Ericsson Establishes New Yokohama R&D Center to Advance 5G 6G and Open Radio Technologies in Japan

Ericsson Establishes New Yokohama R&D Center to Advance 5G 6G and Open Radio Technologies in Japan

(IN BRIEF) Ericsson will open a new telecom innovation R&D Center in Yokohama in April 2026, with formal inauguration planned for 2027, creating up to 300 research and engineering roles. Led by Jan Fallgren, the facility will focus on advanced radio technologies, 5G and 6G development, O-RAN architectures, and AI-powered network solutions. The investment strengthens Ericsson’s collaboration with Japanese industry and government while reinforcing Japan’s role in global telecommunications innovation.

(PRESS RELEASE) STOCKHOLM, 19-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Ericsson has confirmed that its new telecommunications innovation R&D Center in Japan will be established in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai 21 district, with operations scheduled to commence in April 2026 and an official inauguration planned for the first half of 2027.

The facility forms part of Ericsson’s broader investment strategy in Japan and will focus on the development of advanced radio hardware and software solutions for both domestic and global markets. It will play a central role in driving innovation in programmable 5G networks, next-generation mobile technologies, and open network architectures including O-RAN, while also contributing to international standardization efforts.

Jan Fallgren has been appointed to lead Ericsson’s Radio R&D operations in Japan. He will oversee the expansion of the research team responsible for advancing next-generation communication technologies and strengthening Japan’s role within Ericsson’s global innovation network. Recruitment is already underway, targeting up to 300 R&D positions across telecommunications, software, and hardware disciplines, with a focus on Japanese university graduates and experienced professionals.

The new center will be located near Ericsson’s existing facilities in Yokohama and will include dedicated collaboration spaces designed to support close cooperation with customers, partners, and academic institutions. By situating the center in Minato Mirai 21, a district known for its innovation ecosystem and public-private-academic partnerships, Ericsson aims to integrate into a vibrant technology community and attract top engineering talent.

Takeharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama, welcomed the investment, noting that the city continues to position itself as a destination for global R&D operations and expressing confidence that advancements in wireless technologies, including 6G, will stimulate innovation and contribute to economic growth.

Chafic Nassif, Head of Ericsson Market Area Northeast Asia, emphasized that expanding R&D capacity in Yokohama will strengthen collaboration with Japanese customers and partners while supporting the country’s digital transformation and infrastructure resilience.

Anna Dicander, Head of Radio and Transport Engineering at Ericsson’s Business Area Networks, highlighted the company’s intent to work alongside Japanese companies, universities, startups, and government agencies to accelerate progress in 5G, 6G, AI-enabled networks, and energy-efficient radio technologies.

Ericsson invests approximately USD 5 billion annually in global research and development. The Yokohama center will become a key node within the company’s worldwide R&D network, reinforcing its leadership in advanced telecommunications technologies and supporting Japan’s ICT ecosystem.

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SOURCE: Ericsson