Entrepreneur Stories Japan

Located right at the heart of Japan, between Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya bridges East and West Japan both geographically and culturally. This central positioning has created a blend of traditions and influences, resulting in a unique and harmonious cultural identity. While Nagoya may not be as popular a tourist destination as Kyoto or Tokyo, those who visit quickly discover its charm—particularly through its vibrant food scene.

March 27, 2025

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.

March 26, 2025

Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture, which lies right in the center of Japan’s main island of Honshu. Aichi Prefecture is an economic powerhouse, second only to Tokyo in terms of GDP and per capita income, and is the host to a nascent start-up boom.

March 25, 2025

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.

March 24, 2025

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.

March 21, 2025

Kitakyushu is the second most populous city in the Kyushu region. Formerly known as the Kitakyushu Industrial Zone, one of four major industrial zones in Japan, Kitakyushu was famous for its steel industry thanks to the Imperial Steel Works, the second steel mill built in Japan and the largest in the country for some time after its construction in 1896.

March 20, 2025

"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.

March 19, 2025

The history and culture of Kitakyushu is deeply rooted in the production of iron and steel. In this article, we’ll explore the essential role this city played in the modernization of Japan, its rebirth as a tourist destination, and the beauty of its natural surroundings.

March 18, 2025

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.

March 17, 2025

Fukuoka is emerging as one of Japan’s top startup cities, offering strong support for foreign entrepreneurs, affordable living, and a vibrant business ecosystem. With startup visas, incubators, and global connectivity, it’s an ideal base for innovation and growth.

March 14, 2025

Japan is a distinctively shaped nation; a gracefully curving archipelago that is considerably longer than it is wide. As a result, its major cities form a chain along the length of the country, connected by highways and the tracks of the famous shinkansen bullet train. Fukuoka City is the westernmost of these metropolises, located on the island of Kyushu.

March 13, 2025

At Fukuoka's startup support facility "Fukuoka Growth Next," the Global Business Support (GBS) team works towards attracting international startups and helping local startups expand overseas. We spoke with Mr. Ono, who serves as a startup support concierge while being an entrepreneur himself, about Fukuoka City's startup support ecosystem.

March 12, 2025