Best Japan Business Podcasts (2025)

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Foreign founders are changing how Japanese start startups 34:13

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10d ago34:13

34:13

For the last 150 years Japan has made a science of borrowing the best ideas from the West and transforming them into her own.The startup world is no exception. Japanese startup culture is heavily shaped by western ideas, but not in the traditional top down way where leadership chooses which ideas are introduced. Japan's startup ecosystem is being s…

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What it’s really like to be a female VC in Japan 38:58

1M ago38:58

38:58

Progress is not only slower in Japan, it is often different.Looking at the numbers, it's clear that venture capital is even more male-dominated in Japan than it is in the West. Our guest today explains not only how that's changing, but how she's changing it.Sophie Meralli is a Partner at Shizen Capital and co-founder of Tokyo Women in VC. We sit do…

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Startup success hinges on enterprise innovation 40:18

2M ago40:18

40:18

American startups dominate the current innovation cycle not as a result of startup innovation, but of enterprise innovation.Today we sit down with Dai Watanabe and dive into the dynamics of industry disruption and startup innovation. For the last 25 years Dai has held leadership roles at the center of Japan's major innovation trends. From the glory…

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Senpai culture is killing innovation in Japan 43:49

3M ago43:49

43:49

Fifteen years ago, University-run venture funds were all but illegal here in Japan, but today a higher percentage of major Japanese universities have VC funds than in the US or Europe.Today we sit down with Kei Furukawa, a partner at the University of Tokyo IPC, a $300M venture fund, and we talk about the unique role these funds play in Japan, how …

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How to build a successful startup community

4M ago

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(sketch by Kaori Rei)Today we are going to sit down with an old friend.It was over seven years ago when I first had Tim Rowe on the podcast, and we mapped out what we saw as the future of startup innovation in Japan. In today's short episode, we talk about what we got right. what surprised us, and what we think is next for Japanese startup innovati…

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Software alone can’t make us work together 37:26

4M ago37:26

37:26

Today we are going to break down some startup stereotypes.I sit down with Kunio Hara, co-founder and CEO of Beatrust and break apart the stereotypes of the uncreative Japanese enterprise and the young startup founder, and Kunio explains how Beatrust is already teaching old dogs new tricks.It's a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it.Show …

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How AI employees are solving Japan’s labor shortage 26:24

5M ago26:24

26:24

While American AI startups are dominating the headlines, one Japanese company has begun rolling out "AI employees" to famously cautious Japanese enterprise customers.Today we talk with Shota Nakagawa the CEO of Caster and discuss their model of human-AI collaboration, why Japan is positioned to lead real-world AI deployment, and the big steps neede…

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Welcome to Disrupting Japan (Podcast Trailer) 1:06

5M ago1:06

1:06

Welcome to Disrupting Japan. Straight talk from Japan’s most innovative founders and VCs.I’m Tim Romero, and thanks for joining me.There is so much happening in Japan right now.Startups and innovation are beginning to reshape Japan with the same dynamism we saw during the post-war boom or the Meji-era re-opening.And I’ve been in the middle of this …

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The catalyst (finally!) pulling industrial Japan into the digital age 32:27

6M ago32:27

32:27

Japanese business loves paper.From fax machines, to business cards, to massive project binders. Paper processes are slow to die in Japan, especially in industrial facilities.Today we talk with Jumpei Yoshida of Kaminashi who explains why that's finally changing and how foreign workers are driving the transformation.It's a great conversation, and I …

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How CVCs and startups are decarbonizing energy 20:32

6M ago20:32

20:32

Most outside of the energy industry are (pleasantly) surprised to learn how aggressively startups and CVCs are pushing decarbonization forward.Decarbonization is a fascinating and incredibly important issue, so please join me on this short but special episode.It's a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it.TranscriptWelcome to Disrupting Jap…

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How AI startups can compete with the AI giants 51:44

7M ago51:44

51:44

Japan is lagging behind in AI, but that might not be the case for long.Today we sit down with Jad Tarifi, current founder of Integral AI and previously, founder of Google’s first Generative AI team, and we talk about some of Japan's potential advantages in AI, the most likely path to AGI, and how small AI startups can compete against the over-funde…

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Why Japan is looking to France for startup inspiration 34:46

8M ago34:46

34:46

While the rest of the world is copying Silicon Valley, Tokyo is looking at Paris.Today we sit down with Mark Bivens and Matt Romaine, the co-founders of Shizen Capital to talk about Japan's new startup policies, the changing role of M&A, the main force behind the changing attitudes about startups in Japan.It's a great conversation, and I think you'…

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A game plan for working artists to beat AI in the marketplace 33:57

9M ago33:57

33:57

Today, we are going to talk about AI, but not in the way you expect.Today, I’m going to give creatives a solid three-point plan to beat AI in the marketplace. I’m going to explain how musicians, podcasters, authors and other artists can survive and even thrive amidst the unstoppable flood of AI generated slop we will all be forced to wade though fo…

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Inside the government program to invest $1B into Japanese startups

10M ago

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The Japanese government is taking a very hands-on approach to funding startups.Yuka Hata, Senior Managing Director of the Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) explains the kinds of startups and funds they invest in, and why.We also talk about the two biggest challenges new Japanese VCs face, and what it’s really like for women in VC in JapanIt's a gr…

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Everything you ever wanted to know about Fintech in Japan 36:06

11M ago36:06

36:06

We live in a global financial system, but fintech innovation is surprisingly local.Makoto Shibata, the head of FinoLab, has been leading financial innovation Japan for over 20 years, long before the term fintech existed. We talk about the evolution of Japan's fintech landscape, and which fintech sectors are facing consolidation and which are facing…

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Hey Hey, It’s my birthday! 4:04

11M ago4:04

4:04

Disrupting Japan is 10 years old today!This is a simple thank you rather than a full episode.Thanks for listening! TranscriptWelcome to Disrupting Japan, Straight Talk from Japan's most innovative founders and VCs.I'm Tim Romero and thanks for joining me.This is a very short and very special episode. It's not an episode really, more of a personal m…

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Why SaaS is growing so much faster in Japan Shinji Asada – One Capital 37:34

12M ago37:34

37:34

SaaS startup valuations and growth rates have dropped sharply in most of the world, but not in Japan.SaaS startups are growing fast in Japan, and that trend is set to accelerate even more over the next five years.Today Shinji Asada of One Capital explains Japan's still-untapped SaaS potential, his unique SMB and product-focused investment thesis, a…

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How to build a startup in Japan 49:47

12M ago49:47

49:47

If you have ever wondered what it really takes to start and grow a startup as a foreigner in Japan. Well, I have a treat for you today.Earlier this year, at the Japan FinTech Festival, I had the privilege of sitting down with four fantastic foreign FinTech founders and talking about what you need to succeed in Japan.There are some great insights he…

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The hidden danger of unicorn counting in JapanJames Riney – Coral Capital 45:37

1y ago45:37

45:37

Japan has far fewer unicorns than one expects - or than venture capitalists desire.That fact, however, hides a fascinating story.Today James Riney, founding partner of Coral Capital explains the danger of unicorn counting.We dive deep into which startup sectors Japan is likely to lead in globally in the coming decade, how to identify unique startup…

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The surprising future of Japan’s new robot companions 33:58

1y ago33:58

33:58

Japan thinks about robotics and AI differently that the West.In addition to their functional, productive role, a lot of thought is also given to our personal interactions, their social role, and the relationships we build with them.Today we sit down with Shunsuke Aoki, founder of Yukai Engineering and one of the most innovative and creative thinker…

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How VCs drive (and murder) global startup ambition in Japan 41:44

1y ago41:44

41:44

What keeps Japanese startups stuck in Japan?It's not a lack of opportunity or ambition. It's not a lack of knowledge or talent. In fact, one of Japan's most experienced venture capitalists thinks that VCs themselves that are the problem.Today we sit down with Ken Yasunaga, founder and Managing Partner of Global Hands On VC, a fund focused on findin…

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Big News from Disrupting Japan! 2:33

1y ago2:33

2:33

There is important news for Disrupting Japan this week.It's a very short episode because I just want to let you know what's coming, and to thank you for all your support over the years.Leave a commentTranscriptWelcome to Disrupting JapanStraight talk from Japan’s most innovative startups and VCs.I’m Tim Romero, and thanks for listening.Big changes …

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How to sell innovation in cut-throat, low-margin industries 44:40

1+ y ago44:40

44:40

Some industries need to be dragged kicking and screaming to innovation.When margins are tight and profits are small, CEOs often don't want to spend a dime on the promise of increased efficiencies or long-term savings, and so external leverage is needed.Today we talk with Shinya Shimizu, founder and CEO of Elephantech, who explains how he found that…

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Startups need to think global, but you need to beware of being global 42:56

1+ y ago42:56

42:56

Japanese HR departments are in a bit of a panic right now.The increasing job mobility that startups have unleashed is forcing them to rethink their entire mission.Today we sit down and Takako Ogawa, co-founder and CEO of Panalyt, a startup at the center of this transformation, and we talk about the changing career paths in Japan, when startups need…

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What today’s headlines don’t tell you about Fusion Energy 37:29

1+ y ago37:29

37:29

Fusion energy promises almost unlimited, inexpensive, clean energy.That's a pretty big promise.Today we sit down with Satoshi Konishi, co-founder and CEO of Kyoto Fusioneering, and we talk about what it is really going to take to develop commercially viable fusion power and the role that startups have to play in that process.We talk about the emerg…

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One soil startup’s unusual and risky scaling secret 29:16

1+ y ago29:16

29:16

Most sustainability startups struggle to find sustainable business modelsTowing, however, has found their solution, and their customers are seeing 20% to 70% increases crop yields.Today we sit down with Towing co-founder Teppei Okamura and he explains why even such a drastic yield improvement required an innovative production and distribution model…

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What you need to know to sell to schools in Japan

1+ y ago

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Everyone agrees that the Japanese education system needs to be modernized, but EdTech startups still face an uphill battle in Japan.Of course, academia and governments are not known for being particularly innovative or forward-thinking, and that's why Kohei Kuboyama left a fast-track career at Japan's Ministry of Finance to launch an EdTech startup…

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AI’s new game-changing role in decoding mountains of EKGs

1+ y ago

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The medical industry is one of the most challenging areas for startups to succeed in."Move fast and break things" just doesn't work in medicine. So you might be surprised to learn that right now there are quite a few innovative medical startups coming out of Japan.Today we talk with Yuichi Tamura, founder of Cardio Intelligence, who has developed S…

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What it takes to teach Japan Inc how to code 49:16

1+ y ago49:16

49:16

Japan wants to learn how to code.Over the past 15 years software development in Japan has changed from low-level clerical work to a mission-critical skill, and the Japanese government and industry as scrambling to find programmers and develop new talent.Yan Fan came to Japan on a mission to teach everyone how to code. After opening Japan's first co…

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The innovative age of Shadow IT is coming to an end 30:04

2y ago30:04

30:04

Shadow IT has been responsible for more enterprise SaaS deployments and workflow innovation than any growth strategy of the last 15 years.And that 's all about to end.Today we sit down with Yasu Matsumoto, who stepped down as CEO of Raksul after leading the startup from founding to post-IPO success, to start Josys, a new startup helping enterprises…

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So you want to disrupt finance? This is what it’s going to take 32:51

2y ago32:51

32:51

For decades (centuries, really) lending in Japan has relied on personal guarantors and introductions rather than objective credit scoring. This startup is changing that.Before starting Credit Engine, which provides credit scoring, automated approvals, and other services to mega-banks and other financial institutions, Sei Uchiyama founded an online …

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Legal AI will shatter your perspective on legal advice 39:11

2y ago39:11

39:11

The legal system is complex, hard to understand, expensive to navigate, and ripe for disruption.In the future, we will still need lawyers to help us understand the law, but it look like we are going to need far fewer of them than we have today.Nozo Tsunoda is an attorney who walked away from a promising legal career to start LegalOn, an AI startup …

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How one innovative startup is selling true bionic legs 35:11

2y ago35:11

35:11

Startups solve real problems.During the boom times, the media focuses on the multi-billion-dollar valuations and the mega-IPOs. But even in those times, founders are innovating in the background and using technology to just make the world a better place.Today we talk with Sun Xiaojun, who started BionicM in 2015 as a way to replace the limb that he…

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What happened when one Japanese startup talked about women’s sexual health 43:42

2y ago43:42

43:42

Some things are supposed to be only whispered about in Japan.But startups are about breaking taboos and pushing boundaries, and making the world a bit better when they do it.Today's we sit down with Amina Sugimoto of Fermata, and we talk about how quickly and radically the FemTech movement is changing Japan's conversations, attitudes, and even publ…

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How Japanese graffiti Is sneaking onto the blockchain 34:51

2y ago34:51

34:51

Graffiti is impermanent.Normally, thats a good thing, but as the global art world has begun to recognize graffiti and street art as a legitimate art form, the short-term and public nature of street art has presented challenges around sales and ownership.The team at Totomo has found a solution. They have been working with street artists around the w…

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What it really takes to get your product approved by NASA 31:58

2+ y ago31:58

31:58

Not many startups land their tech on the moon.Dymon has designed an autonomous lunar rover that will land near the lunar south pole later this year as part of NASA's Artemis program.Today, we sit down and talk with founder Shin Nakajima who explains what it takes for a startup to become part of a NASA mission, the role YouTube had to play, what sta…

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The lies, myths, and secrets of Japanese UI design 58:14

2+ y ago58:14

58:14

There is a lot of hate directed at Japanese UI design.To Western eyes, it's just too busy, too dense, too confusing, too outdated, and just plain wrong.And sometimes that's true, but usually there are very good, and highly profitable, reasons Japanese websites and Japanese software looks the way it does.Today I sit down and talk (and argue a bit) w…

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One way to unlock Japan’s broken e-commerce 20:55

2+ y ago20:55

20:55

Sometimes it seems like Japan is almost invisible in global e-commerce.Despite a dynamic domestic e-commerce market and a long tradition of global exports, Japan just doesn't seem that interested in selling to the outside world.But things are changing, and Kazuyoshi Nakazato of Zig Zag is working to make sure they change even faster.We talk about w…

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The forgotten mistake that killed Japan’s software industry 33:42

2+ y ago33:42

33:42

This is our 200th episode, so I wanted to do something special.Everyone loves to complain about the poor quality of Japanese software, but today I’m going to explain exactly what went wrong. You'll get the whole story, and I'll also pinpoint the specific moment Japan lost its way. By the end, I think you'll have a new perspective on Japanese softwa…

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The Ultimate Guide to Raising Money in Japan [Updated] 53:26

2+ y ago53:26

53:26

There has never been a better time to be raising money in Japan than right now.Founders ask me about fundraising more than any other topic, so this guide is long overdue. There are links that cover the basics in the Show Notes, and I will be keeping this page updated as new information becomes available and members of the community create new resou…

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How the police use proven AI to predict future crime 29:38

2+ y ago29:38

29:38

Police departments around the world are using this startup's AI to predict future crime.Mami Kajita, founder of Singular Perturbations, explains the success of their models, the public reaction to the technology, and how the physics models of glass transition lead to a crime prediction AI.We debate the future impact of crime prediction technology, …

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Why medical AI is taking off in SE Asia 28:17

2+ y ago28:17

28:17

Today's episode is about trust; trust in technology and trust in each other.Very few startups experience what LPixel went through and far fewer survive it.Today we welcome Yuki Shimahara, founder of LPixel, back to the show. The last few years have been a roller-coster for LPixel, and despite the chaos LPixel managed to created Japan's first certif…

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The secret of humble food from expensive tech 29:49

3y ago29:49

29:49

The way we get our food is changing.Many are discussing how to make modern farming more sustainable, but this startup working to end it entirely.Ikuo Hiraishi is a serial entrepreneur and the Japan head of Infarm Japan, an urban-farming startup growing food at supermarkets. In fact, as Ikuo explains, a lot more of your food is grown indoors than yo…

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The surprising things AI wants to know about your health 36:19

3y ago36:19

36:19

We need to get the health care revolution right.Artificial Intelligence promises to reduce bottlenecks, improve quality of care, and allow our over-stretched healthcare systems to scale to meet the needs of the aging global population.But it's not going to be easy.Today we talk with Kota Kubo, founder of Ubie about the opportunities and challenges …

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The $290 billion e-commerce trend you’ve never heard of 30:36

3y ago30:36

30:36

World-changing trends can start anywhere in the world today.Because the social media platforms evolved differently in Northeast Asia, e-commerce developed differently as well. And because of recent shifts in regulation and social attitudes, Western social media is going to start to look a lot more like it does in Aisa, and e-commerce trends will fo…

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The dangerous defect in most SaaS startups 42:24

3y ago42:24

42:24

You never hear the names of some of the world's best SaaS startups.Why waste money building awareness among consumers when you can quickly and steadily grow your B2B business across Japan then across Asia?Today Yu Taniguchi founder of TableCheck returns to the show and answers that question.TableCheck is rapidly expanding their table-management sys…

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Will Japan’s Manga industry ever really change? 32:01

3y ago32:01

32:01

Manga is one of Japan's best known exports, but it's surprisingly hard to make money here.Today we dig into exactly why this is. We sit down with Sho Ishiwatari, founder of Mantra, who explains how is company is trying to expand the global market by streamlining the translation and global marketing processes.We also talk about why manga is so much …

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How Snack Smuggling led to millions in VC funding 49:20

3y ago49:20

49:20

Subscription boxes can be a tough business.Most of these startups shine brightly as they burn through investor capital and flame out well before becoming profitable.But there are exceptions. So today we sit down with Danny Taing, the founder of Bokksu, to learn what he and the team did differently, how they obtained substantial VC funding, and wher…

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The secret edge of Japan’s best SaaS startups 32:21

3+ y ago32:21

32:21

There is a very good reason B2B SaaS is huge in Japan right now.Today we sit down with Chiemi Kamakura, co-founder and CEO of Agatha, and she explains why.Agatha is a Japanese SaaS company that has been global from Day 1, but is leveraging some unique strengths developed in Japan. We talk about how Japanese SIs have responded to SaaS, why Japan is …

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How do you know if your startup idea is bad?

3+ y ago

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Coming up with ideas is easy. Spotting the bad one early is a rare skill.Today we talk with Yo Shibata serial entrepreneur an investor about how you know if you really have a great startup idea.We chat about what it was like being acquired by Rakuten, and what can be done to improve M&A in Japan. Yo also talks publicly for the first time about is n…