Tokyo’s global vision: Startups driving a sustainable future

“Tokyo will achieve three ‘10 times’ goals — 10 times more startups, 10 times more global unicorns and 10 times more public-private collaborations,” Tokyo Vice Gov. Manabu Miyasaka said at the TIB Global Day 2025 Winter event held on Jan. 30 at Tokyo Innovation Base in the Marunouchi district.

Virtually limitless potential

In the quest for sustainable growth of cities, innovative ideas don’t offer just the possibility of solving problems. They also have the potential to spark transformative change, spur massive economic expansion and reshape our vision of the future. And Tokyo, with its virtually limitless potential, is poised to make this happen.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is fully committed to creating a venue where startups worldwide can gather and produce world-changing innovations. To this end, it has launched a Global Innovation with Startups strategy and introduced two key initiatives: Sustainable High City Tech Tokyo (SusHi Tech Tokyo) and Tokyo Innovation Base.

SusHi Tech Tokyo is Asia’s largest startup conference, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, major corporations, local governments and students across the globe to exchange knowledge on cutting-edge technologies and explore opportunities. TIB is a lively business hub that serves as a node of innovation where startups connected through SusHi Tech Tokyo refine their ideas and create new businesses.

Global startups choosing Tokyo

These efforts are yielding results, with more companies from across Asia, including India and Taiwan, choosing Tokyo as a major business hub or branch location and expanding their presence. Notable examples are three Taiwanese companies, including Perfect Corp., a former unicorn.

Perfect, a beauty technology company specializing in augmented reality and artificial intelligence-driven online services, such as “virtual makeup,” finds Japan an ideal market.

“Japanese consumers are highly engaged digitally and seek innovative experiences. Of the 80-plus countries we operate in, Japan has the fastest growth and the most mature market,” said President and General Manager Rob Isozaki. Perfect has achieved remarkable growth in Japan through partnerships with industry giants such as Shiseido, Kao and Kose.

Kkday, a booking platform offering over 300,000 travel products in 92 countries, has steadily increased its market influence through collaborations with major Japanese companies and secured ¥10 billion in funding from Japanese investors. Another company, Crescendo Lab, is also making inroads into the Japanese market. It offers enterprise marketing and sales solutions, aiming to expand globally by combining Taiwan’s AI and software strengths with the potential of the Japanese market.

Innovators across Asia welcome

These Asian companies have achieved major expansion in Tokyo, an important innovation hub supported by its startup ecosystem, of which SusHi Tech Tokyo is a part.

“SusHi Tech Tokyo is being held again in 2025, and we want to welcome many participants from across Asia. By bringing together startups, investors, experts and government representatives from around the world, this event will attract more global and innovative business opportunities to Tokyo. The official language will be English to ensure seamless communication,” Miyasaka said.

New SusHi Tech details for 2025

On Jan. 30, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike announced new details about SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 at the TIB Global Day 2025 Winter event, which was attended by over 700 representatives of startups, major corporations and supporting organizations.

“SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 is sure to evolve into an even larger and more productive event,” Koike declared. Along with this, two key points were stressed: creating an open platform to discuss the vision of future cities, and facilitating new encounters to accelerate innovation and startup growth.

Future city vision

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 will feature speakers from various industries, including Toshiba Corp. President and CEO Taro Shimada, who is promoting business innovation through quantum technologies. Taiwan’s former Minister of Digital Affairs and current Cyber Ambassador-at-Large Audrey Tang will also share valuable insights, drawing on her pioneering efforts in digital democracy. Droom founder Sandeep Aggarwal will discuss India’s startup ecosystem and the transformation of the e-commerce and automotive markets.

A newly introduced special content series called “Focus on” will highlight three trending technology sectors: AI (exploring how advances such as autonomous driving will reshape urban living), quantum technology (examining its potential to accelerate the evolution of AI and revolutionize industries) and food technology (showcasing innovations in sustainable production that will provide everyone with delicious, healthy meals). Accompanying these themes will be sessions by prominent speakers, as well as exhibits and demonstrations by technology startups and major companies.

Koike added, “It’s also very important to remember to have some fun,” noting that there will also be hands-on activities. At the Future Experience Pavilion, visitors can explore the future of Tokyo through six themes, including a giant anime-inspired robot. It’s a space where people can experience future technology today.

Shooting for ‘5-5-5’

This year’s SusHi Tech Tokyo is expanding dramatically as the number of large corporations is set to soar from 29 to around 40. The scale of participation is likely to exceed the “angel number” of 5-5-5, with over 500 startups, over 5,000 business meetings and over 50,000 visitors expected, creating a business environment like no other.

“We also welcome families and young people,” Koike said. In line with this vision, there will be student initiatives, such as the Innovative Technology Academic Maestro, also known as Itamae (sushi chef) in Japanese. Through this project, young innovators will take part in pitch events and curated discussions. Alongside the business-focused days for professionals, a new Public Day will be held on the final day to provide opportunities for all kinds of people to participate and engage with innovations that will shape our common future.

“I am looking forward very much to welcoming you all to Tokyo,” Koike concluded.

With a vision to gather global challengers and create a space for new challenges, the metropolitan government aims to have an event that people everywhere mark on their calendars. As the opening day approaches, expectations for SusHi Tech Tokyo are rising rapidly.

This page is sponsored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.