AI Expo Japan 2026 showcased a clear divide between today’s enterprise AI and tomorrow’s Physical AI, offering a glimpse into how Japanese companies are approaching robotics through data, edge computing, reliability, and safety.

Explore three stylish coworking spaces in Shibuya—WeWork Iceberg, Creative Lounge MOV, and .andwork—as the final stop in this Tokyo series, highlighting their unique designs, international communities, creative atmospheres, and flexible workspaces.

A series exploring domestic animals in Japan, covering everything from Japan’s unique pet culture and market to the latest technology. In part 1 we had an overview of the laws regarding pets, and part 2 explored the pet-tech landscape. No, in the final installment, we will look at breeders and how Japanese horse racing is quietly becoming a cultural export.

The United States continues to top the global rankings, but China is closing in rapidly and Europe is making its mark with a few surprises.

A series exploring domestic animals in Japan, covering everything from Japan’s unique pet culture and market to the latest technology. In part 1 we have an overview of the laws regarding pets. Part 2 explores the trends, technologies, and companies shaping Japan’s evolving pet-tech landscape.

A series exploring domestic animals in Japan, covering everything from Japan’s unique pet culture and market to the latest technology. In part 1 we have an overview of the laws regarding pets.

In this guest article from JETRO, our guest authors explain why foreign startups aiming to enter Japan must understand Japan's legal requirements before offering products or services in the Japanese market. This article focuses on APPI, an area of particular relevance to overseas startups such as SaaS providers, and highlights key differences between APPI and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”).

Tokyo remains, without question, Japan's largest startup city. But in tech fields that require years, sometimes decades, of sustained research and development, Kyoto has developed a distinct and increasingly visible edge. Add in a creative industry built on gaming and traditional performing arts, and a city long associated with names like Nintendo and Omron starts to look less like a historical curiosity and more like a serious technology hub.

How is one startup building the bridge between centuries-old Japanese master artisans and the global marketplace? In this interview, we sit down with Hana, founder and CEO of OTO, to go in-depth on how she is scaling traditional Japanese craftsmanship globally. From navigating complex supplier relationships with rural artisans to building a modern B2B platform for international buyers, Hana breaks down what it takes to turn cultural heritage into a sustainable global business.

JETRO reports on the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), a pioneering graduate university in Japan that brings together researchers from around the world in an interdisciplinary environment designed to advance science and technology. Founded by the Japanese government, OIST was established not only to contribute to science and technology worldwide but also to help catalyze technology transfer, industrial innovation, and economic development in Okinawa.

Inside the historic Kanze Noh Theater in Tokyo, FINOPITCH 2026 unfolded in quiet intensity. On a stage known for slow, deliberate movement and layered meaning, startups from Japan and abroad stepped forward one by one, presenting their technologies and services. JETRO guest reports.

In part two of our deep dive into Tokyo’s coworking scene we review three more coworking spaces—positive and negative—to help you find the perfect place for you.