C&W to Support Japanese Companies Expanding Global Capability Centers in India

Cushman & Wakefield's New Role in Japan-India Innovation

Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) has embarked on a significant role in facilitating the establishment and expansion of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India for over 100 Japanese companies. According to insights from C&W's India division, this trend is indicative of a transformative phase in the relationship between Japan and India in terms of innovation. Initially, GCCs were primarily designed for business support and cost efficiency; however, they are now evolving into strategic hubs that foster digital transformation (DX), tackle talent shortages, and generate comprehensive innovation across organizations.

Apurva Srivastava, Managing Director of APAC Tenant Representation & GCC Advisory at C&W, states, "This is no longer just about outsourcing. Japanese companies are not merely moving to India for cost-cutting. They are establishing strategic capability centers to create business value, drive innovation, and support global transformation initiatives. India offers access to highly skilled professionals in engineering and digital fields while also providing the necessary scale, infrastructure, and ecosystem for long-term growth."

This evolution clearly showcases how Japanese businesses are adapting their global strategies. Historically, overseas investments by Japanese firms were increasingly focused on enhancing manufacturing efficiency and expanding operational scales. Now, India is emerging as a strategic partner for innovation, aiding in building future-ready business capabilities while underpinning technology-led growth.

Japanese GCCs in India are focusing on advancing digital product development, promoting AI and automation, bolstering cybersecurity functions, and delivering sophisticated analytics and engineering solutions. They have become core expertise centers that directly impact global business challenges.

Three primary structural factors are driving this transition:

1. The increasing demand for digital, engineering, and technology talent within Japanese corporations.
2. India's robust STEM talent base, producing between 2.5 to 2.8 million graduates each year.
3. The matured office infrastructure, technology clusters, and investment environment that meet global standards.

As the role of GCCs becomes more sophisticated, Japanese companies are positioning higher-value operations in their Indian bases, integrating them into global innovation and decision-making processes.

Srivastava notes, "Currently, we are witnessing a fundamental redefinition of the GCC model. For many Japanese companies, the question is no longer whether to establish a GCC in India, but how quickly they can scale their strategic capabilities. India uniquely combines talent, business maturity, and scalability, enabling companies to focus on building innovation-centric centers rather than just executing operations."

This trend also contributes to the continued maturation of India's GCC ecosystem. While established hubs like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune remain key destinations, firms are increasingly exploring emerging talent markets to support future growth and enhance resilience as well as to gain access to fresh expertise.

What makes this transformation particularly significant is Japan's role in shaping the GCC ecosystem from a multifaceted perspective. Japanese firms are not only establishing and expanding their GCCs in India; they are also contributing to the development of office campuses, tech parks, and real estate platforms that support the country's innovation economy. Consequently, Japan is emerging as a leading GCC tenant, important real estate investor, and strategic partner in the innovation-led growth narrative in India.

The rising presence of Japanese GCCs highlights broader shifts in corporate strategy. Here, GCCs are increasingly recognized not merely as cost centers but as vital drivers of innovation, talent development, and competitive advantage.

"In the next decade, Japanese companies are anticipated to play an even more significant role in the evolution of India’s GCC ecosystem. Simultaneously, India will become an increasingly critical source of innovation for Japanese firms," Srivastava adds. "The next wave of growth in GCCs will be shaped by AI, exceptional engineering, innovation, and co-creation. Japanese companies are already resolutely moving in that direction. This relationship is evolving into a strategic innovation partnership based on shared expertise, long-term investments, and sustainable growth."

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global firm providing comprehensive commercial real estate services, operating across over 350 locations in approximately 60 countries. The company employs around 53,000 professionals, with anticipated revenues of $10.3 billion in 2025 across key sectors, including facilities management, sales brokerage, valuation, tenant representation, leasing, project management, and more. Guided by the philosophy of "Better never settles," C&W is committed to sustainable growth and enhancing corporate value, receiving high acclaim both within and outside the industry. For more details, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.