Enjin's Strategic Acquisition of Hotarus
Enjin Co., Ltd. (TSE Growth: 7370), led by President and Group CEO Koudai Honda, announced a decisive step forward in its tourism strategy. During a board meeting on March 11, 2026, En Journey, a consolidated subsidiary of Enjin, decided to acquire 51% of the issued shares of Hotarus Co., Ltd. This acquisition is aimed at positioning Hotarus as a subsidiary and is anticipated to be executed on April 1, 2026.
Background and Objectives
In recent years, the tourism industry has experienced a significant shift, with a growing number of inbound tourists to Japan and a booming demand in the Kansai region, particularly with the upcoming opening of the Osaka Integrated Resort (IR). En Journey, which joined the Enjin Group in March 2026, is leveraging Enjin’s extensive customer base of approximately 2,500 companies and rich branding expertise to innovate its tourism and transportation offerings.
However, to fuel further growth in the sightseeing bus market, it is essential to move beyond acting merely as a transportation service. There is an urgent need to enhance the overall added value of the travel experience through improved "content capacity" and "planning abilities."
The Advantages of Acquiring Hotarus
Hotarus, headquartered in Osaka’s Chuo Ward, possesses a robust network and specific strengths in the inbound tourism sector. By making Hotarus a subsidiary, Enjin aims to unlock several synergies:
- - Meeting Diverse Needs: The acquisition will enable Enjin to cater to various demands, including inbound tourism and services tailored to affluent clientele.
- - Enhancing Quality Experiences: Hotarus is known for curating high-quality experiential tours that enrich the overall tourism content offered by Enjin Group.
- - Operational Efficiency: As the business expands, it will lead to more efficient management of operations and optimal resource allocation.
- - Addressing Industry Challenges: This strategic move also addresses ongoing industry issues such as driver shortages and vehicle investment burdens.
Company Overview of Hotarus
- - Name: Hotarus Co., Ltd.
- - Location: 2-10-27 Nambanbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
- - Capital: 1 million yen
- - Foundation: September 23, 2020
- - Operations: Focused on inbound tourism services
- - Acquisition Details: Enjin will acquire 510 shares, constituting 51% of the total issued shares, with the purchase price undisclosed but fair market value assessed internally.
Future Outlook
The impact of this transaction on the consolidated results for the fiscal year ending May 2026 is expected to be minor. However, it is anticipated to contribute to the overall improvement in the consolidated performance of the Enjin Group in the medium term. The group expresses a commitment to continue strengthening its business foundations in the tourism and mobility sectors while expanding high-value services in pursuit of sustainable growth.
Enjin Company Overview
Enjin is dedicated to the mission of visualizing all forms of value to elevate societal well-being. The company provides PR consulting services that enhance corporate value through media-based branding and connects clients with media via a comprehensive PR platform. As of February 2025, Enjin has served over 6,000 clients across various sectors, regardless of the geographical location within Japan.
- - Headquarters: 5-13-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- - CEO: Koudai Honda
- - Stock Code: 7370 (Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market)
- - Website: Enjin Official Website