Showing 169–192 of 246
Stories
InsightUniversity support for startups
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has been implementing various measures to support the creation and growth of university-based startups.
·Sayaka Kito#Academic.#CommunityEngagement.#Education.#Innovation
InsightRide-Sharing in Japan
Using smartphone apps to match private car owners with passengers ushered in the gig economy, changing not just how people think about taxis and transportation but a slew of other industries as well. Major platform providers like Uber and Lyft from the U.S. and Didi from China are poster children of the tech unicorn — but how have they fared in Japan?
·Sayaka Kito#Market Insight.#Mobility.#Technology
InsightSendai — Moving Mountains in the Wake of an Earthquake
Sendai City, which bore the brunt of a 2011 megaquake, is on the front line of defense against future disasters.
·Arata Ida#Energy.#Smart Society
InsightStartup Visa in Japan
You have an idea for a business, but you haven't taken the first step yet? That's okay! There is a chance to come to Japan and start a business. The “Startup Visa” is a new visa category that will help you realize your dreams.
·Sayaka Kito#Foreigner Support.#Startup Support.#WorkVisa
InsightVTubers are changing the otaku market in Japan
VTubers are reshaping global entertainment, blending anime, gaming, and idol culture into a rapidly expanding market that transcends borders, with Japan at the forefront of this digital revolution.
·Sayaka Kito#Entertainment.#Game/E-sports.#Market Insight.#XR
InsightEvent Report: BLAST Setouchi Oita
Setouchi Blast fosters community in the Setouchi area. It is a place where you can experience attractive remote islands, art and culture.
·Mari Matsuzaki#Art.#CommunityEngagement.#Event Report.#Networking
InsightHiroshima Unicorn 10 Tokyo Pitch @ TiB
Check out the 11 Hiroshima Unicorn 10 adopted startups
·Hikaru Nagashima#Accelerator.#CommunityEngagement.#Event Report.#Startup Pitch
InsightUnboxing Japan - Blood Types
In Japan, personality diagnosis based on blood type is believed in. Do you know your blood type?
·Hikaru Nagashima#Unboxing Japan.#Entertainment.#life sciences.#Wellbeing
InsightJapanese government actively seeking overseas talent to promote “internal internationalization”
What is the 'internal internationalization' being promoted by the Japanese government? Let's take a closer look at the new opportunities and appeal for overseas human resources.
·Hikaru Nagashima#Accelerator.#CommunityEngagement.#Foreigner Support.#Market Insight
InsightUnboxing: new series begins!
Want to know more about Japanese culture? Then let's open the black box together.
·Hikaru Nagashima#Market Insight
InsightCoL part 2: expenses
Is the cost of living in Tokyo really that high? As a matter of fact, there are ways to live in Tokyo on a budget with a little ingenuity.
·Blackbox Contributor#digital nomads.#Market Insight
InsightCoL Tokyo Part 1: Housing
How much does it actually cost to live in Tokyo, the capital of Japan?
·Blackbox Contributor#Market Insight
InsightCannabis in Japan: Reviving Tradition
Historically, the Japanese have a close relationship with Cannabis. There is a sacred and lofty connection that transcends religion.
·Hikaru Nagashima#Market Insight.#Science .#Wellbeing
InsightHokkaido's startup ecosystem: support, visas, and networking
Hokkaido offers affordable living, stunning natural beauty, and a supportive startup ecosystem for foreign entrepreneurs. With a dedicated Startup Visa, STARTUP HOKKAIDO provides assistance in English, networking events, and a hub ("Shakouba Young") connecting startups, investors, and local businesses. Ideal for startups aiming to grow globally!
·Sayaka Kito#WorkVisa.#CommunityEngagement.#Foreigner Support.#Market Insight
InterviewKathy Liu (Plug and Play Japan)
We spoke with Kathy Liu, Head of the Osaka branch at Plug and Play Japan. Based in Silicon Valley, Plug and Play is a leading global accelerator and venture capital firm. The Osaka branch is actively collaborating with OIH on initiatives to revitalize Osaka, and we spoke to her about these efforts.
#Interview
Insight2025 February: the Japanese startup event triple feature
In February 2025, three large-scale startup events will be held around Japan; in Aichi, Shibuya, and Hokkaido — hosted by the local governments of each region.
#Event Report
InterviewNae Nakamura (Osaka Innovation Hub)
The blackbox editorial team visited Japan’s second-largest city, Osaka. They interviewed the “OIH,” an innovation creation center established by Osaka City in 2013.OIH is located in the Grand Front Osaka complex in Umeda and operates under the theme “From Osaka to the World.” It serves as a gathering place for entrepreneurs and technologists, supporting the creation of new businesses and their scale-up efforts. Through approximately 200 events and programs annually, OIH facilitates the exchange of diverse people and ideas, contributing to developing an innovation ecosystem in the Kansai region.For this interview, Nae Nakamura, the director of OIH’s Startup Support Division, discussed the organization’s activities and Osaka’s appeal.
#Interview
InsightHow to!? Connect with Japanese Startups and Community
Over the past few years, the Japanese startup scene has grown by leaps and bounds. Despite the pandemic, Japanese startups have attracted a strong flow of investment capital from both the federal and local governments. Please read on for a summary of how to connect with Japanese startups, entrepreneurs, and jobs!
·Blackbox Contributor#Accelerator.#co-working.#Events.#Foreigner Support
InterviewIgor Voroshilov (Supasaito Inc.)
We spoke with Igor Voroshilov, the Russian founder of Supasaito which specializes in web development and education using Webflow and other NoCode and AI tools. Supasaito offers professional web development services for Japanese startups and large companies, so we asked about how his business was founded.
#Founder Story
InsightOsaka's startup ecosystem: support, visas, and networking
Clarify the ecosystem of Osaka, a city with affordable living costs, excellent business support, and active startup events.
·Sayaka Kito#Accelerator.#CommunityEngagement.#Foreigner Support.#Market Insight
InterviewYosuke Kaneko (SORA Technology)
SORA Technology is a startup that is using drone technology to tackle challenges in developing countries. We spoke with CEO Yosuke Kaneko about the company's founding and his message for entrepreneurs.
#Founder Story
InterviewRyuji Ikoma (SAKE HUNDRED｜Clear inc.)
We spoke to Ryuji Ikoma, CEO of Clear Inc., a company with the vision of "Creating the Future of Sake."
#Founder Story
InsightIVS 2024 KYOTO / IVS Crypto 2024 KYOTO
IVS 2024 KYOTO / IVS Crypto 2024 KYOTO, Japan's largest startup conference for entrepreneurs and investors, was held for three days from July 4 to 6, 2024, at Kyoto Pulse Plaza.
·Blackbox Contributor#Event Report.#Events
InterviewKento & Egor (Japan’s Venture Academy)
Japan's Venture Academy (JVA) is an organization managed mainly with a focus on Tokyo students, with support from Shibuya City, aiming to cultivate entrepreneurship through a student-oriented 3-month fellowship. We spoke with core members Kento Akiyama and Egor Sheverev about why they launched JVA and the details of their activities.
#Startup Support.#Founder Story