Takeda

Takeda is a Japanese surname and a name used for various entities, including historical clans, modern corporations, and geographic references. The most prominent associations are historical and contemporary, spanning culture, business, and geography.

One significant use is the Takeda clan, a powerful samurai family centered in Kai Province during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. Under leaders such as Takeda Shingen (1521–1573), the clan expanded its influence in central Japan and became one of the era’s major powers. The clan’s fortunes declined after Shingen’s death, culminating in defeats by rival powers and the eventual dissolution of the Takeda domain toward the end of the 16th century.

In the modern era, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1781 as a family-run apothecary by Chobei Takeda, the firm grew into a multinational corporation with a diverse portfolio spanning prescription medicines, vaccines, and biologics. Takeda completed the acquisition of Shire in 2019, expanding its presence in rare diseases, gastroenterology, oncology, and plasma-derived therapies. The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and operates worldwide through subsidiaries and partnerships.

The name Takeda also appears as a surname in Japan and beyond, and is used in various geographic and institutional names. Notable individuals bearing the surname include historical figures and contemporary professionals across fields such as leadership, science, and sports.