South Korean battery manufacturer SK On Company announced that it plans to open a sales office in Japan, to tap into growing demand from the country’s electric vehicle (EV) industry and energy storage systems (ESS) market. The Tokyo operation will be the company’s fourth overseas sales office after the US, China and Hungary.

The Japanese domestic vehicle market is dominated by hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, although battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are beginning to gain traction in the marketplace, supported by rising government subsidies. Vehicle manufacturers are also stepping up their BEV programmes to meet rising global demand.

Local BEV sales are reported to have increased by 80% to a record 27,000 units in the first three months of 2026, but the market penetration rate remains a fraction of that of most other global markets.

An SK On spokesperson confirmed with local reporters: “The Tokyo office will serve as a strategic hub to accelerate our entry into Japan’s automotive and ESS markets. It will enable faster responses to customer needs while supporting new orders and profitability-driven growth.”