📈 8 Japanese Stocks That Doubled in 2025
Broader market down YTD with 9 of the 10 biggest companies Japan in red
While Japan’s broad stock index TOPIX is down more than 9% in 2025, and most of the country’s largest listed companies are in double-digit negative territory, a small group of fast-moving stocks has stood out.
These eight names—all listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange—have each doubled or more in share price year-to-date, with exposure ranging from biotech to fintech and construction.
This strong outperformance contrasts sharply with the broader trend:
🔻 The average YTD return across all stocks in the Dividend Japan database is –3.8% (as of April 17, 2025).
📈 However, Japan remains attractive to income investors, offering a market-wide average dividend yield of 2.7%.
Below, the eight best performers of the year so far:
🚀 The 8 Stocks That Doubled in 2025
These companies have benefited from sector-specific tailwinds or strong investor interest in emerging technologies. Two of them—Lightworks Corp and GMO Internet Inc—also pay dividends, adding income appeal to their growth story.
🧪 Renascience Inc (4889 JP)
2025 YTD Return: +161.0%
Share Price (17-Apr-2025): ¥1,036
Sector: Biopharmaceuticals
Renascience develops treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Its R&D-driven model aligns with early-stage U.S. biotech firms such as Incyte or pre-commercial Moderna.
📊 CCReB Advisors Inc (276A JP)
2025 YTD Return: +246.5%
Share Price (17-Apr-2025): ¥3,825
Sector: Financial Services / Asset Management
This Tokyo-based firm provides corporate governance and restructuring advisory. Its role in Japan’s evolving corporate reform scene mirrors companies like KKR or Lazard in the U.S.
🚁 Terra Drone Corp (278A JP)
2025 YTD Return: +160.2%
Share Price (17-Apr-2025): ¥7,580
Sector: Aerospace / Drone Technology
Specialized in industrial drone applications, Terra Drone is active in infrastructure inspections and global aerospace partnerships. Similar players abroad include AeroVironment or DJI. Terra Drone only went public in November 2024 and surged this year, partly due to the rapidly growing demand for drones and their applications in a time of wars and conflicts worldwide.
👥 Kaonavi Inc (4435 JP)
2025 YTD Return: +126.7%
Share Price (17-Apr-2025): ¥4,570
Sector: SaaS / HR Tech
Kaonavi offers a cloud-based HR platform for personnel data management, targeting medium to large enterprises. Comparable to U.S.-based Workday or BambooHR. Please note that the Kaonavi stock price jumps this year because of the planned acquisition of the company by Carlyle Group.
🧱 Spancrete Corp (5277 JP)
2025 YTD Return: +125.5%
Share Price (17-Apr-2025): ¥451
Sector: Construction Materials
Spancrete manufactures precast concrete for infrastructure and real estate. Its focus on domestic public works positions it alongside companies like Vulcan Materials in the U.S.
🛰️ Synspective Inc (290A JP)
2025 YTD Return: +114.3%
Share Price (17-Apr-2025): ¥1,370
Sector: Satellite Data / Geospatial Analytics
Synspective operates SAR satellites for earth observation and data analytics. Analogous to U.S. space-data firms like BlackSky and Planet Labs.
🎮 Lightworks Corp (4267 JP)
2025 YTD Return: +105.7%
Share Price (17-Apr-2025): ¥2,176
Sector: EdTech / Gamified Learning
Lightworks builds e-learning and training software using game-like mechanics. It serves both corporations and educational clients. Dividend yield: 2.0%. U.S. parallels include Kahoot! and Duolingo.
🌐 GMO Internet Inc (4784 JP)
2025 YTD Return: +100.7%
Share Price (17-Apr-2025): ¥2,485
Sector: Internet Infrastructure / Fintech
A diversified IT group offering domain services, online payments, and crypto-related platforms. Similar to GoDaddy, Shopify, or Block Inc.. Dividend yield: 0.3%.
📉 Japan’s Largest Stocks Are Deep in the Red
While these eight names have surged, the most prominent names in Japan’s equity market have had a rough 2025. Many of the country’s largest and most widely held stocks have seen significant share price declines despite healthy dividends.
With the exception of Nintendo, every major name in this list has declined in 2025—many with losses greater than 10%. Even stable dividend payers such as NTT and Sumitomo Mitsui have not been spared. A fun fact is that, despite the significant drop in the stock market, record numbers of companies from Japan are doing stock splits; by the end of March 2025, we had counted nearly 50 stock splits in Tokyo.
📌 Conclusion
In a year where Japan’s equity market is broadly in retreat, these eight doubling stocks demonstrate that opportunities still exist, particularly in innovative or niche sectors. They contrast sharply with the broader trend of negative returns, including for household names like Toyota and Sony. In future posts we will do deep dives into the best dividend stocks in Japan.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investors should conduct their own research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.