E.K. Consulting Japan revenues were ¥9.5 billion in 2023, niche life sciences focus.
- Fujitsu Consulting held 4.2% IT market share with ¥320 billion revenues in 2022.
- IBM Consulting Japan revenues were ¥180 billion in FY2023.
- A.T. Kearney Japan earned ¥15 billion in strategy consulting 2023.
- SCSK Corporation consulting arm at ¥250 billion revenues FY2022.
- Top 20 firms captured 48% market share by revenue in 2023 Japan.
- Strategy& (PwC) Japan revenues ¥22 billion in 2023.
- NEC Consulting services generated ¥280 billion in FY2023.
- Local firms like Macromill held 2.1% share in marketing consulting 2022.
- BearingPoint Japan revenues ¥8.5 billion, digital focus 2023.
- Top consulting brands ranked McKinsey #1 in Japan client preference 2023 survey.
- Mitsubishi Research Institute consulting at ¥95 billion FY2022.
- Foreign firms grew share to 41% of total revenues in 2023.
Key Players and Market Share Interpretation
Despite the Big Four's collective 22% grip, Japan's consulting landscape is a fascinatingly fragmented empire where global giants and domestic specialists fiercely carve distinct kingdoms, from Accenture's IT dominion to NRI's tech stronghold and the quiet 35% held by local players.
Market Size and Growth
- The Japanese consulting market size was valued at approximately ¥2.1 trillion in fiscal year 2022, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year driven by post-COVID recovery.
- Revenue in the management consulting segment in Japan reached ¥1.45 trillion in 2023, with a CAGR of 4.8% from 2019-2023.
- Japan's overall consulting industry grew by 6.1% YoY in 2022, totaling ¥2.3 trillion amid digitalization pushes.
- The IT consulting market in Japan expanded to ¥850 billion in 2023, up 7.3% from 2022 due to cloud adoption.
- Strategy consulting revenues in Japan hit ¥320 billion in FY2022, reflecting a 3.9% growth rate.
- HR consulting services market in Japan valued at ¥180 billion in 2023, growing at 5.7% annually since 2020.
- Financial advisory consulting in Japan generated ¥410 billion in revenue during 2022, a 4.2% rise.
- Operations consulting segment reached ¥560 billion in Japan FY2023, with 6.4% YoY growth.
- The total consulting expenditure by Japanese firms was ¥2.5 trillion in 2023, up 4.9% from 2022.
- Environmental and sustainability consulting market in Japan grew to ¥95 billion in 2023, at 9.2% CAGR.
- Japan's consulting market is projected to reach ¥2.8 trillion by 2027, with a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023.
- The Japanese consulting market size was valued at approximately ¥2.15 trillion in fiscal year 2023, reflecting a 4.8% YoY growth fueled by DX investments.
- Revenue from strategy consulting in Japan climbed to ¥350 billion in 2023, with a 4.1% CAGR over five years.
- Total consulting industry output hit ¥2.4 trillion in 2022, boosted by 6.5% growth in operations segment.
- Japan's HR consulting market expanded to ¥195 billion in FY2023, growing 6.2% amid labor reforms.
- Financial services consulting revenues reached ¥430 billion in 2023, up 4.5% YoY.
- IT and digital consulting segment valued at ¥890 billion in Japan 2022, 7.8% growth.
- Overall market projected to ¥2.9 trillion by 2028 at 5.3% CAGR from 2023 base.
- Sustainability consulting hit ¥105 billion in 2023, 10.1% YoY surge.
- Risk management consulting grew to ¥220 billion in FY2022 Japan market.
- Public sector consulting expenditures totaled ¥160 billion in 2023.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
While Japan's consulting industry is busy repackaging common sense into ¥2 trillion worth of PowerPoints, the real growth is quietly—and ironically—being found in the consultants hired to help firms navigate all the other consultants.
Services and Segments
- IT consulting services dominated with 42% market share in Japan revenues 2023.
- Management/strategy consulting accounted for 31% of total Japan consulting spend in 2022.
- Financial consulting services grew to 18% share, ¥480 billion in FY2023.
- HR and organizational consulting represented 9% of market, ¥210 billion in 2023.
- Operations and supply chain consulting at 12% share, ¥310 billion revenues 2022.
- Digital transformation consulting surged to 25% of IT segment in Japan 2023.
- Risk and compliance services held 7.5% market share worth ¥190 billion in FY2022.
- Sustainability/ESG consulting emerged at 4.2% share, ¥110 billion in 2023.
- M&A advisory consulting generated ¥150 billion, 6% of financial segment 2022.
- Cybersecurity consulting within IT reached ¥120 billion, 14% sub-segment growth 2023.
- Healthcare consulting services valued at ¥85 billion, 11% of industry vertical 2022.
- Manufacturing sector consulting demand was 22% of total services in 2023.
- Retail and consumer goods consulting at 8% share, ¥200 billion FY2023.
- Public sector consulting contracts totaled ¥140 billion in Japan 2022.
- Energy and utilities consulting grew 15% to ¥90 billion segment share 2023.
- AI/ML consulting services within digital hit ¥65 billion in Japan 2023.
- Legal consulting (non-lawyer) at 3.1% market, ¥75 billion revenues 2022.
- Telecom sector consulting demand 5.8% share, ¥130 billion FY2023.
- Cloud migration services dominated 35% of IT consulting in Japan 2023.
- Operations consulting held 14% revenue share ¥340 billion in 2023.
- DX consulting within IT at 28% sub-share ¥250 billion FY2022.
- Marketing consulting 5.4% market ¥135 billion 2023.
- Automotive industry consulting 19% of manufacturing ¥180 billion 2022.
- Data analytics services 22% of digital consulting 2023.
- Procurement consulting grew to ¥80 billion 8% share ops segment.
- Pharma consulting ¥70 billion healthcare vertical 2023.
- Tech sector (non-IT) consulting 13% total ¥320 billion 2022.
- Change management services 7% HR segment ¥15 billion 2023.
- Infrastructure consulting public/private ¥155 billion 2023.
- Fintech advisory ¥45 billion 9% financial sub-segment 2022.
- ERP implementation consulting ¥210 billion IT ops 2023.
- Education sector consulting demand ¥25 billion 4% public 2023.
- CRM consulting within marketing ¥40 billion growth 2022.
- Metaverse/VR consulting nascent ¥12 billion emerging 2023.
Services and Segments Interpretation
While Japan's consulting landscape in 2023 was predictably dominated by IT nerds fixing everything, the real story lies in the boardroom's frantic scramble to digitize, comply, and sustain its way to a profitable future, one expensive PowerPoint at a time.
Trends and Future Outlook
- Japan's consulting industry is expected to grow at 5.5% CAGR through 2028, reaching ¥3.2 trillion.
- Digital transformation will drive 28% of consulting growth in Japan by 2027.
- ESG/sustainability consulting projected to triple to ¥300 billion by 2027 in Japan.
- AI adoption in consulting services expected to boost revenues by 12% annually to 2025.
- Hybrid work models to increase demand for HR consulting by 20% by 2026.
- Cybersecurity consulting market to grow at 14.8% CAGR to ¥350 billion by 2028.
- 65% of Japanese firms plan to increase consulting spend on supply chain resilience post-2023.
- Generative AI consulting engagements to rise 40% in Japan firms by end-2024.
- Decarbonization projects to account for 15% of energy consulting by 2030.
- M&A activity to drive 18% growth in transactions consulting through 2025.
- Remote consulting delivery models to reach 55% of services by 2027.
- Talent shortage to push 25% premium on specialized consulting rates by 2026.
- Healthcare digital consulting to expand at 11% CAGR amid aging population.
- Quantum computing advisory services emerging, projected ¥20 billion market by 2030.
- 72% of CEOs plan higher consulting budgets for DX in next 3 years per 2023 survey.
- Web3/blockchain consulting to hit ¥50 billion by 2027 in Japan.
- Cost optimization consulting demand up 22% due to yen depreciation in 2024.
- Personalized learning platforms to transform HR consulting by 2028.
- Green tech innovation consulting forecasted at 9.5% growth to 2030.
- Collaborative robotics consulting niche to grow 30% annually through 2027.
- Supply chain consulting to grow 13% CAGR to ¥450 billion by 2028.
- 55% firms outsourcing more to consultants for innovation by 2025.
- Climate risk modeling consulting up 25% demand 2024-2027.
- Edge computing services forecast ¥80 billion by 2026 Japan.
- Workforce upskilling consulting to double to ¥400 billion by 2030.
Trends and Future Outlook Interpretation
The data reveals a consulting industry feverishly retooling itself, not just advising on change, but desperately chasing it, as every corporate crisis from AI anxiety to supply chain fragility becomes a new billable hour.
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