Japan Startup
Ecosystem
June 2024

The Situation of Startup Ecosystems in Japan

AgendaJapan’s Policy on Startups

1

Japan’s startup ecosystem is booming
Investment amount to startups in Japan (100M yen/year)

About

10 times

8,508

8,774

(2013→2022)
6,000

5,554

4,868
3,576
2,565
2,018
877

2013

1,424

2014

2015

Source: INITIAL 「Japan Startup Finance 2022」

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2

Japan’s startup investment is strong despite a drop in othercountries due to economic stagnation
Percentage increase of startup investment (2021→2022)

-49%

-48%

-37%

+3%

Data: Created by JVCA based on CB Insights “State of Venture 2022 Report”, EY “Venture capital and start-ups in Germany 2022”, Axios “China’s venture
investing had a rough 2022”, Initial “Japan Startup Finance”

3

There is more potential especially in the fields of manufacturing,
life sciences, etc.
Top 10 growth areas of Japanese startups(2018-2023)
Capital Invested (USD Mn)
Manufacturing(77 startups)

5,000
4,000

Life Sciences(73 startups)
3,000

2,000
1,000
0

0

Cryptocurrency/
Blockchain (39 startups)
FemTechMarketing(9 startups)
Tech (37 startups)
Esports
Virtual Reality(5 startups)(25 startups)
InsurTech
Climate Tech
(2 startups)(18 startups)
20
40
60

Micro-Mobility(5 startups)
80

100 105

Investment Growth Rate (2018-2023)
Note: A Pitchbook startup is defined as a company that has received investment from VCs or PEs since its establishment. It do es not include corporate data
for which Vertical is not registered. Companies established after 2008 are eligible.
Source: Pitchbook

4

The number of international patent applications filed by Japanesecompanies is large, indicating evident technology competitiveness
Nationality breakdown of top 50 international patent applications by companies (2022)

Total:

15

50

12

Note: Japan has the greatest number (15 companies) in the top 50 PCT applications companies
Source: WIPO 「Annex 2: PCT Top Applicants」

10

5

4

1111

5

Japan is globally highly competitive with numerous patents in
manufacturing
Number of inventions in the area of manufacturing (2010-2021)
Automobile/
Storage battery

Shipping

38,627
10,032

498
8,913

6,697

985

726

3,794
9,259

2,049

2,439

2,452

3,842

11,176

1,329

14,4602,513

17,122

3,037

Aircraft

14,701

15,741

Semiconductor/
Info &
Communication

1,224

6,573
1,975
942

864
141
155

Note: The number of inventions is the number of inventions that has been developed internationally between 2010 -2021, ”the number of inventions” filed in
multiple countries/regions, and the “number of inventions” filed in EPO/PCT; also known as International Patent Family (IPF)
Source: Japan Patent Office, Patent information analysis based on GXTI in 2022

6

Further growth of competitiveness is expected in Japan withnumerous Climate tech-related patents
Number of inventions in the area of climate tech (2010-2021)
Offshorewind, Solar,
geothermal

Hydrogen,
Fuel ammonia

Carbon recycle

9,360

2,621

9,515
4,153

1,388

4,219
8,994

1,653

1,549
3,581

1,121

6,799

3,946

Resource
recycling

3,043

1,497
842

6,730

6,051

699

502

1,295

1,313

634

634

1,015

858

465

365

Note: The number of inventions is the number of inventions that has been developed internationally between 2010 -2021, ”the number of inventions” filed in
multiple countries/regions, and the “number of inventions” filed in EPO/PCT; also known as International Patent Family (IPF)
Source: Japan Patent Office, Patent information analysis based on GXTI in 2022

7

Number of university startups is increasing, contributing to theincrease of deep tech startups
Number of university startups

About

2.5 times

4,288(2014→2023)

3,782
3,305
2,905

2,566
1,749

1,773

1,846

2014

2015

2016

2,093

2017

2,278

2018

2019

2020

Source:https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/innovation_corp/start-ups/reiwa5_vc_cyousakekka_houkokusyo_r.pdf

2021

2022

2023
8

Job preference of Japanese students is changing
University students' desire for employment at startups

About half ofuniversity students preferstartups to start their career
Students expected tograduate in 2021

44%

Source: Council for Science, Technology and Innovation9

Foreign investors have greater expectations on the growth of theJapanese startup ecosystem

Japan is the best country in Asia
to live in and entrepreneurs recognize that.
As the government creates a more start-up friendly
environment,
we expect great things

Ben Horowitz

Source: Bloomberg「An Economic Giant Fast-tracks Its Own New Miracle」
Andreessen horowitz: https://a16z.com/author/ben-horowitz/

Co-founder andGeneral Partner
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)

Iconic IPO and M&A by Japanese startups since 2018

Company

Exit
Type

Exit
Year

Exit Value(JPY Billion)

IPO

2018

676.7

Mobile app,
SaaS

2021

300.0

FinTech, Mobile app

IPO

2021

254.5

HR Tech,
SaaS

IPO

2021

164.6

SaaS

IPO

2018

163.4

Artificial Intelligence

M&A
Acquired by PayPal

Note: Iconic IPOs and M&As of Japanese startups in the exit market in Japan are extracted in order of size at the time of exi t.
Source: INITIAL 「Japan Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 H1」, Startup’s official website

Field

Company
Name

Mercari, Inc.

FoundedFebruary 2013

Description

Planning, development,
operation, etc. of the"Mercari" flea market app• "Mercari" is a CtoC
marketplace, offering
unique experience thatanyone can sell
unwanted goods using
smartphones

Exit Type

IPO (Jun 2018)

Exit Value

676.7 (JPY Billion)

Source: Mercari official website, etc.

Mercari has pursued four elements: “safe andreliable,” “easy for all,” “more fun each time,”and “do good, feel good.”Founded on the strong network formed by ourusers through our beginnings as the C2C
marketplace Mercari, we have since evolved (andcontinue to evolve) our user experience.
We will continue to draw out undiscovered value
in people and things all over the world and help
people who need that value to find it. We wantto unleash the potential in all people by creating
an ecosystem that circulates all forms of value,both tangible and intangible.

Shintaro Yamada
Director,
Representative
Executive Officer andCEO
Mercari
12Company
Name

Paidy Inc.

FoundedMarch 2008

Description

BNPL service "Paidy"• Provides a BNPL service
accepted by over
700,000 e-commercesites including Amazon
and Qoo10, also othermerchants that accept
Visa

There has been a great need for BNPL (BuyNow-Pay-Later) by young women who live inthe suburban areas who want to stretch out
their payment a little for dressing up andgoing to an esthetic salon, etc.. Financial
institutions in Japan have not been able toprovide services to these customers. …
The essence of BNPL is to realize smooth
shopping for customers with no burden ofinterest and create as much needs as
possible. We will never charge interest.

Riku Sugie
Exit Type

M&A (Sep 2021)• Acquired by a U.S.
online payment major
PayPalExit Value

President and CEO
Paidy

300.0 (JPY Billion)

Source: Paidy official website, etc.

13

The Situation of Startup Ecosystems in Japan

AgendaJapan’s Policy on Startups

14

The Japanese government declaredits focus on startup policy
I place particular emphasis on startups.
Diverse challengers to the status quo are
already emerging in Japan…
Next TOYOTAs and SONYs will spring fromthe drive and determination of thesechallengers

The important thing is to create
an ecosystem in Japan where startups will
flourishー Speech by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio
at the New York Stock Exchange
September 22, 202215

Tenfold investment in the startups in 5 years
Following the Kishida Administration’s declaration of "The first year for founding startups"
in January 2022, a five-year plan was compiled that gives an overall picture of Japan's
startup development measures by the public and private sectors.
Building human resources
and networks for startup
creation

Expanding funding
provision for startups anddiversifying exit strategies

Promotingopen innovation

Fostering startup leaders

Expanding investment by VCs
and individuals to secure
funding for the significant
growth of startups

Promoting open innovation
between large companies andstartups. Increasing M&A as
an exist strategy

and accelerating
entrepreneurship as people
are the most importantelement of startups

16

Government actively leads various support measures to strengthen
Japan's startup ecosystem
Startup support measures (excerpt)

Main targets of support
Deployment
Japan

Creation and
Recognition ofRole Models

Support forhuman resource
development
Fund Provisioning

1
2
3
4

J-Startup: Startup Development Support Program
J-Startup Impact: Impact Startup Support Program
Nippon Startup Awards
J-StarX (Entrepreneur fostering and overseas
dispatch program)

5
6
7
8

Startup Visa
Stock Option Tax Rules
Startup Support from Japan Investment Corporation
Global Startup Growth Investment Program/LP investment by
Organization for SME and Regional Innovation

9 MOMENT 2023

(Startup event inviting world-class VCs)

10 Tax Incentive for Angel Investors and Entrepreneurs(Angel investment)

Support for technology
development,etc.

Overseas Expansion Support

11 Deep Tech Startup Support Program
12 Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup

Ecosystem
13 Deep Tech Startups Support Program in GX Area
14 The Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project
15 Japan Innovation Campus
16 VIVA TECHNOLOGY Country of the Year 2024
17 Global Startup EXPO 2025
18 Global Acceleration Hub

Stage

Overseas Seed

Early

Middle Later1 J-Startup: Startup Development Support Program
J-Startup, a program to prov ide intensive support
through public-private partnerships to the selectedcompanies with potential to go global
Purpose• Create startups that are globally active

Target• Companies with potential to go global– Selected 243 companies over five years since
2018

Details• Implemented preferential treatment in various
subsidies and govt procurement, and initiatives suchas collaboration with "J-Startup Supporters",
a private company

Support fromprivate sector

Large company,
VC, Accelerator

Government Agencies(Secretariat: METI, NEDO, JETRO)

E.g. of government
supportE.g. of private sector
support• Participation ingovernment missions
abroad• Business space offeringand preferential rates(Office/factory vacant
space, training facilities,
etc.)• Cooperation in demo
experiments using robots,
products/parts• Provision of verification
environment and analysis
equipment• Acceleration andmanufacturing support• Advice by experts andpersonnel with expertise• Intro to clients, affiliatedcompanies, etc.

• Support for exhibition at
global events around theworld• Use of J-Startup logo
• Support under Global
Acceleration Hubs
• Preferential treatment invarious subsidies andother support measures• Business matching• Support for public
procurement, incl. special
case for bidding

Related URL: J-Startup official website• Consultation regarding
reformation of regulations18

2 J-Startup Impact: Impact Startup Support Program
Program to select and play up startups expected to serveas role models for impact startups, and to prov ide
intensive support through public-private partnership
Purpose• Raise awareness and build support momentum for
impact startups

Target• Companies that are expected to become role models
for impact startups (companies that aim to solve
social/environmental issues, realize new visions, andachieve sustainable economic growth together)– Already selected 30 coms as "J-Startup Impact"
companies

Details• In addition to the support under "J-Startup" program,promote the use of expert consultation service, andprovide domestic and int’l communications / PRsupport to the selected companies

Related URL: "J-Startup Impact" was established!

Selected coms in 2023

19

3 Nippon Startup Awards
Awards by the Prime Minister and other ministers forentrepreneurs and startups serv ing as a role model

Purpose• Raise awareness of entrepreneurship in society as awholeTarget• Entrepreneurs and startups that have createdimpactful new businesses that can become rolemodels for young people etc.

Details• Awarded directly by the Prime Minister at the Prime
Minister’s Office• "Nippon Startup awards 2023" selected as follows– Prime Minister’s Award (Nippon Startup Awards):
SmartNews, Inc.
– METI Minister’s award:
Gojo and Company, Inc. / MeetsMore Inc.
– MAFF Minister’s award:
vivid garden Inc.
– MEXT minister’s award:
Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd.
– MHLW Minister’s award:
Miraio Inc.
– MLIT Minister’s award:
ANDPAD Inc.
– Special Jury awards:
ispace,inc. / CureApp, Inc. /Tsubota Laboratory Incorporated

Related URL: Application for "Nippon Startup Award 2024"

Prime Minister’s Award(Nippon Startup Award)

https://about.smartnews.com./ja/

METI Minister’s Award(Global Award)

METI Minister’s Award(Diversity Award)

https://gojo.co

https://meetsmore.com/company

MAFF Minister’s Award(Agriculture Startup Award)

MEXT Minister’s Award(Univ-Oriented Startup Award)

https://vivid-garden.co.jp/

https://mwcc.jp

MHLW Minister’s Award(Health and Welfare Award)

MLIT Minister’s Award(Land, Infra, Transport andTourism Startup Award)

https://www.mirairo.co.jp/

https://andpad.co.jp/

Special Jury Awards
https://ispace-inc.com/jpn/

https://cureapp.co.jp

https://tsubota-lab.com/

20

4 J-StarX (Entrepreneur fostering and overseas dispatch program)
J-StarX, a program to dispatch young entrepreneurs
and students to startup ecosystems in Europe, the U.S.
and Asia
Purpose• To produce entrepreneurs who are active on the
global stage, provide seminars and mentoring
programs in cooperation with VCs, entrepreneurs,
univs, and support orgs, and also support theformation of networks useful for startup/overseas
expansion

Target• Entrepreneurs/managers, and employees at eachstage (seed, early, middle, and later)

Details• Provide mentoring from venture capitalists andaccelerators and networking opportunities with local
key players such as investors and supporters toencourage Japanese entrepreneurs/startups to takeon the challenge• Radically expanded the “Sido Next Innovator” thathas been in place since 2015. dispatched a total of
370 pax. to the U.S., U.K., France, India, Singapore,
Indonesia, etc.
– Aim to dispatch 1,000 people in five years
staring in FY2023

Related URL: https://j-starx.jp/

21

5 Startup Visa
Visa for foreign entrepreneurs to enter and stay for up to one year
until they receive a Business Manager Visa

Scheme/requirements

Local governments and private organizations approved by Ministerof Economy, Trade and Industry can support the visa issuance.

PurposeTarget• Attract excellent foreign entrepreneurs throughsupport for startup preparation activities in Japan

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry

1

Submitsupport plan forforeignentrepreneurs

2

1

Approvethe support plan

Submitsupport plan forforeignentrepreneurs

Approvethe support plan

• Foreign entrepreneurs
Local governments

Details2• Support startup preparation activities in Japan byallowing entrepreneurs to enter and stay for up to
one year until they meet the requirements ofBusiness Manager Visa.
– Planned to extend the maximum period of stay
to two years– Not only local governments, but also privateorganizations such as venture capitals andaccelerators approved by METI Minister alsobegan to support visa from October 2023

3

Submita start-up
preparation
activity plan4

Private organizations
3Issue
a certificate

Submita start-up
preparation
activity plan4
Issue
a certificate

Foreign entrepreneur
Apply visa with certificate 5

6 Issue visa

Immigration Service agency

Approved local governments etc.
(18 organizations in total as of January 2024)

Related URL: Announcement regarding startup visa

Fukuoka-city, Aichi-pref, Gifu-pref, Kobe-city, Osaka-city,
Mie-pref, Hokkaido, Sendai-city, Yokohama-city, Ibaraki-pref,
Niigata-pref, Oita-pref, Kyoto-pref, Hyogo-pref, Shibuya-ward,
22
Hamamatsu-city, Kaga-city, Toyama-pref

6 Stock Option Tax Rules
The stock option tax rules is a scheme that ease the excise ofstock options by deferring taxation until the shares are soldas capital gain

PurposeTargetSchemes & requirements
Stock prices• To attract prospective employees to startups &motivate employees• Directors & Employees

Capitalgain
tax

GrantedTax on salaryyDetails• Deferring taxation until the shares are sold and only
Capital gain tax（flat rate of 20.315%） is imposed;
non Qualified stock option is imposed Tax on salary（progressive tax rate of up to 55%）
• In the 2024 tax reform, the following efforts weremade to ease the excise of stock options– Tripling annual exercise price up to 36 million
yen– Establishment of a share management schemeby companies issuing stock options– Easement of the grant requirements andcertification procedures for external talent

Exercise
price
Option grant
resolution

Tax is deferred for
qualified stock option

Exercised

Time
Transfer ofstockownership

Qualified stock option• Tax at the time of exercise ofright is deferred until the timeof transfer of stock ownership• Tax is imposed as capital gain

Related URL: https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/newbusiness/stock-option.html

7 Startup Support from Japan Investment Corporation
Startup support from the standpoint of public-private
funds that prov ide LP investment to private VC

PurposeTargetDetails• Secure funds and talents to create a virtuous cycle ofrisk money• Strengthen ties with domestic VCs and startups• (Mainly LP investments in private VC)• Established a second fund in January 2023, managed
by Venture Growth Investments (VGI), a subsidiary ofJapan Investment Corporation (JIC)(Fund size 200B yen)
• In addition, established JIC VGI Opportunity Fund No.
1 (40B yen) in September 2023 to provide funding
mainly for secondary market and listed startups• Also, JIC invested in overseas VCs to strengthen ties
with domestic VCs and startups, etc.

Related URL: JIC VGI
Source: Japan Investment Corporation press conference materials (Dec 20, 2023)

Number of Investment
investments amount
JIC VGF No.1

47

75.34B yen

JIC VGF No.2

9

4.44B yen

JIC VGI
Opportunity Fund(As of Dec 2023)

2

About 12B yen

Number of Capital
funds
commitments
LP investment from
JIC to private VCs(As of Dec 20, 2023)

32

134.9B yen

248 Global Startup Growth Investment Program/ LP Investment by

Organization for SME and Regional Innovation

Make LP investments in VCs to promote startups of SMEs,
new business developments, etc.

PurposeTargetDetails• Promote supply of funds to domestic risk money
market (as catalyst)• (Investment in global venture capital (VC) funds, etc.,
in Japan and overseas that have financial strengthand overseas development know-how)Investment
results ofventuretype funds• Number of investees

229 funds

Results ofinvesteeventuretype funds• Investment amount629.2B yen• Companies invested

5,697• Number of IPO

302• Capital commitments 289.8B yen*As of the end of FY2022• Establish a business to invest in global VC funds inJapan and overseas that have financial strength andoverseas development know-how in FY2022
supplementary budget– In March 2023, we began publicly recruiting
fund managers and have already concluded apartnership agreement to invest in one company.
In addition, a fund of funds (FoF) operator was
selected in March and a limited partnershipagreement was concluded in July 2023.

Market cap over 100B yen※Logos are from each company's website
Related URL: https://www.smrj.go.jp/sme/funding/fund/news/ve2jp700000078uj.html

and more…
25

9 MOMENT 2023
"MOMENT 2023" was held as a startup event inv iting
world-leading VCs (Hosted by: METI)

Purpose• Provide world-class viewpoint, new insights, andnetworking opportunities for startups and VCs inJapan• Deepen understanding of Japan’s startup ecosystemfrom world’s leading VCs• Thru the above, activate foreign investment in Japanand globalize Japan’s startup ecosystem

Target• Startups and entrepreneurs in Japan, etc.

Details• More than 2,000 people attended the two-day events
held on October 10 and 11, 2023 both on-site and via
online broadcast– Main speakers– Ben Horowitz(Andreessen Horowitz)– Gen Isayama (WiL)– Jeff Wang (Sequoia)

Interactive session bet investors
representing Japan and the U.S.

Participants at the networking venue
Related URL: https://j-starx.jp/report/1559/

26

10 Tax Incentive for Angel Investors and Entrepreneurs• To promote investment in startups by providing tax
incentives to individual investors

Details• The FY2023 Tax Reform Act introduced a tax
exemption incentives when capital gain is reinvested
in startups• From FY 2024, investors can also use this tax
treatment for investing in stock acquisition rights andbuying stocks through a certain type of trust

Related URL:https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/newbusiness/angeltax/index.html

taxation• The maximum deduction is either 8 million yen or 40% ofgross income• Investment amount is deducted from capital gain of theTaxinvestment year and deferred from taxation
incentive B• No maximum deduction limit

billion yen)Star ting abusiness• Entrepreneurs• Individual investors• (Investment amount - 2,000 yen) is deducted from grossTax
income of the investment year and deferred fromincentive A

Tax ex emption • Investment amount is deducted and exempted fromfor pr e-seedcapital gain of the investment year
& seed• No maximum deduction limit (Limit of exemption is 2
investment

At the time of sale of capital

TargetOne of the following incentives is available

Angel investing

PurposeSchemes & requirements
At the time of investment

The tax incentive for angel investors allows startup
investors to receive a tax incentivizes when investing instocks and selling the stocksTax
ex emptionfor
entr epr eneurs• Investment amount is deducted and exempted from
capital gain of the investment year
• No maximum deduction limit (Limit of exemption is 2
billion yen)

Losses on investments can offset capital gains in the year of loss
(Losses can be carried forward for 3 years)27

11 Deep Tech Startup Support Program

Target• Deep tech startup

Details• Support R&D for practical use, mass production/
overseas tech demos, etc., from a long-term
perspective by incorporating cooperation with VCs
and the use of stage-gate audits into the system

Commercialization
stage

R&D stage
Business
dev
stage

Seed

Early

Middle

Later

IPO・
M&A

Mass production demo(pilot scale or higher)• Significantly promote investment in startups and thecreation of unicorns in the deep tech sector• Accelerate the business growth of deep tech startups
and the establishment, commercialization, and social
implementation of their innovative techs, with aview to global market, and the creation of newvalue-added associated with these techs

SupportMassfor practical production
application
demo
R&D
supportInitial stage production(lab/bench scale)PurposeSchemePrototype dev

Project to subsidize R&D of deep tech startups for up to
6 years & 3 billion yen (budgeted amount 100B yen)Overseas tech demo

Related URL: Deep tech startups support program28

12 Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem
Project to prov ide subsidies to pharmaceutical startups
for development of pharmaceutical products forpractical use (budgeted amount 350B yen)
PurposeTargetDetails• Achieve sufficient sales and growth ofpharmaceutical startups• Support commercialization in internal/externalmarkets• Pharmaceutical Startup• Project subsided by Japan Agency for Medical
Research and Dev (AMED) for the dev of drugs forpractical use by pharmaceutical startups , in whichmore than 1/3 of the subsidized costs are funded byregistered VCs providing hands-on commercialization
support specialized in drug discovery• In particular, AMED supports pharmaceutical startups
actively in their plans to commercialize in overseas
markets in addition to Japan in order to achievesufficient sales and growth• For pharmaceutical startup, selected 11 companies in
the past 3 rounds of public solicitation, and plan to
conduct public solicitations on a periodic basis in the
future. For registered VC, selected 23 coms in thepast 3 rounds of public solicitation(including overseas VCs)

Related URL: Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem

Project Implementation Structure
GOJ(AMED)

Register-ed
VC(Including
foreign
VC)
Registration

Pharma-ceutical
StartupInvestHands-onsupport

Subsidies(Dev costs for preclinical, phaseI, and Phase II trials, etc.)29

13 Deep Tech Startups Support Program in GX Area
Multi-year support for startups and business growth in
the GX area, from the pre-startup stage to the scalingstage, including R&D and capital investment (budgeted at
41 billion yen)
Purpose• To support R&D of innovative technologies in the GX
area that may also contribute to solving economic
and social issues that our country and the world as awhole should address

Target• Entrepreneurs & directors– Deep tech startups, etc. in the GX area withmany challenges in developing their technology& business

Details• Support for deep tech startups in the GX area thatare engaged in developing innovative technologies
that require long-term R&D and significant
investment to commercialize and implement it insociety to contribute to solving economic and social
issues that should be addressed by our country andthe world as a whole, despite the high risk involved– Long-term support for R&D for practicalapplication, demonstration for mass
production, and overseas technology
demonstration by incorporating collaboration
with VCs, businesses and the use of stage-gate
assessment into the system

Related URL: https://www.nedo.go.jp/koubo/CA1_100454.html

Schemes & requirements

Japanese Government

Grant

New Energy and Industrial
Technology Development
Organization （NEDO）

Subsidy(2/3 etc.)

Startups etc.

30

14 The Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation
Support for feasibility studies (FS) and pilot
demonstrations for commercialization of overseas
projects of Japanese startups in Global South countries
Purpose• To promote the overseas expansion of Japanesecompanies, including startups, in Global South
countries by leveraging their mutual strengths withlocal companies

Target• Operating company– Japanese companies including startups related
to future industries that are expected to growin the future (DX, GX, healthcare, etc.)

Details• Support for Japanese companies, including startups,
to expand overseas in the Global South countries,
while leveraging their mutual strengths with local
companies, with a view to reverse innovation inJapan• Support for feasibility studies (FS) and pilot
demonstrations for commercialization of overseas
projects in future industries (DX, GX, healthcare,etc.) that are expected to grow in the future– FS: Up to JPY 100M/project– Minor pilot demonstrations: Up to JPY 500M/
project– Major pilot demonstrations: From JPY 500M to
4B/project

Schemes & requirements
Japanese Government
Commission,
subsidy(fixed amount)Contribution

Privatecompanies,
etc.
Commission,
subsidy(1/2、2/3)

AMEICC
Office※etc.

Privatecompanies,
etc.

Large-scaledemonstration

Master plandevelopment FS,
small-scaledemonstration※AMEICC：Japan-ASEAN Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee

15 Japan Innovation Campus"Japan Innovation Campus", a startup support hub
established in Silicon Valley in the U.S.

Purpose• Establish a hub of startup ecosystems in Japan andthe U.S./overseas

Target• Startups, Entrepreneurs, Local VCs, accelerators,
universities, etc.

Details• Japan Innovation Campus is an innovation hub in
Silicon Valley established by METI in November 2023
• Support for Japanese startups aiming to expand
overseas in collaboration with local VCs, accelerators,
and industry-academia-govt, incl. world-classuniversities• ADDRESS: 212-214 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Related URL: Japan Innovation Campus HP

32

16 VIVA TECHNOLOGY Country of the Year 2024
Japan Pav ilion to be exhibited as a "Country of theYear“ at VIVA TECHNOLOGY 2024

Purpose• Share knowledge and explore paths to the future bybringing together companies and startups leading
innovation, accelerate startup investment frominternational investors

Target• J-Startup selected companies, other Japanesestartups, etc.
– 36 startups and 6 large coms will exhibit

Details• “VIVA TECHNOLOGY” is one of the world’s top-classtech events that gathers major companies promoting
open innovation worldwide, such as Google and LVMH
group, leading startups from each country, and key
persons in innovation, under the strong support of
the French government, with the French president
taking the stage every year
• Japan Pavilion will be located in the area that
attracts the most visitors (exhibition area will beapprox. 10 times larger than in 2023), and PR will bepossible through the official website, which is
expected to be viewed more than 6 billion times

Related URL: JETRO WEB site33

17 Global Startup EXPO 2025
GSE 2025 aims to communicate the role and importanceof promising startups and ecosystems in solv ing global
issuesPurpose• Communicating the followings to the World throughDialogue/Exchange– the role and importance of startups– Potential for creating startups in Japan（especially Kansai region）

Target• Startups• VCs etc.

GlobalIssuesStartups• Climate change• Infectious
Diseases• Food problems• Resources/Energy• Medical/Health• Population issues
etc.

• Generative AI• Nuclear fusion• Genome Editing• New Materials• Drug discovery
technology• Robotics etc.

Global Startup EXPO 2025
Details• GSE2025 will be held as part of the EXPO 2025 OsakaKansai on September 17 and 18, 2025, and will gather
startups and related organizations from Japan andaround the world.
• Following sessions will be held to promote dialogue
and exchange among the participants.
– Exhibitions– Pitch events– Talk sessions by VCs and others

Dates

September 17 and 18, 2025

Location

EXPO Messe (WASSE),
Osaka, Japan

Contents

Talk sessions, pitch events,
booth exhibitions, etc.

Exhibitions

150 startups

Attendance target

10,000 people

Organizer

Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry
34

18 Global Acceleration Hub
Prov ide serv ices such as briefings, mentoring,
introductions to local partners/VCs, etc., and co-working
space free of charge for startups seeking to expand
overseas or raise funds overseas
Purpose• To support global expansion of Japanese startups bypartnering with local leading accelerators, etc.

Target• Entrepreneurs / managers• Employees

Details• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) operates“Global Acceleration Hub” in 30 cities around theworld in partnership with local accelerators• For startups seeking to expand overseas or raise
funds overseas, JETRO provides services such as
briefings, mentoring, introductions to local partners/VCs, etc., as well as co-working spaces, etc., freeof charge• Used by more than 900 companies annually, withapproximately 1,600 mentoring cases andapproximately 800 matching events (FY2023)

Related URL: https://www.jetro.go.jp/services/jhub/

Number of
hubs
worldwide:30
Supporting business in North America,
South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East,
Africa, and Oceania
Toronto Boston

Helsinki

BerlinLondonDüsseldorf
Paris
MunichMadridShanghai Tokyo
Shenzhen
Tel Aviv
New York
Taipei
RiyadhAustinBengaluru
Dubai
ManilaHong
Bangkok
Nairobi
Kong
Kuala Lumpur
Singapore Jakarta

ChicagoSilicon Valley

Sao Paulo
Sydney35