Showing 1–24 of 217
Stories
InsightWhy Japan's Best and Brightest All Want the Same Job
Staff Writer Anne Mimuro brings us a refreshingly honest take on Japan's recruitment culture, based off her recent firsthand experience (congratulations, Anne!)
·Anne Mimuro#Culture.#Ecosystem
InsightCES 2026: humanoid robots, AI agents, and deep tech
Media partner Startupbusiness.it brings us their report from CES 2026 in Las Vegas, where JETRO also arranged a significant Japanese presence.
·Blackbox Contributor#Event Report.#DeepTech.#AI.#Robotics
InterviewEric Haywood: Why Global Investors Are Looking at Japan
Boston-based investor Eric Haywood shares his perspective on Japan’s evolving startup ecosystem and why global investors are increasingly recognizing its untapped technological potential.
·Ryoko Motohata#International.#VC.#Funding
InsightJapan is moving into Southeast Asia faster than the West, and most brands haven’t noticed yet
Japanese brands are expanding across Southeast Asia as rising consumer demand shifts investment beyond manufacturing and into local markets.
·Blackbox Contributor#Ecosystem
InterviewTakashi Miki, CEO of Solid Surface: the focus is not on robots, but on ‘operation’
We are increasingly seeing food-serving and cleaning robots on our streets. However, it is still difficult to say that robots have become widely established in our work and daily lives. Takashi Miki, CEO of Solid Surface, believes the reason for this lies not in the performance of the robots themselves, but in the ‘operations’ required to ensure they continue to be used effectively on site. Solid State does not manufacture the robots themselves: instead, it provides an operational platform that connects multiple robots from different manufacturers with people, building infrastructure and the cloud, enabling them to operate in a way that suits the specific site. We spoke to Mr Miki at the company’s Haneda Innovation City office.
·Taiki Iwasaki#AI.#Robotics
InsightHigh Density, High Stakes: AI Expo Japan 2026 and the Frontier of Physical AI
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.
·Anne Mimuro#AI.#SaaS.#Ecosystem.#Event Report
InsightCoworking Spaces: Tokyo, part 3
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.
·Ryoko Motohata#Ecosystem
InsightAnimals and Japan part 3: breeders and horses in Japan
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.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Market Insight
InsightPitchbook: the mid-2026 ranking of VC startup ecosystems
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.
·Blackbox Contributor#Ecosystem.#VC.#Entrepreneurship
InsightAnimals and Japan part 2: pet-tech
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.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Market Insight
InsightAnimals and Japan part 1: pets
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.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Market Insight
InsightWhy global investors are looking to Kyoto's deeptech rise
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.
·Keito Okabe#DeepTech.#Market Insight.#Ecosystem
InterviewHana Himura, CEO of OTO: spreading Japanese traditional crafts to the world
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.
·Nalini Biniam#Interview.#Founder Story
InsightOIST: Building a Science and Innovation Hub in Okinawa
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.
·Blackbox Contributor#Ecosystem.#Accelerator
InsightJapan Fintech Week 2026: What FINOPITCH Reveals About Japan’s Fintech Shift
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.
·Blackbox Contributor#Finance.#Ecosystem.#Fintech.#Events
InsightCoworking Spaces: Tokyo, Part 2
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.
·Ryoko Motohata#co-working.#digital nomads.#Incubation
InsightIVS2026 event report: Japan is Back
“Japan is Back” was the theme of IVS2026, and in Kyoto, it felt like a signal. Over three days, more than 13,000 founders, investors, students, policymakers, and community builders came together for Japan’s largest startup conference. The size was impressive, but the structure behind it stood out more.
·Rob Chapman#Event Report.#Ecosystem.#DeepTech
InsightDigital Space Conference 2026: How Technology Operates on Infrastructure That Never Stops Moving
JETRO guest authors an event report for their visit to the Digital Space Conference 2026.
·Blackbox Contributor#Event Report.#Ecosystem.#DX
InsightWhen robots come home: reinventing domestic life & housekeeping with Physical AI
Japan has introduced numerous policies to combat its declining birthrate including childcare subsidies, expanded daycare capacity, and financial support for families. Yet fertility continues to fall, reaching a record-low total fertility rate of 1.20 in 2023. The reason may be simpler than economics: many couples just don’t feel they have the time or energy to raise another child. Is Physical AI the answer?
·Keito Okabe#AI.#Lifestlye
InsightContent Tokyo event report: where art meets tech
This year’s Content Tokyo took place from June 17th to June 19th at Tokyo Big Sight, bringing together the worlds of art & graphic design with a slew of technologies such as AR/VR and blockchain. Read about some of the highlights of our visit!
·Nalini Biniam#Event Report.#Events.#Art.#Ecosystem
InsightWhat AI and data startups must know before betting on Japan
Guest writer Masaru Ikeda brings us an overview of the Japanese AI startup ecosystem courtesy of JETRO.
·Blackbox Contributor#AI.#Ecosystem
InsightTIB CATAPULT Spotlight: How MoRo Is Accelerating Real-World Adoption of Mobility and Robotics Technologies
MoRo is an industry cluster focused on next-generation mobility and robotics, operating under Tokyo's TIB CATAPULT startup support program. Led by DMM and supported by a diverse network of corporate and institutional partners including Haneda Future Development, MoRo is designed to support startups throughout the entire commercialization journey, from technology development and field testing to initial deployment and international expansion.
·Rob Chapman#Accelerator.#Robotics.#DeepTech
InsightTokyo's 5G frontier: how the Japanese capital is building the infrastructure for next-gen tech
5G rarely gets the attention of AI or climate tech, but it may be the most consequential infrastructure investment of the decade. This article explores Tokyo's strategy for the sector and introduces the startups turning high-speed, low-latency connectivity into real businesses.
·Rob Chapman#5g.#Market Insight.#Telecommunications.#Robotics
InterviewBuilding Bridges Between Culture and Technology: Sara Doolotbekova of BeART World JAPAN
JETRO interviews Sara Doolotbekova, co-founder of BeART World JAPAN, on her founder's journey via the Startup Visa program in Hokkaido.
·Blackbox Contributor#Interview.#Founder Story