The Arasaka Corporationis a powerful organization that towers over the world ofCyberpunk 2077. They are extremely influential in Night City, and their reach goes way beyond the city’s borders. They have headquarters throughout the world, from Tokyo to the United States. They even have their own space station.
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The corporation and the family running it are the main antagonists of the game. While there aremany details the players will discoverabout this megacorporation while playing the game’s main campaign, there are facts about Arasaka that not everyone will get, including crucial details about the company’s history, traits, and background.
Updated July 25, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia:Thanks to a slew of DLC packs,updates, and refinements— as well as the recent popular anime, Edgerunners —Cyberpunk 2077has seen something of a reemergence since its rocky start in 2020.
These factors have also brought more attention to one of the most prominent powers and story elements of the game, Arasaka. And with so many interesting, often hidden, details surrounding this powerhouse corporation, it seemed fitting to revisit the topic.
15Countless Sponsors To Exert Their Influence
An example includes the classical Japanese festival called the Dashi Parade. This was explained by leadership as a way to maintain and feed an economically sound Japan. But of course, it’s also a means of exerting more influence and power in Night City and beyond, as well as to financially feed the growing machine that is Arasaka.
14Their Immense Financial Value
Arasaka’s rich — and often dark — history dates back to World War II, in which they helped supply the Japanese Imperial Army. From there, they would expand and take on various forms to keep the money machine churning and growing. This was initially meant to outlast and overcome Japan’s post-war conditions.
Over the decades, as their influence and reach grew, they amassed an absurd amount of wealth, with properties in 2020 clocking in at about9.5 trillion New Yen and 475 billion Eurodollars.Nearly half of the Eurodollar funds stem from the Arasaka Bank alone. A large portion comes from the various subsidiary companies owned by Arasaka.
This already immense value hasdoubledits value to nearly900 billion Eurodollarsin 2077.
13Controversy And Corruption On Many Fronts
MostCyberpunk 2077fans are aware of the rather shady dealings and history surrounding Arasaka. Yet few know just how many tentacles of corruption and controversy are attached to the company. The corporation is on record for countless unethical practices — including extortion, blackmail, and bribery as tools for gaining more agency and wealth.
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Though they also handle teams of morally dubious mercenaries. These mercenaries often take part in assassinations and abductions of prominent or otherwise “useful” targets. One of the most “explosive” indictments included the detonation of a thermonuclear device in Night City Corporate Plaze in2023,of which they were found guilty.
12The Militant Origins Of Their Name
While not confirmed, it’s widely believed that the creative origins of the “Arasaka” name can be traced to a realJapanese lieutenant generalfrom the early 20th century,Arisaka Nariakira.Appointed head of the Army Technical Bureau, he would go on to create theArisaka Rifleand become a leading arms craftsman.
His weapons would be utilized up until the end of WWII. Despite the slight change in spelling, this reference would certainly make sense, given the similar origins and traits of the Arasaka Corporation.
Still, others speculate that this company name may come from a prominent riflefrom the renowned anime filmAkira,the “Arasaka HLR-12X Heavy Laser Rifle.”
11…And Their Logo
While simple looking at first glance, there is more to this ambiguous Arasaka logo than meets the eye. The image is meant to represent a symbol or a three-part hollyhock “mon” of theTokugawa Clan,a shogun dynasty that ruled Japan for over two hundred years during theEdoperiod (1603 to 1867). The Tokugawa symbol shows what appears to be a trio of blossoming flowers intersecting at a central point.
This is rather appropriate, given the parallels of the shoguns rivaling and mirroring government powers, acting as sort of independent power structures. This in some ways can be compared to the megacorp Arasaka in 2077.
10Employee Life
One of Arasaka’s main tenets isloyalty. Therefore, all Arasaka employees must abide by a series of strict rules should they remain employed by the corporation. One of the most austere rules held by Arasaka is the maintenance of image.
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All Arasaka employees must dress according to their position. Higher-level people are expected to dress exquisitely, while low-level workers are given more liberty, but they’re still not allowed to be too promiscuous. It is also frowned upon when an Arasaka employee uses non-Arasaka equipment.
9They Supplied The Imperial Army
The Arasaka Corporation was founded in1915by Saburo Arasaka’s father,SasaiArasaka. During its early years, the company focused all of its time and resources on manufacturing.When World War II came around, Arasaka saw this as an opportunity to grow.
To further their name, power, and wealth, Arasaka started supplying the Imperial Army. Later on, however, Sasai Arasaka foresaw the Imperial’s fall. In hopes of maintaining his company’s fortune and power, he spread his wealth across the globe.
8Saburo Almost Committed Seppuko Before Leading The Company
Before Saburo Arasaka was the head of the Arasaka Corporation, he was a lieutenant serving in theImperial Japanese Navy.When the Emperor of Japan broadcast their surrender and renounced his divinity, Saburo was intensely distraught that he contemplated committingseppuku.
Right before taking his own life, however, Saburo had an epiphany. He realized that after his father’s passing, it would be him leading Arasaka. He knew that a fortune like that, if used correctly, would allow him to dominate the world.
Saburo Arasaka finally took control and became the head of Arasaka in1960after his father passed away at the age of 101. Saburo was41when he stepped into his father’s role. During this time, Arasaka did not yet have the influence and power they already have in 2077, but Saburo knew they were heading in the right direction.
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Saburo’s main goal was to push Japan as a military and economic superpower, and his corporation would propel the nation. He also knew that the key to power was the control of information, so he formed the Arasaka Security Division.
6Arasaka Tried To Control The Japanese Government
In the late 1990s, almost60%of Japan’s national legislature members were Arasaka-bought politicians. However, various Japanese corporations recognized this and disliked the idea of Arasaka having control of the entire country.
As a countermeasure, they formedFACS, (or Far Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere). They would constantly foil Arasaka’s control and saw the arrest of the politicians that were bought by the corporation.
