Tokyo is being positioned as the “most startup-friendly city” by SusHi Tech, a leading startup trade fair in Asia. The event is being held at the Imperial Palace area and Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center, where over 400 startups from 47 countries and regions are exhibiting. This makes it the most international startup event in Asia.
Countries like Israel, France, and Taiwan have their own pavilions at the fair, but Switzerland’s presence is particularly noteworthy. The Swiss consul in Osaka, Felix Moesner, is showcasing 12 Swiss startups at the event. This highlights the growing interest in Japan as a market for innovations and investments from large Japanese companies.
In addition to attracting startups to Tokyo, efforts are also being made to make it easier for them to operate here. Initiatives like working holiday visas for individuals under 30 and simplified visa procedures for founders and branches are being implemented. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike emphasized the city’s commitment to becoming a platform for future innovation during the opening of the trade fair.
Key speakers at the event include Taizo Son, a prominent Japanese venture capitalist who predicts that Tokyo will become an important location for AI development and new startups due to the growing willingness of Japanese individuals to start their own companies and government support for entrepreneurial ventures. Swiss technology is particularly well received in Japan due to its high quality and reliability, making Swiss startups popular among Japanese investors.
The trade fair aims to facilitate networking and matchmaking opportunities for exhibitors, showcasing the potential for global partnerships and investments in Tokyo’s growing startup ecosystem.
