Showing 25–48 of 223
Stories
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
InsightHow Physical AI is transforming elder care in the world's most aged society
At first glance, the phrase “Japan and Physical AI” may sound somewhat paradoxical, since Japan is often ranked among the slowest adopters of AI technologies among advanced economies. Whether in generative AI utilization or software-based AI development, the country is frequently portrayed as having fallen behind the digital transformation wave. How, then, could Japan emerge as a leader in Physical AI?
·Keito Okabe#AI.#Medical
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
InsightA practical guide to Japanese networking for overseas entrepreneurs
If you plan to build and grow your business in Japan for the mid-long term, learning Japanese will definitely help you work here, as it helps you move faster and build trust. In the startup scene especially, being able to explain your product in Japanese and building friendly relationships are the first steps to diving into the community and earning trust.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Ecosystem.#Networking
InsightWearable tech and Japan
This article explores the evolution of Japan's wearable technology market from this perspective and develops the idea that conceptual fashion is a core requirement for the next stage of growth.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Jewelry.#Technology.#Market Insight
InsightiCONM: Where the Future Biotech Takes Shape
Guest authors Hiroshi Atsumi & Miho Kiyokawa tell us about the vision and purpose of the Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), a medical deeptech research hub in Kawasaki.
·Blackbox Contributor#Research.#Medical.#DeepTech
InsightNavigating Japan’s fintech landscape: a practical guide for global entrepreneurs
Japan’s fintech sector is entering a new phase. Backed by government growth strategies, regulatory reform, and structural macroeconomic shifts, the country offers a distinctive opportunity for international startups and investors. This article provides an overview of what global entrepreneurs should know.
·Blackbox Contributor#Finance.#Fintech
InterviewUnlocking Japan’s Healthcare Potential: Dr. Yoshiki Sawa’s Vision for a Global Innovation Hub at Nakanoshima Qross
Japan’s startup ecosystem—especially in deeptech and healthcare—has seen both its share of successes and challenges. At the center of a bold attempt to reshape that landscape stands Dr. Yoshiki Sawa, a pioneer in regenerative medicine and one of the driving forces behind Osaka’s newest life sciences hub, Nakanoshima Qross. Soft-spoken and self-effacing, Dr. Sawa describes himself as “just a small player.” Yet his decades of experience, global exposure, and hard-earned achievements tell a very different story. Through Nakanoshima Qross, he is attempting nothing less than a structural transformation of how Japan brings healthcare innovation to the world.
·Mari Matsuzaki#Interview.#DeepTech.#healthcare.#Academic
InterviewHe Screamed a Founder's Name on a San Francisco Street. Here's Why That Matters for Japan's Startup Scene.
We sit down with Antti and Kensuske of Takeoff Tokyo to talk about their event, its goals, and the health & future of the Japanese startup scene.
·Hikaru Nagashima#Events.#Ecosystem.#Interview.#Startup Support
InsightCreative Tech Shibuya 2026: residency program & visa support for entrepreneurs
An event report of Creative Tech Shibuya 2026, from one of its organizers. With this year marking the launch of the five-day residency program, we take a look a how events like this can survive in Japan's changing legislative environment.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Event Report.#Ecosystem
InterviewInterview with Manish Biyani, Founder & CEO of BioSeeds
Building global deeptech from regional Japan
·Blackbox Contributor#Ecosystem.#Sustainability.#DeepTech
InsightVideo Games part 3: Japanese market and trends
In our third and final installment on Japan's game industry, we dig into the different companies, organizations, and publishers moving to take advantage of the changing business landscape of the game industry.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Game/E-sports.#Ecosystem
InterviewInterview with Waka Someno of YOUNEEDS: paving the way for foreign businesses
Waka Someno launched YOUNEEDS to smooth the way for foreign business owners in Japan. We it down to hear about some of the common pitfalls people face.
·Anne Mimuro#Interview.#Ecosystem.#Businessadvisory
InsightThe most ecological garment you've never worn
If a Silicon Valley startup pitched a modular, century-lasting, fully recyclable, luxury piece of clothing, VCs would be throwing money at it. But what if it already existed?
·Hikaru Nagashima#Sustainability.#Fashion.#Culture
InterviewInterview with Nick Hafner, Refined Robotics
Today we sit down with Nick Hafner, CEO and co-founder of Refined Robotics, to talk about his startup journey in Japan—from academia in Osaka to boots on the ground in Tokyo.
·Rob Chapman#Accelerator.#DeepTech.#Interview.#Founder Story
InsightVideo games part 2: indie games and ecosystem support
In part 2 of our video game series of articles, we take a look at Japanese indie games and some of the support systems and accelerators helping them make their dreams into reality.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Accelerator.#Game/E-sports
InsightWhat traditional games tell us about Japan
Traditional Japanese games remain an important part of Japan’s cultural background, with many still played today—especially at traditional events. But what can they teach us about the Japanese psyche?
·Tatsuya Yajima#Culture.#History.#Unboxing Japan
InsightJapan’s Blue Economy part 4: potential
This article marks the final part of a four-part series exploring Japan’s blue economy from different topics. As global attention turns toward sustainable ocean industries, Japan is working to revitalize its blue economy — a key sector that links the nation’s tradition, technology, and future growth.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Agriculture.#Sustainability.#Ecosystem
InsightVideo games part 1: toward a personalized gaming experience
We have a look at how Japan has historically led the world in video games since the introduction of the Famicom in 1983, and how modern Japanese companies are keeping up with global trends and technology.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Game/E-sports.#Unboxing Japan.#Technology
InsightDIG SHIBUYA 2026: Shibuya Becomes a Living Lab for Art × Technology
We dig into DIG Shibuya 2026 to see what they have in store for us in this year's Shibuya street art/tech takeover!
·Rob Chapman#Art.#Technology.#Ecosystem
InsightJapan's blue economy part 3: fishing
In part 3 of our es on Japan's blue economy we turn to the fishing industry: its ups and downs over the years, and how Japanese startups are tackling the region's unique challenges.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Agriculture.#Sustainability
InterviewInterview with Jordan Fisher: co-founder and chairman of Zehitomo, venture partner at Antler Japan, mad genius of the Japan startup ecosystem
OK OK, he’s not actually mad. But he is a man beset by visions. Today Blackbox sits down with Jordan Fisher, a New-York–born engineer, longtime Japan resident, co-founder of Zehitomo, and a prominent voice in Japan’s evolving startup ecosystem.
·Rob Chapman#Accelerator.#Founder Story.#Ecosystem