Which investors are writing the most checks to Japan-based startups?
The investment, which will be spread out over the next decade, comes after companies like Microsoft and OpenAI made similar moves in the country.
https://www.techinasia.com/oracle-deploy-8b-fuel-japans-cloud-ai-growth
The mobility company, whose AI-powered dynamic routing algorithm helps generate efficient travel routes, counts Japan as its biggest market.
https://www.techinasia.com/singapore-swat-mobilitys-bags-38m-eyes-profits-2-years
The ChatGPT developer also launched a custom model optimized for the Japanese language, which reportedlt works up to 3x faster than its predecessor.
https://www.techinasia.com/openai-names-aws-japan-president-country-head-tokyo-office-debut
While the used-car marketplace is ready for an IPO, the decision to list will depend on the broader macro environment, CEO Aaron Tan told Bloomberg.
https://www.techinasia.com/carro-eyes-100m-preipo-funding-15b-valuation
This brings the VC firm’s total managed assets to over US$800 million.
https://www.techinasia.com/toyota-ventures-bookmarks-300m-global-startup-investments
Microsoft is also opening a research lab in Tokyo to focus on robotics and AI, among other things.
https://www.techinasia.com/microsoft-pours-29b-japan-boost-ai-capabilities
According to the company, Smartpay users have an average order value of US$240, which is over 40% higher than non-users.
https://www.techinasia.com/smartpay-nets-7m-cut-japans-website-cart-abandonment-rate
Here are the companies in Japan that are attracting tons of investors and have the resources to spend on software, talent, and expansion.
https://www.techinasia.com/top-funded-startups-tech-companies-japan
Which are the startups that are on the path to becoming the next big thing?
The Japanese firm mulled over an IPO last year but halted plans due to disagreements over company valuation.
https://www.techinasia.com/space-startup-astroscale-explores-possibility-tokyo-public-listing
Japan has a strong economy and is renowned for being technologically advanced. So why have the country’s startups failed to make their mark globally?
https://www.techinasia.com/japaneseness-holding-japans-startups-global
OpenAI is likely to hire local talent for the office, which will offer customer support to firms using its tech, Nikkei Asia reported.
https://www.techinasia.com/openai-open-doors-asia-office-tokyo-report
From its inception to its current initiatives, here’s a look at how Tokyo Innovation Base is set to spur innovation in Japan.
https://www.techinasia.com/tokyo-driving-era-innovation-startups
Helicap will connect Southeast Asian borrowers with Crowd Credit, which provides private lending opportunities to Japanese investors.
https://www.techinasia.com/crowd-credit-channel-50m-southeast-asia-helicap-tieup
The partnership follows Soft Space's US$31.5 million series B1 round in April last year.
https://www.techinasia.com/soft-space-enters-capital-partnership-japans-gmo-fg-series-raise
According to Alexis Ohanian, his VC firm Seven Seven Six will focus on startups designing and manufacturing processors centered around AI development.
https://www.techinasia.com/reddit-cofounder-ohanian-usjapan-chip-tieup
Jensen Huang shared his thoughts on India, Japan, and the US-China tech war at his company's developer conference.
https://www.techinasia.com/india-to-become-front-office-ai-revolution
The potential linkages will let Southeast Asian travelers use their homegrown payment apps for transactions in Japan - and vice versa.
https://www.techinasia.com/japan-integrate-qr-payment-southeast-asia-2025
Nium said that it is the first global company to meet the standards of Japan's Type 1 Funds Transfer Service Provider license.
https://www.techinasia.com/sg-fintech-firm-nium-snags-payments-license-japan
Opening Bell 🔔 is Tech in Asia’s free newsletter that brings you the biggest news and latest trends around Asia’s publicly listed tech companies.
This led to US$6.3 billion in net income for SoftBank Group as a whole, reversing a US$5.2 billion loss from the same period in 2022.
https://www.techinasia.com/softbanks-vision-fund-posts-36b-gain
Former CEO Joseph Phua has been reappointed to lead the livestreaming firm starting January 26.
https://www.techinasia.com/17lives-ceo-resigns-shares-falter-public-debut
In 50 Words: Chinese firm LandSpace aims to launch reusable rockets by 2025, resembling SpaceX's model.
https://www.techinasia.com/short/spacex-faces-2024-space-race-china-india-japan
Japan-based Micoworks, which helps businesses interact with customers through Line, is eyeing Taiwan and Thailand next.
https://www.techinasia.com/japanbased-micoworks-raises-245m-expand-martech-reach-asia
In 50 Words: Binny Bansal's new venture, OppDoor, offers a suite of solutions aimed at helping ecommerce companies expand globally.
In 50 Words: The Japanese investment giant's stock rose 5% after the announcement.
https://www.techinasia.com/short/softbanks-stake-tmobile-doubles-764
In 50 Words: The new facility will strengthen the firm's leadership position in the chips sector.
https://www.techinasia.com/short/samsung-invest-280m-japanese-chip-research-facility
In 50 Words: Tokyo-based BWB owns patents for customs clearance and logistics.
https://www.techinasia.com/short/japanese-firm-sues-alibaba-for-patent-infringement
In 50 Words: This marks the third time since August that SoftBank is trimming its stake in the food delivery giant.
https://www.techinasia.com/short/softbank-sell-11-stake-zomato-estimated-135m
Gacha Monsters aims to create and distribute intellectual properties across video games, anime, comics, physical merchandise, and Web3.
https://www.techinasia.com/gacha-monsters-beef-media-portfolio-animocaled-3m
CJF’s investment in Buyandship will make cross-border ecommerce cheaper, faster, and more relevant for Hong Kong shoppers.
https://www.techinasia.com/closer-cool-japan-funds-10m-bet-buyandship
In 50 Words: Despite the move, Rakuten Bank will continue to be a consolidated subsidiary.
https://www.techinasia.com/short/rakuten-group-sell-475m-bank-shares-manage-losses
Learning how to work across different socio-cultural lines and market conditions is paramount.
https://www.techinasia.com/neighbor-southeast-asia-japanese-firms-work-regions-startups
In 50 Words: The two entities also aim to form a banking partnership and promote Circle's Web3 services in the country.
https://www.techinasia.com/short/sbi-holdings-teams-circle-circulate-usdc-japan
In 50 Words: The amount exceeded Bain's initial US$5 billion target.
https://www.techinasia.com/short/bain-capital-raises-71b-biggest-asia-fund-2023