Mitsui Sumitomo Bank opened a new hub in the Kansai region by July to nurture startups. The office is located within the JAM BASE facility, a public-private-academic collaboration space in the new district of Grand Green Osaka in Osaka's downtown Umeda region. The hub aims to promote cutting-edge technologies developed at local universities to encourage researchers and students to start their own businesses. It also serves as a mediator to facilitate collaboration between emerging companies and large corporations.

Toshihiro Michioka, Deputy President, recently explained the details of the new hub. Michioka assumed the role of Representative Director and Deputy President Executive Officer in April 2025. The new hub consists of a coworking office, meeting rooms, and event spaces. It will also serve as a networking hub for Mitsui Sumitomo Bank's clients and JAM BASE members.

Five bank employees are assigned as staff. While the initial plan called for a smaller staff, Director Toshihiro Michioka decided to increase the number of personnel, stating, “A half-hearted lineup would not function properly.”

“The fact that universities and other institutions possess a wealth of deeptech is a strength for the Kansai economy,” he explained, “but it takes time to leverage such technology to launch a company and put it on a growth trajectory through an IPO or other means.”

‍