How Tokyo Is Building a Smart, Diverse, and Data-Driven City
Japan
Tokyo #15
MEMBERS:
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Tokyo will mobilize all efforts to provide maximum support for global startups expanding in ‘Mega City’ Tokyo and Asia and continue to offer the best opportunities for startups to access world-leading companies, talent and cutting-edge technologies.
Ecosystem by the Numbers
EARLY-STAGE FUNDING
$1.7 bn
GLOBAL AVG.
$687 m
ECOSYSTEM VALUE
$25 bn
GLOBAL AVG.
$28.6 bn
Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics
Japan is the world´s predominant industrial robot manufacturer and produces more than half of the global supply. Japan Robot Association, the world’s first trade association for robots was formed in Tokyo in 1971 with members such as Denso, Hitachi, Sony, Toshiba, Yamaha Motors, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric, etc. Synstpective, a space technology firm developing small SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), raised $99.9 million in a Series A round in July 2019.
Fintech
The Global Financial Centers Index ranks Tokyo the third most competitive financial center in the world. In 2017 the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) announced the “Global Financial City: Tokyo” vision. As part of this vision, the TMG grants the “Tokyo Financial Award” to financial institutions who offer innovative products and services that meet Tokyo citizens’ needs or promote ESG investments. In 2019, Paidy, a postpaid payment service provider, raised $162 million in a Series C round.
Reasons to Move Your Startup to Tokyo
COVID-19 Policy
The government of Japan, as part of its emergency policy package, has committed $15 billion to zero interest loan programs to help small businesses across Japan who have had to suspend operations because of the outbreak. In addition, the TMG has announced a $1.8 billion supplementary budget to strengthen support for economic activities, including SMEs.
Government Focus on Ecosystem Development
The government of Japan has laid out a 7step strategy titled “Beyond Limits, Unlock Our Potential” to strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem. It includes the creation of a startup city, providing entrepreneurship education, improved accelerator programs, state procurement and funding for startups.
Tokyo Startup Ecosystem Consortium
Tokyo established a Startup Ecosystem Consortium in early 2020 to support and incubate innovative local startups through collaboration between government, research institutions, and the private sector.
Selected Startup Organizations
Startup Genome Members
MEMBER
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Japan Venture Capital Association (KII, UTEC)
Keidanren
Keio University
Mitsubishi Estate
Mitsui Fudosan
Mori Building
Plug n Play
The University of Tokyo
Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Tokyu
Tokyu Land Corporation
Waseda University
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