Newsletter Signup
Join Our Community!
Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive insights, and more.
Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive insights, and more.
To see how we may use your information, take a look at our privacy policy.
%20(1)%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A7%EF%BC%89.png)
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.
Could you tell us about your career background?
I'm half Japanese and half Swiss, spending my early childhood in Japan before I moved to a boarding school in Switzerland at the beginning of my second year of middle school. After graduating university in the United States, I joined a Japanese trading company in New York, primarily dealing with automotive and aerospace products.
Then I moved to a general trading company in Los Angeles, handling building materials. This was during the time period known as ‘the shale gas boom’. I worked on projects importing Japanese building materials. While in Los Angeles, I became interested in the startup scene and took a position as Japan Country Manager for a renewable energy startup, relocating to Fukushima.
Soon after I joined a biotech venture in water quality, working in the medical life sciences field. Later, when a Swiss startup approached me about expanding into Japan and Asia, I established a company with a Fukuoka-based partner. During that company's exit process, I became involved with launching and operating the Global Business Support program for Fukuoka Growth Next Event in February this year.
%20(1)%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A7%EF%BC%89.png)
What specific support do you provide?
Under commission from Fukuoka City, we support both international startups entering Japan and Fukuoka-based startups expanding overseas. For incoming startups, our support begins with the startup visa process and extends to every detail of establishing a life in Japan - from finding housing, setting up mobile phone contracts, creating personal seals (hanko), and completing the residency registration.
Our startup visa support begins with thorough business plan review. We assess business feasibility and market potential while helping prepare necessary documentation. After obtaining the visa, there's a six-month trial period during which we assist with practical business setup needs like opening bank accounts, establishing corporations, and enrolling in social insurance. We collaborate with necessary experts such as tax accountants, social insurance consultants, and legal scribes. Our three-person team provides intensive initial support before transitioning to a more distributed support system.
Opening bank accounts is particularly challenging for foreign entrepreneurs. While most of the major banks still have hurdles for foreigners to jump through, we've established partnerships with local financial institutions and other major banks to facilitate a smooth account opening. We also provide comprehensive lifestyle support, including housing assistance through partnerships with real estate agents. We aim to help with whatever is needed, trying to become like family to our entrepreneurs.
%20(1)%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A7%EF%BC%89.png)
What unique challenges do you observe among foreign entrepreneurs?
The language barrier is significant. Administrative procedures, contracts, and various application forms are almost entirely in Japanese. Understanding Japan's unique business practices and corporate culture is also essential.
We hear that expansion into Fukuoka is increasing?
While we expected around 20 startup visa applications annually, we've already processed about 20 this year and have about 20 more in the pipeline.
Half of the incoming companies are from Southeast Asia, with Taiwan being particularly well-represented. The remainder comes from North America and Europe. Recently, we've seen an increase in applications from the United States, partially due to the yen currently being weak.
%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A7%EF%BC%89.png)
Why are entrepreneurs choosing Fukuoka?
A major factor is that Fukuoka City was the first city in Japan to introduce the startup visa. Additionally, our established support system for challenging procedures like opening a bank account is a significant advantage.
Fukuoka benefits from being a compact city. Entrepreneurs can easily connect with each other, support organizations, large companies, and banks. This tight-knit community is highly valued by international entrepreneurs.
Are there any support cases that particularly stand out?
One particularly memorable case involves a company that bootstrapped for 3-4 years before recently succeeding in fundraising. Despite strong technical capabilities, they struggled with sales. Through investor matching and management advice, they quadrupled their contracts and secured investments. Having supported them like family, we're extremely proud of their success.
Such success stories inspire other resident companies. They become unconscious role models, showing others that opportunities are real. It's wonderful to witness these positive cycles develop.
%20(1)%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A7%EF%BC%89.png)
What's the future direction for Fukuoka's startup support?
While we currently don't target specific industries, we're considering focusing more on sectors with international expansion potential, such as medical tech and deep tech.
Fukuoka City also serves as a "Gateway City." Companies don't necessarily need to establish their headquarters here; we welcome those using Fukuoka as a foothold for Asian business. Some startups have already used Fukuoka as a proving ground before expanding to other regions.
Could you tell us about initiatives to further strengthen the support system?
From next year, we aim to deepen connections with overseas hubs. We're considering practical support like company establishment assistance in Singapore. We also want to strengthen collaboration with Taipei, which has an MoU with Fukuoka City.
Resource constraints are a challenge, but we're building a more comprehensive support system through external partnerships. Expanding our network of experts is particularly important - we aim to create a one-stop support system through deeper collaboration with tax, legal, and labor specialists.
%20(1)%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A7%EF%BC%89.png)
Could you share your future prospects?
We're strengthening connections with major Asian cities beyond Japan, including Singapore and Vietnam. Recently, we hosted "RAMEN TECH in Singapore," creating networking opportunities with local VCs and companies.
Rather than formal business matching, we value natural connections formed over ramen. Many concrete business collaborations have emerged from such casual interactions.
Fukuoka City hosted its first international business event “RAMEN TECH” in October 2024, attracting over 4,000 visitors and demonstrating its presence as an innovation hub.
%20(1)%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A7%EF%BC%89.png)
Finally, do you have a message for those considering starting a business in Fukuoka?
Fukuoka City welcomes entrepreneurs from all fields. While medical tech and deep tech are focus areas, we welcome all sectors. In terms of QOL and cost performance, Fukuoka is an extremely attractive city for business.
We're committed to supporting entrepreneurs' success wholeheartedly. You can start in Fukuoka and potentially expand to Tokyo or other regions later. Let's create inspiring success stories together.
Editor's Note
Mr. Ono's interview revealed his passion and care that goes beyond typical startup support. With the advantages of a compact city's close relationships and detailed support system, Fukuoka City is steadily establishing itself as a global startup city.
.png)
%EF%BC%88%E5%A4%A7%EF%BC%89.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
