#Academic

Unlocking 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.

University of Tokyo opens applications for GCI World 2026

University of Tokyo professor secures Grantham Foundation grant for sustainable plastics

JETRO establishes Japan–Singapore university deeptech accelerator

University of Tokyo to establish new faculties in cutting-edge fields

Kansai deeptech steps onto the global stage with KSAC

In Japan’s Kansai region (which includes Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Shiga, and Nara), a quiet transformation is underway. Once defined by its manufacturing and trade, the region is now becoming a serious contender on the global deeptech stage—a shift driven in no small part by initiatives like the Kansai Startup Academia Coalition (KSAC).

KSAC: how Kansai universities are powering Japan’s deeptech future

Interview with Tatsuya Yoshida, Representative of the Kansai Startup Academia Coalition (KSAC).

IIFES 2025 – Innovative Industry Fair for E x E Solutions

Fujitsu developing world's most powerful quantum computer

Tottori University launches entrepreneurship event highlighting space and medical industries

Mitsui Sumitomo Bank to establish incubation center in Osaka

Japanese VCs closing gap on US with new, larger funds

KSAC DEMODAY 2025

SxPARK Fes 2025 – 「きみの“好き”が、社会を変える」

2025 US–Japan Healthcare Innovation Conference: Tokyo Executive Symposium

Sumitomo Mitsui Bank establishes startup incubator in Osaka

Chiba University and Chiba Bank establish 500 million yen startup fund

Kansai on track to create 2,100 startups in five years

Iwate's young people shine: creating the future through entrepreneurship and business skills

Mie University makes entrepreneurship education mandatory for all first-year students

TUAT to support new businesses in food and agriculture

Kyoto: 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.

Tsukuba: 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?

Tsukuba: 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.

NIKKEI THE PITCH Growth

Nagoya'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.

Passion 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.

From Tsukuba to the World's Premier Science City, Mr. Otsuka, Tsukuba Center Inc.

In Tsukuba, a city of 250,000 residents known as one of the world's leading research and development hubs, 29 national research institutions operate alongside 20,000 researchers.

From Disaster to Future: Sendai City's Startup Challenge - Koji Sakai (City of Sendai)

We spoke with Mr. Sakai from Sendai City about how the region's entrepreneurial support evolved after the earthquake, the growth of their unique startup ecosystem and their vision for the future.

Kyoto University opens startup lab

Aichi: Japan’s manufacturing hub

Deep Dive in Aichi Prefecture - This area, known around the world as the home of Toyota, is a fascinating area where the history of the Warring States period and cutting-edge industry intersect. The fusion of the atmosphere of a traditional castle town and the world-leading automobile and aerospace industries creates a unique vitality.

Aichi: lack of human resources barrier to growth

University 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.

Kyushu University to strengthen startup support with new funding cycle

Tohoku Impact Fund announces first investments

Uda City partners with with Estonia in tech initiative

Japan's largest startup hub STATION Ai opens

US-based SOZO Ventures establishes 11KS in Japan

Kyoto Research Park to strengthen startup efforts

Kyoto University accelerates creation of start-ups via ‘Visiting Entrepreneur’ program

Nagoya City supports innovation through collaboration with universities

Sendai launches HR development program for emerging countries

Shizuoka Prefecture launches multi-pronged marine DX development plan

Universities in the Tokai region strengthen support for entrepreneurship

University start-ups up 90% over five years, surging in rural areas

Fukushima Prefecture to host international research city

University of Tokyo opens another community base for university-related start-ups

Government-run Global Start-up Campus announced

Osaka Metropolitan University aims to foster 50 start-ups by 2030

Tokai National University Organisation holds a ceremony to mark the completion of TOIC, a centre for industry-academia collaboration

Japan Startup Ecosystem Report 2023

Keio University takes a step forward with new research center

Kanazawa City nurtures next-generation IT workers

Hamamatsu City and startups collaborate in new program

Hokkaido University establishes startup fund

Ailat wins first Sendai pitch contest

Space-related entrepreneurship support program in Hokkaido starting in April

University of Aizu establishes new center for industry-academia collaboration

Kinki University aims to grow 30 new startups a year

Hack Osaka closes out a great year for Kansai

Grand Green to begin selling sell high-sugar GM tomatoes

Shin Keizairen goes to Niigata

Kaga launches ‘One-Stop Center’ for starting a business

R&D startup event held in Kyoto

Hakodate gets second wind as tech hub

Tokyo Innovation Base sets opening date

ekei labs boosts longevity research, aims to make Okinawa a global hub

Autonomous driving startup Tier IV joins Shinkansen redevelopment project

University of Tokyo launches "carve-out" support program

Stagnating research in Japan: can AI turn the tide?

Spatial Pleasure joins Berkeley SkyDeck

Kinki University doubles marbling with revolutionary pig feed

Tohoku University becomes first university to receive support from 10 trillion yen university fund

University selects domestic cloud system over AWS or Azure

Japan will be the leader of next-generation therapeutics in cancer treatment with these startups

Japan - being among the leading countries in cancer research - has contributed tremendously in humanity’s quest to conquer cancer.

Genome Editing Startup from Tokyo Tech University Raises 500 Million Yen

Robotic prosthesis startup raises 370 million yen in funding

University of Tokyo to hire about 300 female professors and associate professors

5 Promising Space-tech Startups in Japan

Japan’s space-tech startup sector is blossoming. The article will introduce the Japanese space-tech startups that are having a meaningful impact on the future of space.