Japan closes 2025 with a wave of stock splits on the final trading day
More than 30 Tokyo-listed companies split their shares on December 30, including SoftBank, Itochu, Bridgestone and Sapporo
We have previously written several times on DividendJapan.com about the enormous number of stock splits that take place in Japan every year. Almost every month, dozens of companies carry out stock splits. This is largely driven by Japan’s market structure, where investors typically must purchase shares in minimum lots of 100. A high share price therefore makes many stocks less accessible for smaller investors, who would otherwise need to commit several thousand euros or dollars for a single position.
Stock splits offer a practical solution, and Japanese companies have been making extensive use of them for many years. Even on the very last trading day of 2025, more than 30 Tokyo-listed companies implemented a stock split. This group included several well-known and large names such as SoftBank Group, Sapporo Holdings, Bridgestone, and Itochu.
Japan’s Exceptional Dividend Increases in 2025
Japan stands out in 2025 as the clear global outlier in dividend growth, with more than 20 Japanese stocks already doubling their dividend within our dataset alone — a scale that is not even remotely matched by the US or Europe.
December 30, 2025 marked the final trading day of the year in Japan, as the stock exchange remains closed on December 31. It was a strong year for Japanese equities, with the broad TOPIX index gaining more than 22%. The Japanese Dividend Heroes performed even better, delivering a record year with a total return exceeding 35%. Many of these Dividend Heroes have already been covered on DividendJapan.com, while others will be discussed on our website in the coming years.
Below is an overview of some of the most well-known companies that implemented a stock split effective at the end of 2025. As mentioned, there were more than 30 splits on the final trading day of the year in Tokyo, including the following names:
Itochu Corporation (TSE: 8001) – a major Japanese trading house active in global commodities, textiles, machinery, food, and consumer-related businesses – implemented a 1-for-5 stock split. Itochu is one of the ‘Buffett’ stocks from Japan that we highlighted earlier this year. You can now buy Itochu for 1,975 yen per share, versus almost 10,000 yen previously.
SoftBank Group (TSE: 9984) – a multinational holding company focused on telecommunications, technology investments, and venture capital through the Vision Fund – carried out a 1-for-4 stock split.
Bridgestone Corporation (TSE: 5108) – one of the world’s largest manufacturers of tires and rubber products for automotive and industrial use – completed a 1-for-2 stock split.
Sapporo Holdings (TSE: 2501) – a Japanese beverage company best known for its beer brands, as well as alcoholic beverages and food products – executed a 1-for-5 stock split.
Another notable company implementing a significant stock split is Liberta Co. (TSE: 4935), a Japanese consumer products company specializing in lifestyle and functional goods. This stock was previously highlighted on DividendJapan.com as one of the biggest winners in Japan in 2025.
In total, we counted 32 stock splits on December 30, 2025, including three Dividend Heroes that become even more interesting in 2026 due to their lower share prices. We will provide updates on these stocks next year, so stay tuned — and please share our free newsletter as widely as possible. Many thanks in advance.
At DividendJapan, we aim to highlight these opportunities and uncover hidden gems that may not yet be on your radar. Stay tuned as we explore Japan’s dividend growth stories and the next generation of market leaders! Investing in Japan isn’t for everyone, given its unique trading hours, large price swings, currency fluctuations, lot size requirements, and limited analyst coverage — yet the country also offers some of the world’s best dividend growth opportunities, with countless hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
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.