Largest Japan-Taiwan startup events wrap up in Osaka, Tokyo

JStories ー Two landmark startup occasions in Osaka and Tokyo this August underscored the deepening ties between Taiwan and Japan’s innovation ecosystems. Organized by Startup Island TAIWAN — a government-backed model below Taiwan’s Nationwide Improvement Council — the conferences introduced collectively about 75 startups and lots of of buyers, officers, and entrepreneurs in what members described as the most important Taiwan-Japan startup showcase up to now.

The Osaka occasion’s spotlight was the 2025 Taiwan Tech Week (Aug. 20-22), whereas Tokyo had its Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit (Aug. 25–26). From AI and good cities to renewable power and cross-border M&A, the 2 occasions showcased the ambitions of Taiwan’s next-generation founders and their rising affect in Japan.

Osaka’s “2025 Taiwan Tech Week” program (left), group photograph from the “2025 Japan–Taiwan Innovation Summit” in Tokyo (proper) Photographs by Emi Takahata | JStories (Identical under)

Osaka: AI options for city innovation (Aug. 20)

The sequence opened in Osaka with a one-day discussion board, “AI Options for Creating the Way forward for City Innovation.” One of many audio system, Startup Island TAIWAN Director Leo Wu, famous that greater than 40 Taiwanese startups now function within the Kansai area — double the quantity simply two years in the past. He pledged additional regional partnerships and revealed that as many as 100 Taiwanese startups are anticipated to obtain government-backed funding over the following three years to broaden globally.

Leo Wu, director at Startup Island Taiwan (SIT), speaks at the forum. He noted that Taiwanese startups in Kansai have doubled in the past two years — Leo Wu, director at Startup Island Taiwan (SIT), speaks on the discussion board. He famous that Taiwanese startups in Kansai have doubled up to now two years

Takuro Maekawa, common supervisor at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), was subsequent to take the stage. He acknowledged that Japan has lagged within the shift towards cashless funds and continues to face challenges, however mentioned the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo helps to energise innovation communities. Maekawa emphasised that SMBC is working towards a completely cashless fee system and highlighted the significance of collaborating with main startups from Taiwan and different markets to attain that aim.

SMBC’s Maekawa outlines plans for the “Sumitomo Pavilion” at the expo and emphasizes the bank’s push toward innovation — SMBC’s Maekawa outlines plans for the “Sumitomo Pavilion” on the expo and emphasizes the financial institution’s push towards innovation

The primary occasion featured a roundtable dialogue that includes David Bae, a Korean entrepreneur and head of Japan’s BIG Impression Inc.; Brian Lim, COO of Encognize GK from Malaysia; and Joshua Flannery, an Australian who co-founded and leads the Innovation Dojo group, which connects startups between Japan and Australia.

Drawing on cross-border case research — from Silicon Valley corporations coming into Japan to Japanese startups increasing overseas — the panelists mentioned the prospect of a wider Asia-Pacific startup ecosystem by collaborations not simply between Japan and Taiwan, however throughout Korea, ASEAN, and Australia.

A key theme that emerged was the significance of Kansai as a market. Panelists famous that the area’s GDP is bigger than that of many international locations. Overseas corporations usually goal Tokyo as their entry level, however increasing into Osaka and the encompassing areas is simply as crucial for achievement in Japan.

From left: Startup Island Taiwan’s Leo Wu, Brian Lim, David Bae, and Joshua Flannery. They discussed cross-border collaboration in the Asia-Pacific — From left: Startup Island Taiwan’s Leo Wu, Brian Lim, David Bae, and Joshua Flannery. They mentioned cross-border collaboration within the Asia-Pacific

Meet the Tech Founders (Aug. 21)

The second day of the convention featured a pitch contest amongst Taiwanese startup founders. 13 corporations joined from completely different fields, akin to autonomous driving, good parking, power IoT, and satellite tv for pc communications.

One of many notable members was NextDrive, which partnered with TEPCO and Chubu Electrical and gained Japan’s New Power Award in 2022. The corporate mentioned it goals for a Japanese IPO by 2027, constructing on contracts already secured within the Kansai area.

Taiwanese startups showcase their technologies again on Day 2, using the pitch contest as a networking venue for investors and other startups — Taiwanese startups showcase their applied sciences once more on Day 2, utilizing the pitch contest as a networking venue for buyers and different startups

Exhibition cubicles have been set as much as enable guests to expertise the applied sciences. Yohei Takeda of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Trade, who additionally attended final 12 months, instructed JStories, “Because the Expo can be taking place this 12 months, I seen that extra rising top-level startups have gathered this time in comparison with final 12 months.”

Attendees test live demos at startup booths in Umeda10, where the event was held — Attendees take a look at reside demos at startup cubicles in Umeda10, the place the occasion was held

Tokyo: Fourth Japan–Taiwan Innovation Summit (Aug. 25-26)

On Aug. 25, all roads led to Tokyo Imperial Lodge, the place 45 Taiwanese startups joined the fourth Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit.

In his keynote speech, Chin-Ching Liu, minister of Taiwan’s Nationwide Improvement Council, reported that Taiwan’s GDP grew 6.7% within the first half of 2025, attributing a lot of it to startups. Japan, he mentioned, is Taiwan’s “most pure first associate” in worldwide enlargement, citing cultural and industrial similarities.

Minister Liu opens the Tokyo summit with remarks on Taiwan’s economy and startup growth — Minister Liu opens the Tokyo summit with remarks on Taiwan’s financial system and startup progress

The following speaker was Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, who in 2024 signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with SIT concerning assist for startups. She shared {that a} joint occasion with Taiwan was held in Taipei this July, joined by 5 startups from Tokyo, with the aim of strengthening collaboration within the Japan-Taiwan startup ecosystem and selling its initiatives. She additionally wished to proceed constructing a bridge between Taiwan and Tokyo to foster innovation sooner or later.

Tokyo Gov.Yuriko Koike addresses the summit’s opening session

CVC Methods and Cross-Border M&A (Aug. 25)

One of many foremost occasions of the day was the Company Enterprise Capital (CVC) session, which featured main Taiwanese VCs akin to Z Enterprise Capital and Sony Ventures and was moderated by SparkLabs Taiwan consultant Edgar Chiu. This session, designed to speed up the expansion of the Japan-Taiwan startup ecosystem and promote capital and enterprise collaboration, mentioned the potential of funding methods and partnerships within the “CVC 4.0” period. Amid worldwide initiatives akin to Taiwan’s “World Bridge” program and new startup hubs in Japan, the dialogue targeted on deep tech cooperation in semiconductors and AI to deal with shared challenges like declining birthrates and getting older populations.

Panelists, from left: Edgar Chiu, Takamasa Tokuda, Daniel Song, Ryan Kuo, and Toshiaki Konno discuss long-term strategic partnerships — Panelists, from left: Edgar Chiu, Takamasa Tokuda, Daniel Track, Ryan Kuo, and Toshiaki Konno talk about long-term strategic partnerships

One other occasion was a panel dialogue specializing in Japan-Taiwan cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The moderator was Hidetaka Kojima, common supervisor of Group Administration Promotion at SHIFT, a quickly rising firm executing round 40 M&As yearly. The panelists included notable M&A specialists Could Kao, CFO of 91APP*-KY; Allen Sung, CEO of USPACE; and Ying Wei Chen, head of company improvement at Appier. Drawing on their intensive expertise, they mentioned the developments in Japan-Taiwan M&A and alternatives for enterprise enlargement.

From left: Hidetaka Kojima, May Kao, Allen Sung, and Ying Wei Chen share insights on M&A strategies — From left: Hidetaka Kojima, Could Kao, Allen Sung, and Ying Wei Chen share insights on M&A methods

Pitch Marathon and Tokyo Hub Anniversary (Aug. 26)

Day 2 happenings have been held at Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB) in Marunouchi. Round 40 Taiwanese startups pitched improvements in AI, well being tech, and good cities to an viewers of buyers and Japanese founders.

JStories Executive Editor Toshi Maeda, also Startup Island Taiwan Tokyo Hub’s co-representative, delivers remarks on the occasion of Tokyo Hub's first anniversary — JStories Govt Editor Toshi Maeda, additionally Startup Island Taiwan Tokyo Hub’s co-representative, delivers remarks on the event of Tokyo Hub’s first anniversary

After the occasion, a commemorative ceremony was held on the Tokyo Hub, which Startup Island Taiwan established final 12 months along side the “2024 Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit,” to rejoice its first anniversary. On the ceremony, members have been briefed on the Tokyo Hub’s achievements over its first 12 months and its plans. Toshi Maeda, government editor of JStories, the official media associate of the occasion, took the stage to speak the potential of Japan-Taiwan collaboration by information experiences and the importance of startups taking over cross-border challenges.

When these two massive startup occasions concluded, it left a powerful sense that Japan-Taiwan collaboration is transferring to the following stage. Shuhei Yamada, professor at Oberlin College Graduate College, instructed JStories that concerning the longer term prospects of Japan-Taiwan cooperation, “It’s more and more acknowledged in Japanese society that Taiwan is a hub for high-tech industries akin to semiconductors.” He added, “I imagine there’ll proceed to be alternatives to broaden collaboration, particularly within the high-tech and tourism sectors.” He has participated within the Innovation Summit since its inception and is well-versed in Taiwanese startups in Japan.

Shuhei Yamada, visiting professor at J.F. Oberlin University, speaks at Tokyo Hub’s first anniversary event — Shuhei Yamada, visiting professor at J.F. Oberlin College, speaks at Tokyo Hub’s first anniversary occasion

Moreover, Liu Chin-Ching, minister of Taiwan’s Nationwide Improvement Council, mirrored on the occasion, telling JStories: “We’re as soon as once more grateful to Japan for warmly welcoming Taiwanese startups. We look ahead to even larger collaborative achievements from the fervour of Japanese startups and the bonds of Japan-Taiwan friendship.”