As Japan pushes to strengthen its position in deep tech—across robotics, AI, biotechnology, advanced materials, and energy—NEDO is shaping the next generation of globally competitive startups. One of Japan’s largest public R&D funding agencies, NEDO funds research, supports commercialization, builds ecosystems, and helps startups expand globally.

JETRO reports on Venture Café Global Gathering 2026, an international event designed to connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and ecosystem builders across borders.

Hello Tomorrow Japan Deep Tech Summit 2026, held in Tokyo this February, brought together founders, investors, researchers, and corporate leaders to explore a central question: how can breakthrough science be translated into sustainable business?

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.

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.

Building global deeptech from regional Japan

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.

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.

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.

We dig into DIG Shibuya 2026 to see what they have in store for us in this year's Shibuya street art/tech takeover!

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.

Shibuya Startup Support, in collaboration with urban art and technology event DIG SHIBUYA, will host Creative Tech Shibuya 2026: a five-day program for overseas creative tech startups considering entering the Japanese market.

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).

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

We attended the three major pitch events of Umeda Innovation Week over Sept 16-19 2025. They indicate a tipping point in the Japanese startup ecosystem being reached, with Kansai at the forefront.

SKS JAPAN 2025 showcased how Japanese agritech startups are addressing issues such as food waste, resource circulation, and declining domestic demand while exploring opportunities for global expansion.