Showing 97–120 of 246
Stories
InsightShort-form video and the rise of the “Short Drama”
Short dramas—bite-sized episodes lasting seconds to minutes—are rapidly gaining global traction, fueled by the rise of short-form videos on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Originating in China’s online fiction culture, the market reached about $5 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit $14 billion by 2027. Japan is now seeing similar momentum, with over half of users aged 15–49 regularly watching short videos. New apps like Fany:D, BUMP, POPCORN, and UniReel are emerging, signaling a transformation in storytelling, advertising, and media consumption as short-form narratives become a defining force in global entertainment.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Culture.#Entertainment.#Media
InterviewYuko Mishio: CEO of Impact HUB Tokyo
Yuko Mishio, CEO of Impact HUB Tokyo, shares her journey from studying and working across Europe to leading one of Japan’s most vibrant coworking and incubation spaces. Rooted in an old print factory, Impact HUB Tokyo fosters entrepreneurs, artists, and changemakers through co-working, a community café, and an upcoming artist-in-residence program. Mishio highlights Japan’s structured yet slow-moving business culture, the growing opportunities for startups, and the importance of resilience in times of change. Her vision is to create a supportive space where creativity and entrepreneurship intersect, encouraging young generations to embrace risk and shape society.
·Blackbox Contributor#Art.#co-working.#Incubation.#Interview
InsightJapan’s AI Journey: Past Lessons, Future Potential
Japan’s AI journey spans decades, from early machine translation and the 1980s Fifth Generation Computer Project to today’s generative AI startups. Despite less global visibility, Japan has steadily advanced with a focus on language, logic, and practical applications. Companies like Sakana AI, Preferred Networks, ABEJA, and Jitera are leading efforts in foundation models, robotics, business solutions, and low-code platforms. Challenges include limited Japanese training data, but this also creates opportunities for specialization. Backed by partnerships with corporations, universities, and global investors, Japan’s AI ecosystem is growing and positioning itself as a unique, collaborative force in the global AI landscape.
·Kazuma Tamura#AI.#DX.#History.#IT
InterviewAndy from Hungry Osaka Tours
Andy Watanabe, owner of Hungry Osaka Tours, shares his journey from teaching in Japan to running his own tour company. Originally from Europe, he moved to Japan “for a year” but stayed 25. After teaching and opening an English school, he shifted to tour guiding in Osaka, focusing on high-quality, bilingual experiences. Andy notes challenges with bureaucracy and banks as a foreign entrepreneur but highlights his wife’s support and the importance of learning Japanese. His advice: respect local customs, make the effort, and people will support you—success in Japan comes from hard work and gratitude.
·Rob Chapman#Founder Story.#Food.#Tourism
InterviewKomei Sasaki, CEO of Redcliff Inc: Realizing Japan's Largest Drone Show
Redcliff Inc., led by CEO Sasaki, achieved Japan’s largest drone show with 2,200 drones. Inspired by global travels and work at DJI, Sasaki founded the company in 2019. Despite strict Japanese regulations, Redcliff innovates by integrating drones with fireworks and aims to expand internationally as an aerial advertising media leader.
·Blackbox Contributor#Innovation.#Technology
InsightLocal Stories Go Global: The Rising Reach of Japanese TV Dramas
Japanese TV dramas have historically struggled overseas, with anime making up 90% of broadcast content exports. Short formats and domestic sponsor focus limited global appeal. However, streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ have boosted visibility, with hits like House of Ninjas, Alice in Borderland, and SHOGUN. Remakes and international co-productions are increasing, while complex rights management remains a challenge. Japanese viewers now access dramas via diverse VOD services. Broadcasters are adapting by expanding distribution and collaborating with global partners. With continued innovation, Japan’s drama industry is poised to grow as a global entertainment force.
·Tatsuya Yajima#Culture.#History.#Media
InterviewModernizing banking for foreigners in Japan: Raul Allikivi, CEO of GIG-A
Estonian entrepreneur Raul Allikivi founded GIG-A to modernize banking for foreigners in Japan. He shares his insights on Japan's startup ecosystem, cultural challenges, and the need for trust-based digital services. His vision is to make Japan—and eventually all of Asia—more accessible for migrants through multilingual fintech solutions.
·Blackbox Contributor#Entrepreneurship.#Founder Story.#Startup Support
InsightMore Than Convenience: Japan's Food Delivery Transformation
Japan’s food delivery culture, rooted in Edo-period demae, has evolved from community-based hospitality to a highly digitalized ecosystem. The rise of platforms like Uber Eats and Demaekan, accelerated by COVID-19, transformed the market. Today, aggregators, logistics firms, and autonomous delivery technologies reshape operations, making Japan a global testbed for delivery innovation.
·Kazuma Tamura#DX.#Food.#Technology
InsightFast Casual and SaaS: Reshaping Japan's Restaurant Service
Japan’s restaurant industry is evolving with fast casual dining and restaurant SaaS. Brands like Crisp Salad Works and UMAMI BURGER blend tech and quality meals. Startups such as Dinii, Toreta, and TableCheck offer digital tools for orders, payments, and reservations—reshaping the food service experience with efficiency and personalization.
·Kazuma Tamura#DX.#Food.#SaaS
InterviewBuilding a Future Startup Ecosystem from Kitakyushu - The Challenge of COMPASS Kokura
Located in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, the coworking space "COMPASS" functions not only as a workspace but as an incubation facility nurturing the next generation of startups. We spoke with Mr. Fukuoka, the operations manager who is striving to create a new wave of innovation in Kitakyushu, a city known for manufacturing, about the reality of startup support and the potential for regional business creation.
#Entrepreneurship.#co-working.#Incubation.#Startup Support
InterviewInnovating Translation Technology from a Global Perspective: Interview with Suguru Sakanishi, CEO of Yaraku, Inc.
Yaraku, Inc. is supporting multilingual corporate communication with its unique CAT (Computer Assisted Translation) tool that combines machine translation with human expertise. We spoke with CEO Suguru Sakanishi about his entrepreneurial experience in America, his current business and his vision for the future. From a business that began on a drunken impulse to building a diverse global team
#AI.#SaaS.#Entrepreneurship.#Founder Story
InterviewConnecting with the World through Japanese Craftsmanship - Monozukuri Ventures Founder Shares His Entrepreneurial Journey
Monozukuri Ventures has built an innovative ecosystem connecting Silicon Valley startups with Japanese small and medium manufacturing enterprises. We spoke with the founder about his journey that began with a passion for regional revitalization, the strengths and potential of Japanese manufacturing, and how Japanese companies can compete in the global arena.
#Entrepreneurship.#Interview.#InternationalExchange.#Investor Support
InsightHololive’s IPO: why a virtual talent agency became a real‐world market darling
On March 27, 2023, Cover Corporation, the operator of Hololive, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Growth Market with a market capitalization of 70 billion yen. This marked the world's first IPO for a company specializing in virtual talent. The company's vertically integrated “content × tech” model, which includes owning avatar IP and in-house development of motion capture and streaming infrastructure, was recognized by the capital market.
·Hikaru Nagashima#Entertainment.#Finance.#Funding.#XR
InsightJapan's food self-sufficiency and agriculture-related startups
A food self-sufficiency rate shows how much food a country produces compared to what it consumes. It’s an important way to understand a country’s food security and resilience, especially during global crises like wars, pandemics, or climate change. This has become more important in recent years.
·Kazuma Tamura#Agriculture.#Food.#Sustainability.#Innovation
InsightStartup Visas in Japan: what’s new in 2025
At Blackbox, we've previously written about Japan’s Startup Visa, a visa program that smooths the way for foreign entrepreneurs interested in launching a business in Japan. Until recently, this visa was only available in selected cities, and was valid for only an initial six months.
·Kazuma Tamura#Entrepreneurship.#Startup Support.#WorkVisa.#ForeignerSupportServices
InsightUnboxing Japan _ Zen
Zen or Zazen refers to the teachings and philosophy of the Zen sect of Buddhism. It expresses a free mind that is not bound by anything, especially attachments to material things.
·Hikaru Nagashima#Culture.#Unboxing Japan.#Wellbeing
InsightNFTs with Real World Assets in Japan’s art & culture scene
With the release of the ERC-721 standard on Ethereum in 2017, NFT art projects like CryptoKitties and CryptoPunks quickly captured global attention, and celebrities, artists, and companies worldwide started generating their own NFTs at an enormous rate. This led to the NFT boom of the early 2020s, of which you are undoubtedly familiar.
·Tatsuya Yajima#NFT.#Blockchain.#Web3.#Art
InsightShibuya: The Gateway to Tokyo's Startup Success
When you think of Shibuya, images of the famous Scramble Crossing and the Hachiko statue might come to mind. Yet beneath its reputation as a youth culture mecca and tourist destination, Shibuya is rapidly emerging as one of Japan's most dynamic startup ecosystems, with a distinct focus on diversity and global scope.
·Yoshimi Imada#Entrepreneurship.#Startup Support.#InternationalExchange.#co-working
InsightJapan’s Bold Startup Gamble: 100 Unicorns in 5 Years
The Japanese government announced its ‘Startup Development Five-year Plan’ in November 2022. Now-former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida presented the Five-Year Startup Plan as part of his grand design for a new form of capitalism in Japan. While Abenomics led to higher stock prices and corporate profits, it did not translate into higher wages.
·Arata Ida#Entrepreneurship.#Startup Support.#Investor Support.#Funding
InsightJapan’s Manga Industry: The Digital Shift and Rise of AI-Powered Localization
The Japanese manga (comics) industry is experiencing a rapid transformation. The shift from print to digital continues to accelerate, while global revenue structures are also evolving. This article explores the current state of Japan’s manga industry, its challenges, and what the future may hold.
·Kazuma Tamura#Art.#AI.#Technology.#InternationalExchange
InterviewThe Frozen Food Revolution: Preserving the Value of Food
The Challenge of Next-Generation Freezing Technology to Protect "Deliciousness" - Masayuki Kinoshita, CEO of Daybreak Inc.
#Food.#Sustainability.#Founder Story.#Designing
InterviewTokyo Innovation Base (TIB): Creating Value Through Connections
In Japan, where population decline is a pressing issue, startups are seen as the key to the country's economic growth. In 2023, The Tokyo Metropolitan Government established "Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB)," Japan's largest startup support hub.
#Startup Support.#Incubation.#Networking.#CommunityEngagement
InsightTokyo: a world-leading city
Tokyo was named the world's best trending destination in Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations 2024. The number of foreign tourists visiting Tokyo has been increasing rapidly in recent years, with the city ranking 4th in the “Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023” published by Euromonitor International. Tokyo is attracting increasing attention.
·Arata Ida#Mobility.#Food.#Market Insight.#Tourism
InsightTokyo, the heart of Japan
An explanation of the innovation ecosystem that is spreading in Tokyo, the premier destination for start-ups.
·Arata Ida#Entrepreneurship.#Startup Support.#Investor Support.#InternationalExchange