Tag
#Founder Story
55 items · showing 1–24
StoryHana Himura, CEO of OTO: spreading Japanese traditional crafts to the world
How is one startup building the bridge between centuries-old Japanese master artisans and the global marketplace? In this interview, we sit down with Hana, founder and CEO of OTO, to go in-depth on how she is scaling traditional Japanese craftsmanship globally. From navigating complex supplier relationships with rural artisans to building a modern B2B platform for international buyers, Hana breaks down what it takes to turn cultural heritage into a sustainable global business.
StoryBuilding Bridges Between Culture and Technology: Sara Doolotbekova of BeART World JAPAN
JETRO interviews Sara Doolotbekova, co-founder of BeART World JAPAN, on her founder's journey via the Startup Visa program in Hokkaido.
StoryChristian Park from UNCHAIN: securing the soul of AI through the "Doraemon" philosophy
We sit down with wunderkind Christian Park, youngest selectee for Softbank’s Masayoshi Son’s successor program and 20-year-old founder of UNCHAIN, to find out about his company, his views on entrepreneurship, and what a blue cartoon cat has to do with AI in Japan.
StorySebastien Hebert on Building in Japan: What Slows You Down—and What Moves You Forward
Four years ago, Sebastien Hebert decided to build his company in rural Japan. That decision has meant going back to language school at 40, navigating regional startup visa rules, searching for office space in a small coastal town, and restarting operations after an earthquake. JETRO sat down with him to go over the hows and whys.
StoryInterview with Bjorn Heiberg of TOWER KNIVES: from negative trust to lasting loyalty
Bjorn Heiberg, who runs the knife specialty shop TOWER KNIVES, is frequently portrayed in the media as “the foreigner saving Japan’s artisan culture.” But what he himself describes is far grittier, the story of an intensely rational businessperson.
StoryInterview with Nick Hafner, Refined Robotics
Today we sit down with Nick Hafner, CEO and co-founder of Refined Robotics, to talk about his startup journey in Japan—from academia in Osaka to boots on the ground in Tokyo.
StoryInterview with Jordan Fisher: co-founder and chairman of Zehitomo, venture partner at Antler Japan, mad genius of the Japan startup ecosystem
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.
StoryJillian Chaplin: co-founder of 18CLUB tattoo studio
We sit down with Jill, co-founder of Tattoo Studio 18CLUB in Kobe, to hear about his journey opening a business in Japan in a famously stigmatized industry.
·kobe
StoryInterview with Alvaro Rios of Kawatek: building the future of bionics in Japan
From Columbia to Mexico to the USA to Germany and then finally to Japan, Alvaro Rios sits down with Blackbox to talk about his company and why Japan makes sense for medtech and robotics startups... and some pitfalls to watch out for.
·osaka
StoryDaniel Brown, Founder of Meidansha
Daniel Brown, founder and CEO of **Meidansha**, shares his entrepreneurial journey in Japan. Originally from Australia, he came to Japan in 2003, worked in finance, and later co-founded a 3D virtual tour company in Osaka. After his partner’s passing, he continued running the business alone. Daniel reflects on cultural and professional lessons—how being a foreigner can be both a challenge and an advantage in Japan’s business world. His key advice: focus on purpose, not just profit. Genuine passion earns trust and lasting connections, especially in Japan’s relationship-driven business culture.
StoryAndy 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.
·osaka
StoryModernizing 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.
StoryInnovating 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
StoryThe Frozen Food Revolution: Preserving the Value of Food
The Challenge of Next-Generation Freezing Technology to Protect "Deliciousness" - Masayuki Kinoshita, CEO of Daybreak Inc.
·tokyo
EventBLACKBOX -Discover Japan's Startup Potential-
One fast‑paced session at SusHi Tech Tokyo where municipal leaders and global founders swap stories and pitches—offering a 360° view of Japan’s startup opportunities in under an hour.
·shibuya
StoryBuilding 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.
·kyoto
StoryCreating "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.
·tokyo
Story"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.
·hiroshima
StoryPassion 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.
·aichi
StoryCreating a New Economic Zone from Small Business Hubs — The Potential of Community-Based Town Development in Omura, Nagasaki
Naruhiro Nagao works on regional revitalization through the operation of coworking spaces. This article explores the possibilities of a new business model originating from regional Japan, breaking away from the Tokyo-centric development.
StoryA New Choice for Weddings - Satoshi Murata, CEO of ParaLux
"Making weddings more free and expressive of who couples are."We spoke with founder Murata about the challenges in the wedding industry, his innovative approach, and his vision for the future.
·kitakyushu
StoryFrench Food Stall "Remi San Chi": Cherishing Every Encounter - An Interview with Chef Remi
Fukuoka's yatai (food stalls) are iconic symbols of the city's nightlife. Among them, "Chez Remi" stands out amongst the crowd - a French food stall operated by the French owner and chef.
·kitakyushu
Story"Revolutionizing Space Access: Building Reusable Rockets for Everyone's Journey to Space - Aron Lentsch, Orbspace"
"The key to making space travel accessible isn't just creating reusable rockets—it's creating rockets that can be reused thousands of times, just like aircraft."
·tsukuba
StoryAiming for a World That Liberates All Businesses from Privacy Risks - Ryosuke Takahashi, Acompany Co., Ltd..
As privacy protection gains global attention, Acompany aims to create a world free from privacy risks through secure computation technology. We interviewed founder Ryosuke Takahashi about his vision for ideal data security and future global trends.
·nagoya