Toshiba, Fujitsu and other major Japanese manufacturers are relocating their headquarters functions from central Tokyo to elsewhere in the country in response to the spread of remote work.

These moves are also aimed at improving coordination among research and development, manufacturing and corporate planning officials.

Toshiba is moving its headquarters from a high-rise building in Shibaura, Tokyo, where it has been for about 40 years, to a building in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Its executive office and corporate planning department have been relocated to Kawasaki, and the remaining public relations department will move to the new office by the end of this month.

The Toshiba name is derived from Shibaura, while Kawasaki hosted a former incandescent lamp factory of the company.

¡°We aim to overcome the current situation in which internal organizations lack cooperation due to vertical divisions,¡± a company official said of the expected benefits from the relocation.

Fujitsu also has its headquarters in Kawasaki. Last year, it consolidated its head office functions in the Shiodome district in Tokyo¡¯s Minato Ward and research and development bases into Kawasaki, where it was founded. The company has renamed its main base in Kawasaki ¡°Technology Park,¡± with a plan to redevelop it into a facility capable of conducting demonstration experiments of cutting-edge technologies.

Last year, precision instrument maker Nikon built a new office in a quiet residential area in Nishioi in Tokyo¡¯s Shinagawa Ward, where it established its base about 100 years ago, moving from a large office building in front of Shinagawa Station in the capital.

The company is fostering community relations by inviting local elementary school students to microscope workshops at the new office.

¡°We are pleased that people appear to accept that Nikon is back,¡± said a public relations official.

In contrast, Sharp will return its headquarters to the city of Osaka in 2026 after moving to its plant in the city of Sakai in Osaka Prefecture in 2016 amid a management crisis.

The company now aims to attract talented personnel and enhance connections with business partners in the city of Osaka, which offers greater convenience.