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July 24, 2026
 

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STARTUPS

A cardiac muscle cell sheet that uses induced pluripotent stem cells
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jul 22, 2026
Another iPS product approved for public insurance coverage in Japan
It is the second case of insurance coverage approval in the nation for an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived regenerative medicine product.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has launched initiatives to establish Tokyo as a global financial center and startup hub as part of an effort to boost economic growth and innovation.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 21, 2026
Weak yen gives Tokyo edge in global startup race, Koike says
Under Koike¡¯s leadership, Tokyo has launched initiatives to establish itself as a global financial center and startup hub as part of an effort to boost economic growth.
Fully sealed units are stacked on top of each other at Plantx's vertical-farming facility in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 9, 2026
World¡¯s first fully sealed vertical-farming facility opens in Tokyo
At Plantx¡¯s facility, light, air and water are controlled in each unit allowing the system to tailor the nutritional values and sugar content of agricultural products.
Human resources platform operator SmartHR had aimed for a valuation of about $1 billion and is working with banks including Daiwa Securities Group, Goldman Sachs Group and Morgan Stanley, sources have said.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 8, 2026
KKR-Backed SmartHR is said to delay Tokyo IPO beyond this year
Sources have said timing and valuation could change due to investors¡¯ concerns over the disruptive impacts of the artificial intelligence boom on the software-as-a-service sector.
Reliant on Nvidia hardware for AI training and inferencing since its outset, Turing now handles roughly 10% of its AI training needs with Advanced Micro Devices graphics processing units.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 6, 2026
Self-driving startup Turing gets AMD backing and adopts AMD GPUs
The five-year-old Japanese startup is adding to its capabilities as it builds toward a commercial launch.
Yasmin Baba, CTO of Amilis, wins the Grand Prize at the Pitch2Tokyo Grand Final on Feb. 19.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 1, 2026
Some startups see opportunity in an aging Japan
The demographic challenges faced by the country could create demand for products that help older people and support treatment.
The industry ministry announced ?387.3 billion in funding to develop a domestic foundation model for physical AI that controls robots, aiming to strengthen the country's competitiveness against the United States and China.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 30, 2026
Japan announces aid for domestic AI development project
The industry ministry aims to help the country catch up with the United States and China in AI technology.
Carro, which is backed by SoftBank Group, is also considering a second listing in Singapore.
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2026
SoftBank-backed car marketplace Carro is said to explore U.S. IPO
Carro is working with advisers and may potentially raise as much as $500 million.
Gojek and Grab drivers during the morning rush hour in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 24, 2025.
BUSINESS
Jun 18, 2026
Tech founder¡¯s downfall in Indonesia shows rising business risks
Nadiem Makarim now faces the prospect of 18 years in jail if found guilty of corruption during his stint as education minister.
SoftBank Group had helped channel billions of dollars to startups through dedicated Latin American funds.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 17, 2026
SoftBank finds fewer tech bets for venture capital in Latin America
The firm is targeting consumer-oriented AI companies with strong proprietary data, growing operations and technology teams capable of competing globally.
A Japanese startup tested a catheter injection of iPS heart muscle cells on a patient at Shinshu University Hospital in late March.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jun 13, 2026
Japan startup tests catheter injection of iPS heart muscle cells
The Tokyo-based company hopes to develop a minimally invasive treatment method that does not require surgery.
A SpaceX building ahead of the SpaceX initial public offering (IPO), in Starbase, Texas, on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Tech / ANALYSIS
Jun 13, 2026
SpaceX playbook set to fuel China¡¯s IPO ambitions but tech gap persists
In China, the initial public offering was watched as a benchmark for a younger industry eager to go public.
TDK sees Fabric8Labs' 3D-printing technology as an efficient way to process pure copper into cold plates connecting to semiconductors inside data center servers.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 11, 2026
TDK buys U.S. 3D-printing startup to amp up AI ecosystem bet
The Tokyo-based supplier of iPhone batteries is optimistic about Fabric8Labs¡¯ 3D-printing technology for data center server applications.
A medical student poses questions to a surgical support software tool that uses artificial intelligence.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jun 10, 2026
Japan rushing to develop AI tools to aid surgeons
One surgery support software tool analyzes images of organs and blood vessels using generative AI and creates step-by-step procedures and points requiring caution.
For joint investments with government-backed financial institutions, the Financial Services Agency says it will allow banks to build a lower amount of capital than the levels required as a buffer against potential losses.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 9, 2026
Japan to ease bank capital adequacy requirements
The aim of the Financial Services Agency¡¯s measure is to encourage public-private funding and supporting small regional companies, including startups.
Axiom Space's latest funding round includes support from new backer MUFG Bank, Japan¡¯s largest bank, along with existing investors, the startup has said.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 5, 2026
Axiom Space boosts funding to $525 million with MUFG Bank as new investor
The startup is among several firms competing to build a commercial replacement to the International Space Station, which is set to be decommissioned by 2030.
Internal affairs minister Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks at a meeting on cybersecurity in Tokyo on May 21.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 30, 2026
Japan to set special aid category for community-based startups
The internal affairs ministry aims to promote what is known as AI transformation, in which companies reform themselves by placing AI at the center.
Jenny Chatman, dean of the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley
BUSINESS / Tech
May 27, 2026
Japan told that universities are a key to startup success
The dean of the University of California¡¯s business school explains how innovation infrastructure can be developed.
Anis Uzzaman, founder and CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures, in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Tech
May 18, 2026
Japan¡¯s startup story is just beginning, venture capitalist says
Anis Uzzaman says the country is making the right moves, while the mindset in the business is changing.
Itochu and other Japanese trading houses are making investments to solve the supply chain bottleneck for official toys, apparel and collectibles of anime and manga in overseas markets.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 15, 2026
Itochu invests in San Francisco venture to chase anime merchandise demand
Following Itochu¡¯s investment, startup Octas will license Japanese characters and work with North American manufacturers and retailers to develop products.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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