Japan’s Five-Year Development Strategy unveils KANSAI Startup Night Vol. 4

Japan unveiled its latest development on its “Startup Development Five-year Plan” started in November 2022. The program comes through a collaboration with Kansai. The plan aims to boost the Japanese startup ecosystem by investing 10 trillion yen, creating 100,000 new startups, and nurturing 100 unicorns by 2027. 

The dynamic ecosystem cultivated within the Kansai region is a pivotal driver in this trajectory. This ecosystem boasts a comprehensive array of tailored support programs designed to empower domestic and international entrepreneurs as they navigate the intricacies of startup development. 

With this, it is expected to pave the way for foreign investment entities and corporations to actively explore avenues for collaboration and investment within the vibrant realm of deep tech startups nestled within the Kansai landscape. 

Kansai startups have sought engagement with international investors and enterprises at the KANSAI Startup Night Vol. 4. This event, co-hosted by the Union of Kansai Governments and for Startups, Inc., provided a platform for showcasing four distinguished R&D startups hailing from the region. These startups showcased profound technological prowess poised to address critical societal challenges such as aging demographics and climate change. 

Glafit emerged as a standout among the showcased innovators, envisioning itself as Japan‘s pioneering force in next-generation vehicle manufacturing. Backed by alliances and investments from industry titans such as Yamaha Motor and Panasonic, Glafit’s scope spans design to mass production and sales of micromobility vehicles. 

Another standout among Kansai’s aspiring startups is NUProtein, distinguished for its expertise in the large-scale production of recombinant proteins. Their mission transcends boundaries, aiming to make substantial contributions across various industries, including cultivated meat, drug discovery, and biomass energy. 

NUProtein actively addresses pressing concerns such as curbing greenhouse gas emissions and combating food scarcity by equipping cultivated meat manufacturers with genetically modified rice-derived proteins. 

Enter C4U, a dynamic biotechnology venture has taken the helm of innovative genome editing technology. With a goal of setting new therapies for genetic disorders, C4U harnesses the immense potential of its pioneering CRISPR-Cas3 technology. 

Japan‘s journey, fueled by visionary strategies and vibrant ecosystems, invites global attention to the convergence of innovation and aspiration. Each emerging startup, every ignited collaboration, and all soaring ideas solidify Japan’s position on the global innovation map, poised to lead in shaping a brighter tomorrow.

Read more from AsiaTechDaily:

• Japanese Robotics Startup Telexistence Secures $170M, Forms Strategic Partnerships with SoftBank and Foxconn
• Early-Stage Investor The Radical Fund Launches $40M Climate Tech Fund for Southeast Asian Startups
• Hong Kong’s Brinc Launches Climate Tech Program to Support Early-Stage Startups in Carbon Dioxide Removal Solutions
• Joel Neoh and Audra Pakalnyte Launch First Move Fund to Support Consumer Startups in Southeast Asia