Startup Revolution: How Tokyo is Pioneering the Future of Innovation

What about the flying taxis promised in that famous sci-fi film? Or combat sports where players duke it out in robot suits? Bold initiatives and boundless ideas among Tokyo's younger generations are transforming the metropolis into a teeming hub of innovation. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is rewriting the rulebook, making the city — and its startups — the center of attention for entrepreneurs worldwide. In a word, the TMG is leading a startup revolution. TMG has launched its audacious 10x10x10 Strategy, aiming to multiply startups, unicorns, and partnerships tenfold by 2027. This is not just a numbers game. It is a mission to create a vibrant, forward-looking ecosystem where innovation thrives, and entrepreneurs can dream big.

Innovation with a Purpose

At the heart of this transformation is SusHi Tech Tokyo (Sustainable High City Tech Tokyo), a groundbreaking initiative blending sustainability with cutting-edge technology. Think AI-powered urban farming, plant-based ice cream, or exoskeletons that enhance human strength — all showcased at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024. What SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 has in store is bound to exceed expectations.

Packed with bold ideas, practical applications, and inspiring collaborations, SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 was the ultimate destination for anyone looking to explore the forefront of technology.

Such collaborations at this high-profile event turned heads with their dazzling display of futuristic gadgets. Take the Raptor, a tri-wheel electric vehicle set to revolutionize urban transport. Exoskeleton suits were another mind-blowing highlight. Amplifying human movements without power sources, they turn wearers into real-life fighters and redefine inclusivity in sports.

Towards an Innovation Hub

So, how is it that more and more younger people in Tokyo are venturing into entrepreneurship? This is because TMG is not just focused on established entrepreneurs. It is laying the groundwork for the next generation through the Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB).

This flagship initiative is designed to foster creativity and innovation, bringing together government bodies, academia, and the private sector to create fertile ground for technological breakthroughs.

A dynamic two-day boot camp called JAM CAMP was designed to ignite innovation among students. Held on December 13 and 14, 2024, the event brought together aspiring entrepreneurs to collaborate, brainstorm, and develop compelling business ideas.

Participants engaged in intensive workshops, refining their concepts under the mentorship of industry experts, for presentations that showcased their entrepreneurial spirit.

Their enthusiasm was palpable. Instead of scratching their heads or panicking, everybody was laughing and beaming radiant smiles from start to finish as they engaged in debate.

*JAM CAMP 2024 participants listening to a presentation (©Japan Forward by Shaun Fernando)*

Developing Courage

Nakashima Asami, the Project Manager at Gaiax and CEO of UKIYO Education, was one of the mentors at the event. She has led startups like the skincare brand TSURU in the skin and sexual wellness sectors.

Listening to the participants' presentations and talking with other mentors, Nakashima observed that "deep down, many [students] actually want to pursue something different."

She emphasized that drawing out these hidden aspirations was a valuable learning experience. This process, she reflected, "taught me the importance of understanding both the words and the deeper feelings behind them."

A staff member at the venue acknowledged that "Not all of their ideas work." However, this is a central component of the program. "The key is for students to experience this process. Even failure is valuable because it teaches them something important. This is the core purpose of the JAM CAMP," he adds.

ITAMAE (meaning sushi chef in Japanese), a key feature of SusHi Tech Tokyo, inspires student entrepreneurs to innovate and connect in the startup world. Run by university students, it stands for "Innovative Technology Academic MAEstro." Wakabayashi Miho, director of TMG's Startup Promotion Section, Innovation Promotion Division, Office for Startup and Global Financial City Strategy, explains.

*ITAMAE participants at the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program (courtesy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government)*

"We held the Shusseuo Pitch contest, inspired by the term shusseuo, where fish grow and gain new names as they mature. It challenged student entrepreneurs to dream big," she explains." One winner secured a 70 million JPY investment from panel investors, proving that with the right platform, student ideas can turn into extraordinary opportunities."

Startups Taking Flight

Apart from this educational and supportive foundation, what else could be inspiring these young people? Well, perhaps it is the fact that Tokyo's startups are beginning to soar. Quite literally.

SkyDrive has forged a groundbreaking partnership with the TMG, propelling the future of urban mobility forward. As part of its INNOVATION TOKYO PROJECT, the TMG supports SkyDrive with funding, collaborative opportunities, and access to key industry partnerships, propelling their technology toward commercial success.

*The SKYDRIVE eVTOL (courtesy of SkyDrive)*

In 2022, it unveiled the "SKYDRIVE," a cutting-edge electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — a three-seater air taxi designed to tackle urban congestion with zero-emission, low-noise flights. SKYDRIVE will perform a demo flight at the upcoming Expo 2025 in Osaka, a major international event.

In the near future, SkyDrive plans to launch fully autonomous flying cars, revolutionizing city transport with safety, sustainability, and efficiency. But it doesn't stop there! Its cargo drones are reshaping logistics as SkyDrive leads the charge in sustainable mobility. Welcome to the future of travel!

A Call to Dreamers

TMG's Startup Strategy Promotion director Wakabayashi shared, "Tokyo is bursting with opportunities for bold, young trailblazers ready to make their mark. With ever-expanding initiatives designed to fuel your ambition, now's the time to dive in. Join our programs and discover the thrill, excitement, and rewards of embracing new challenges."

JAM CAMP Participants like Hiyama Motoharu, whose winning idea came to life through the camp, are the embodiment of TMG's mission. "This experience really helped me grow, and that's how my idea came to life. I truly feel I've grown through this process," he concluded.

*(From left to right) Nakashima Asami, Wakabayashi Miho, Hiyama Motoharu (©Japan Forward by Shaun Fernando)*

For these aspiring entrepreneurs, Tokyo is no longer just a destination. Now, it is a launchpad. With its groundbreaking initiatives, the city is not just adapting to the global startup movement — it is shaping it.

Author: Daniel Manning, Reporter, Japan Forward

This article is published in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.