TOKYO (Taiwan News) — The Japan–Taiwan Innovation Summit, now in its fourth year, opened on Aug. 25 at the Imperial Hotel, where more than 50 Taiwanese startups presented to Japanese investors and companies.
Set in one of Japan’s top three traditional hotels founded by Eiichi Shibusawa, often called the “father of Japanese capitalism,” the event paired legacy with modern entrepreneurship.
Over the past four years, Japan has become the top overseas destination for Taiwanese startups, overtaking the US for the first time in seven years, according to PwC Taiwan’s 2024 Taiwan Startup Ecosystem Survey. In the poll, 25.2% chose Japan as their first expansion market, compared with 24.7% for the US, reflecting advantages in proximity and cultural affinity.
The summit drew influential figures from both sides. From Taiwan, National Development Council Minister Chin-Ching Liu (劉鏡清) led the delegation alongside venture capitalists from Darwin Ventures and CDIB Capital.
From Japan, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike delivered remarks, joined by Tomohiro Takashima, director general of the Japan External Trade Organization, and senior executives from Mizuho Bank, the Mitsubishi group, and Sony Ventures. Their presence underscored how startup collaboration is becoming a strategic part of bilateral ties linking policy, finance, and industry.
Mergers and acquisitions emerged as a key theme. Taiwanese startups are structuring growth through targeted deals, including Appier’s 2019 purchase of Tokyo-based Emotion Intelligence (Emin), integrated as “AiDeal,” with Uspace and MoBagel also turning to M&A to accelerate market entry.
In the week leading up to the summit, Startup Island Taiwan extended outreach beyond Tokyo. In Osaka, it partnered with Hankyu Hanshin Holdings to stage a showcase and forum, while a second event at Kyoto University with its venture arm Kyoto University Innovation Capital (iCAP) connected Taiwanese founders to the university spinout ecosystem.
Organizers said exchanges are shifting from symbolic to structural. With Japan surpassing the US as the top destination and Japanese companies under pressure to strengthen open innovation pipelines, both sides have incentives to deepen cooperation — fitting for a venue founded by Shibusawa and emblematic of bridging tradition and modern enterprise.
AloJapan.com