Showing 121–144 of 246
Stories
InsightShisha is booming in Japan. But why?
In the Japanese capital of Tokyo, the number of shisha shops has surpassed the number of Starbucks and McDonalds in the past few years. How has this rapid trend come about?
·Hikaru Nagashima#Unboxing Japan.#InternationalExchange.#CommunityEngagement.#Entertainment
InsightStartup Ecosystem in Yokohama City
Yokohama City has built a diverse ecosystem that provides support to both domestic and international entrepreneurs and startups, making it an attractive city, especially for foreign entrepreneurs.
·Sayaka Kito#Entrepreneurship.#InternationalExchange.#Foreigner Support.#Incubation
InsightKyoto: a haven for creative inspiration and mindful living
Kyoto’s hidden paths, Zen meditation, tea ceremonies, and traditional crafts all inspire creativity, fostering mindfulness and fueling entrepreneurial growth.
·Blackbox Contributor#Entrepreneurship.#Art.#Education.#InternationalExchange
InsightKyoto: the heart of Japanese culture
Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, is renowned for its millennia-long cultural and political significance. The city is home to some of Japan’s most iconic landmarks, such as Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu-dera, Ryoan-ji, and Fushimi Inari Shrine, all of which serve as stunning examples of Japan’s architectural and spiritual heritage. However, Kyoto’s appeal extends far beyond its historic temples and shrines.
#Entrepreneurship.#InternationalExchange.#Startup Support.#Foreigner Support
InterviewBuilding Food Service Infrastructure: funfo's Mobile Ordering System Driving Restaurant DX
In Kyoto, a startup company called ”funfo” is providing mobile ordering systems for restaurants. Founders Mr. Qiao and Mr. Wang started the company with four other members during their graduate studies, driven by a desire to support digital transformation in the restaurant industry.
#Entrepreneurship.#Founder Story.#SaaS.#Food
InsightTsukuba: city of research
we learned Tsukuba’s claim to fame: having more researchers per capita than any other city in Japan. But how did the city come to be a thriving center of research and technology?
·Arata Ida#Science .#Space.#Academic.#Mobility
InsightTsukuba: city of science and technology
Located about 50 km from Tokyo, Tsukuba City is not exactly famous among tourists. However, it does have a reputation among scientists and researchers, being home to one of Japan's leading universities, the University of Tsukuba, as well as many national and corporate research institutes.
·Arata Ida#Entrepreneurship.#Science .#Innovation.#Consortium
InterviewCreating "Business Entertainment" in the Spatial Computing Era
Yuki Kobayashi, CEO of MESON, is pioneering a new era of spatial computing. With the advent of the Apple Vision Pro, he is developing "business entertainment experiences" as a new form of corporate presentation while simultaneously advancing a digital interior platform for general consumers as a new business venture.
#AR.#XR.#Entertainment.#Founder Story
InterviewCreating a New Model for Regional Revitalization: An Interview with Hiroki Suezaki of B-biz LINK on Beppu City's Startup Ecosystem
A unique startup support initiative is underway in Beppu City, the hot spring town with a population of 110,000. B-biz Link, established in 2017 as the operational arm for the "Tourism Valley Initiative," leading in this effort.
#Startup Support.#Incubation.#RegionalRevitalization.#co-working
InterviewExpanding the Potential of International Talent - Emunitas Inc.
We spoke with Masubuchi and Luan, Co-Founders and COOs of Emunitas, a company building a platform connecting global talent with Japanese businesses. They shared with us their founding story, business development, and the potential of startups based in Beppu.
#InternationalExchange.#Innovation.#Education.#StudentVisa
InsightLocal problems, local solutions
One of the great advantages of startups, with their scrappy, disruptor attitude and grassroots beginnings (often getting started in a living room or garage), is their ability to approach local problems from an innovative angle.
·Sayaka Kito#Startup Support.#Food.#climatechange.#Sustainability
InsightFukuoka: A city loved by locals
A recent survey by Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting, a Japanese think tank, revealed how much Fukuoka City is loved by locals. In fact, the city ranked first in the nation in terms of “attachment” and “pride” felt by its residents. In this article, we will find out why the people of Fukuoka love their hometown.
·Arata Ida#Food.#Culture.#History.#Tourism
InterviewEmpowering Rural Agriculture: Making AI-Powered Farm Robots the Future Standard
"The key to innovation is finding practical applications for advanced technology in unexpected places."
#Startup Support.#Innovation.#Foreigner Support.#Agriculture
InsightHamamatsu: where innovation and quality living come together
Hamamatsu is the birthplace of globally recognized companies like Yamaha, Kawai, Roland, Suzuki, and Hamamatsu Photonics, the city has left an impressive mark on industries ranging from musical instruments to optics and automobiles.
·Blackbox Contributor#Startup Support.#Incubation.#Entrepreneurship.#WorkVisa
InsightHamamatsu: a global hub for musical instruments and sound technology
Despite its relatively modest size, Hamamatsu is home to several globally leading companies. Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, and Hamamatsu Photonics were all founded here and have grown into internationally recognized brands.
·Blackbox Contributor#Innovation.#InternationalExchange.#Music.#Culture
InterviewBuilding a Startup Ecosystem Through Proof-of-Concept Experiments and Business Matching - Mr. Iida (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka)
As Hamamatsu City takes on the challenge of creating an innovative ecosystem connecting local government, startups and regional businesses, unique initiatives like "HamaHub!" are leading the way in promoting proof-of-concept experiments and business matching.
#Startup Support.#InternationalExchange.#Incubation.#matching
InterviewTackling Global Food Crisis with Plant-Based Foods: dishwill CEO on the Future of Food and Entrepreneurial Philosophy
In a world where over 800 million people face food insecurity and the global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, food production is reaching its limits. Japanese plant-based food company dishwill approaches this crisis with a unique perspective.
#Entrepreneurship.#Food.#Sustainability.#Innovation
InterviewInnovating Disaster Prevention AI Technology to Protect Urban Infrastructure's Future - Korean Entrepreneur Jongduk Aaron Park of Soteria8 Co. Ltd.
As climate change increases disaster risks, addressing aging urban infrastructure has become an urgent challenge. Leading this challenge is Mr. Park Jongduk, CEO of a disaster prevention AI company based in Hamamatsu City.
#Innovation.#AI.#Robotics.#Energy
InsightHiroshima: contributing to peace and the environment
My interest in the themes of war and peace began during a school trip to Nagasaki. As a young student, visiting the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum left an indelible mark on my mind.
·Marin Shin#Innovation.#Sustainability.#Art.#Wellbeing
InsightHiroshima: supporting future business in the shadow of the atomic bomb
Hiroshima Prefecture is located in the Chugoku region on the western side of Honshu, the main island of Japan, and has prospered as a checkpoint connecting the north and south of the country. Hiroshima City, which is the location of the prefectural government, has a unique history.
·Marin Shin#Innovation.#Startup Support.#Entrepreneurship.#Tourism
Interview"Towards Safe Maritime Navigation: Making Autonomous Navigation the Global Standard" Yujin Kimura, Eight Knot
Fascinated by his beloved sea, Kimura founded his company after a "terrible" first sailing experience. We spoke with him about his challenges in developing the autonomous navigation platform "Eight Knot AI CAPTAIN" to make maritime navigation safer worldwide, how he overcame those obstacles, and his message for future entrepreneurs.
#Founder Story.#Innovation.#Mobility.#Funding
InterviewNagoya's Vision for a Manufacturing-led Startup Future - Toshio Sumi (City of Nagoya)
Nagoya, Japan's manufacturing heartland, is building a new startup ecosystem. We interviewed Toshio Sumi, the first director of the Startup Support Division established five years ago, about initiatives to foster regional innovation.
#Interview.#Startup Support.#Innovation.#Mobility
InsightNagoya’s culture and cuisine
Located right at the heart of Japan, between Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya bridges East and West Japan both geographically and culturally. This central positioning has created a blend of traditions and influences, resulting in a unique and harmonious cultural identity. While Nagoya may not be as popular a tourist destination as Kyoto or Tokyo, those who visit quickly discover its charm—particularly through its vibrant food scene.
·Yoshimi Imada#Food.#Tourism.#Market Insight
InterviewPassion for Problem-Solving Leads the Way to Next-Generation Heat Dissipation Materials - Kenji Nishitani, CEO of U-MAP
As heat dissipation in electronic devices becomes an increasingly critical issue with the proliferation of data centers, EVs, and AI, we spoke with Kenji Nishitani, CEO of U-MAP, about his entrepreneurial journey, the company's unique materials technology, and his vision for the future of Japanese manufacturing.
#Founder Story.#Material.#Innovation.#Technology