Nojima

Nojima Corporation is a Japanese consumer-electronics retailer headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Its principal retail business operates under the Nojima name and sells a broad assortment of household electrical appliances, computers, mobile phones, and other digital products. The chain is particularly associated with the Kantō region, while the wider group has also developed operations outside Japan, including a subsidiary in Cambodia. The business originated in Kanagawa as an electrical-products seller. It was established in 1959 under the name Nojima Electric Industry Co., Ltd., and a company identified as Nojima Electric was subsequently established in 1962. The organization was reorganized in 1982 and adopted the name Nojima Corporation in 1991. These changes marked the development of a local electrical-goods business into a formal corporate retail group. Nojima’s expansion has included both consolidation in the Japanese electronics sector and diversification beyond store-based appliance sales. In 2007, Nojima merged with Shinden. Laox, which had previously been Shinden’s largest shareholder, retained an equity connection with Nojima after the transaction. In 2009, following an unsuccessful acquisition process involving Laox, Nojima hired approximately 200 Laox employees. These events connected Nojima with the restructuring of Japan’s consumer-electronics retail industry during a period of intense competition and industry consolidation. The company established Nojima (Cambodia) Co. Ltd. in Phnom Penh in 2013, with stated capital of 250 million yen, giving the group a direct presence in Southeast Asia. In 2015, Nojima announced the merger of its ITN and ITX subsidiaries. ITN had been created by Nojima as part of an effort to acquire shares, and the subsidiary consolidation formed part of the group’s broader reorganization of its technology and communications interests. In 2019, Nojima acquired Courts’ Asian operations, extending its regional consumer-electronics and home-appliance activities beyond Japan. Nojima subsequently moved into television and specialty-channel operations. On October 1, 2021, it entered the satellite-television business through the acquisition of three channels: AXN Entertainment, AXN Japan, and Mystery Channel. In late 2023, its AXN subsidiary agreed to acquire Animax and Kids Station from Sony Pictures Entertainment; that transaction closed on April 1, 2024. At the end of 2024, Nojima also acquired Vaio, adding a branded personal-computer business to its portfolio. The group therefore combines a Japanese consumer-electronics retail identity with interests in communications, regional retail, television channels, and personal computers. Its core customer proposition remains the sale and support of household and digital technology products, while acquisitions have broadened its scope into media ownership and technology manufacturing or branding. Nojima’s operations and corporate history illustrate the evolution of a regional electrical retailer into a diversified Japanese group with selected international activities.

Nojima’s origins lie in Kanagawa’s electrical-goods trade. The business was established in 1959 in Sagamihara as Nojima Electric Industry Co., Ltd., selling electrical products. A company known as Nojima Electric was established in 1962, and the organization was reorganized in 1982. In 1991, it adopted the corporate name Nojima Corporation. The company developed primarily as a consumer-electronics retailer, building the Nojima store chain and offering household appliances, computers, mobile phones, and other digital products. Its retail presence became particularly concentrated in the Kantō area of Japan. The business later added operations in Cambodia, reflecting an effort to extend its activities beyond the domestic Japanese market. A significant stage of corporate expansion began with the 2007 merger between Nojima and Shinden. Laox, which had been Shinden’s largest shareholder, continued to hold shares in Nojima after the merger. In 2009, after an acquisition involving Laox failed to take place, Nojima hired approximately 200 Laox employees. These developments occurred against the background of consolidation and restructuring among Japanese electronics retailers. Nojima established Nojima (Cambodia) Co. Ltd. in Phnom Penh in 2013. The subsidiary was established with capital of 250 million yen. In 2015, Nojima announced that its ITN and ITX subsidiaries would merge. ITN had been created by Nojima to acquire shares, and the merger represented a rationalization of the group’s subsidiary structure. In 2019, Nojima acquired Courts’ Asian operations. This broadened the group’s regional retail footprint and added to its activities in consumer electronics and household appliances. The company then diversified into television-channel ownership. On October 1, 2021, it entered the satellite-television business by acquiring AXN Entertainment, AXN Japan, and Mystery Channel from Sony Pictures Entertainment and J:COM. The media portfolio expanded again when the AXN subsidiary acquired Animax and Kids Station from Sony Pictures Entertainment. The deal was made in late 2023 and closed on April 1, 2024. At the end of 2024, Nojima acquired Vaio, bringing a recognized personal-computer brand into the group. Nojima’s history thus moves from local electrical retail to a broader corporate structure encompassing Japanese consumer-electronics stores, international retail activities, information-technology and communications subsidiaries, television channels, and personal computers. The Nojima brand remains most closely identified with retailing appliances and digital products, while the corporation’s acquisitions have created a wider portfolio of technology and media businesses.

1. 2024Animax and Kids Station acquisition closes

   The AXN subsidiary completes its acquisition of Animax and Kids Station on April 1.

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2. 2024Vaio acquired

   Nojima acquires Vaio at the end of 2024.

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3. 2021Entry into satellite television

   Nojima acquires three television channels and enters the satellite-television business on October 1.

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4. 2019Courts Asian operations acquired

   Nojima acquires Courts’ Asian operations.

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5. 2013Cambodian subsidiary established

   Nojima forms Nojima (Cambodia) Co. Ltd. in Phnom Penh.

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6. 2007Merger with Shinden

   Nojima merges with Shinden, with Laox retaining an equity relationship after the transaction.

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7. 1991The company adopts the Nojima Corporation name

   The business changes its corporate name to Nojima Corporation.

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8. 1982Corporate reorganization

   The organization is reorganized.

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9. 1962Nojima Electric is established

   A company identified as Nojima Electric is established as part of the organization’s early corporate development.

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10. 1959Nojima Electric Industry is established

    The business is established in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, as Nojima Electric Industry Co., Ltd., selling electrical products.

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A broad Japanese consumer-electronics retailer with a strong Kantō presence and a diversified group portfolio spanning appliances, mobile communications, regional retail, television channels, and personal computers.

• Nojima retail storesConsumer-electronics retail

  The Nojima store chain is the corporation’s core consumer-facing business. Stores sell household electrical appliances, computers, mobile phones, televisions, audio equipment, and other digital products. The chain is mainly associated with Japan’s Kantō region, although the wider group has developed additional regional and international operations.

• AXN Entertainment, AXN Japan, and Mystery ChannelTelevision channels2021

  These television channels became part of Nojima’s portfolio when the corporation entered the satellite-television business in 2021. Their acquisition marked a significant diversification from physical retail into ownership and operation of specialty television services.

• Animax and Kids StationTelevision channels2024

  Animax and Kids Station were acquired by Nojima’s AXN subsidiary from Sony Pictures Entertainment. The transaction was agreed in late 2023 and completed on April 1, 2024, expanding the group’s Japanese television-channel portfolio.

• VaioPersonal computers2024

  Vaio became part of Nojima’s portfolio through an acquisition completed at the end of 2024. The brand adds a personal-computer business to a group whose retail operations have long included computers and other digital products.

• 2024Acquisition of VaioM&A

  Nojima expanded its technology portfolio into a branded personal-computer business.

  What changed. Nojima acquired Vaio at the end of 2024.

  Aftermath. Vaio became part of Nojima’s broader retail, technology, and media group.

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• 2023AXN acquisition of Animax and Kids StationM&A

  Nojima continued expanding its television portfolio through its AXN subsidiary.

  What changed. The AXN subsidiary acquired Animax and Kids Station from Sony Pictures Entertainment.

  Aftermath. The transaction closed on April 1, 2024, adding two established specialty channels to the group.

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• 2021Entry into satellite televisionStrategy

  Nojima diversified beyond retail into media and television-channel ownership.

  What changed. The company acquired AXN Entertainment, AXN Japan, and Mystery Channel on October 1.

  Aftermath. Nojima established a satellite-television business within the group.

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• 2019Acquisition of Courts’ Asian operationsM&A

  Nojima sought to expand its consumer-electronics and household-appliance activities in Asia.

  What changed. Nojima acquired Courts’ Asian operations.

  Aftermath. The group expanded its regional retail presence beyond Japan.

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• 2015Merger of ITN and ITXStrategy

  Nojima reorganized subsidiaries connected with its information-technology and communications interests.

  What changed. The company announced the merger of ITN and ITX.

  Aftermath. The subsidiary structure was consolidated.

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• 2007Merger with ShindenM&A

  Nojima pursued expansion and consolidation within Japan’s consumer-electronics sector.

  What changed. Nojima merged with Shinden.

  Aftermath. Laox, previously Shinden’s largest shareholder, continued to hold shares in Nojima.

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• 2024Animax and Kids Station transaction closes

  The acquisition of Animax and Kids Station by the AXN subsidiary closed on April 1, 2024.

  M&A
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• 2024Nojima acquires Vaio

  At the end of 2024, Nojima acquired Vaio, adding a personal-computer brand to its broader technology portfolio.

  M&AProduct generation
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• 2023AXN subsidiary agrees to acquire Animax and Kids Station

  Nojima’s AXN subsidiary acquired Animax and Kids Station from Sony Pictures Entertainment in a transaction announced in late 2023.

  M&A
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• 2021Nojima enters the satellite-television business

  Nojima entered satellite television on October 1 through the acquisition of AXN Entertainment, AXN Japan, and Mystery Channel.

  M&A
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• 2019Nojima acquires Courts’ Asian operations

  Nojima acquired Courts’ Asian operations, expanding its regional consumer-electronics and home-appliance activities.

  M&A
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• 2015Nojima announces ITN and ITX merger

  Nojima announced the merger of its ITN and ITX subsidiaries as part of a reorganization of its technology and communications interests.

  M&A
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• 2013Nojima establishes Cambodian subsidiary

  Nojima established Nojima (Cambodia) Co. Ltd. in Phnom Penh, with stated capital of 250 million yen.

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• 2009Nojima hires approximately 200 Laox employees

  After an acquisition involving Laox did not proceed, Nojima hired approximately 200 Laox employees.

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• 2007Nojima merges with Shinden

  Nojima and Shinden combined their businesses. Laox, previously Shinden’s largest shareholder, continued to hold shares in Nojima after the transaction.

  M&A
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1. Nojima Corporation
2. Nojima Corporation official website