The startup boom that surged around 2020 has since cooled. Rapid shifts in the macro environment and structural changes in the conditions for startup growth have made the outlook less certain than before. But the spirit of founders has never disappeared. On the contrary, through a powerful cycle of renewal, a new generation of startups—rooted in evolved Japanese strengths—is emerging.

Startups have always been expected to drive structural change, responding to economic challenges and social demands. Today, they are not just innovators; they are becoming agents of transformation—solving complex social and economic issues beyond market logic, and redefining Japan's presence on the global stage.

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