TIB CATAPULT is an initiative that brings all of Tokyo's railway systems together to co-create with startups, corporations, and municipalities to foster innovation. Multiple clusters span fields such as railways, healthcare, and tourism.

This series explores Japan's modern energy history while introducing Japanese GX companies and nuclear fusion start-ups. Here in part 2, we outline the energy transitions Japan has undertaken from the post-war period to the present day, bridging the discussion to subsequent sections covering GX initiatives and nuclear fusion start-ups.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the rise of fitness studios in Japan in recent years, whilst also highlighting some startups within the health supplement industry.

In Japan’s Kansai region (which includes Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Shiga, and Nara), a quiet transformation is underway. Once defined by its manufacturing and trade, the region is now becoming a serious contender on the global deeptech stage—a shift driven in no small part by initiatives like the Kansai Startup Academia Coalition (KSAC).

We sit down with Jill, co-founder of Tattoo Studio 18CLUB in Kobe, to hear about his journey opening a business in Japan in a famously stigmatized industry.

Focusing on climate change and energy, this series explores Japan's modern energy history while introducing Japanese GX companies and nuclear fusion start-ups. Part 1 covers Japan's modern energy history, detailing developments from the Meiji Restoration to the world wars.

Interview with Tatsuya Yoshida, Representative of the Kansai Startup Academia Coalition (KSAC).

We went to Osaka Expo 2025 to check out Osaka’s Nest for Reborn Pavilion and try the 'Reborn Experience Route,’ where visitors embark on a journey to rediscover their own health and imagine the future of well-being.

We attended the three major pitch events of Umeda Innovation Week over Sept 16-19 2025. They indicate a tipping point in the Japanese startup ecosystem being reached, with Kansai at the forefront.

From Columbia to Mexico to the USA to Germany and then finally to Japan, Alvaro Rios sits down with Blackbox to talk about his company and why Japan makes sense for medtech and robotics startups... and some pitfalls to watch out for.

SKS JAPAN 2025 showcased how Japanese agritech startups are addressing issues such as food waste, resource circulation, and declining domestic demand while exploring opportunities for global expansion.

This article explores the growing significance of stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar or Japanese yen—in both the United States and Japan. While adoption in the U.S. has surged, with new legislation like the GENIUS Act supporting the ecosystem, Japan has taken a regulatory leadership role, having first defined crypto assets in 2017. The article reviews Japan’s legal framework under the Payment Services Act (PSA) and the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA), recent amendments, and the emergence of local stablecoin initiatives. It also highlights future prospects for stablecoin-based payments.