Japan Global Innovators’ Forum (JGIF) 2025: Startups from Japan and beyond unite to tackle global challenges

JSTORIES — Startups and innovators committed to solving global social issues gathered in Tokyo on March 13 for the second annual Japan Global Innovators’ Forum (JGIF), a global pitch event to share innovations beyond Japan’s borders.

The forum was co-hosted by Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting, Inc., which operates J-Stories, Japan’s first solution-focused media platform, and Mainichi Future Creation Lab, Inc., an accelerator backed by The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd., and other investors. First held in March 2023, this year’s event significantly expanded in scale, with the number of participating startups nearly doubling from six to eleven. Notable companies from Japan and overseas, including Taiwan, showcased their groundbreaking ideas.

MCs and presenters pose for a photo at JGIF 2025 on March 13, 2025. Photo by J-Stories (Emi Takahata) (Same below)

With a focus on "inclusive innovation"—ensuring sustainability without leaving anyone behind—the event provided a platform for startups tackling global social challenges to showcase their products and technologies to the world. The entire event was conducted in English.

From left: Sayuri Daimon, J-Stories editorial advisor, and Toshi Maeda, J-Stories executive editor, emcee the JGIF 2025 event.

This year, the pitch categories were refined to emphasize innovation, featuring life sciences, sustainability, and mobility sectors. A new category, "Challenges from Regional Japan," was introduced to spotlight startups emerging from outside major urban centers.

Life Sciences

The Life Sciences category reflected Japan’s aging society, with discussions centering on personalized cancer treatment and AI-driven health management.

Po Chen, CEO of CancerFree Biotech presents to attendees

Leading off the session was CancerFree Biotech, a Taiwanese biotechnology startup that has developed a 3D "avatar" model of tumor cells using a patient’s blood sample to analyze cancer cell activity in real time. This cutting-edge liquid biopsy technology enables precise treatment tailored to individual patients.

CEO Po Chen expressed the company’s ambitions to expand in Japan, having won multiple awards at major startup events last year. “We aim to bring optimal treatment solutions to more patients and redefine cancer therapy,” he said.

Kiki Usui, Founder of Hubbit, presents to attendees

Tokyo-based Hubbit is a health-tech startup offering a novel approach to help dementia patients connect more deeply with their families and caregivers. The company’s simple yet powerful tool has the potential to revolutionize daily dementia care.

Founder Kiki Usui emphasized that Hubbit’s technology can significantly enhance the quality of dementia care and improve patient interactions.

Hitomi Uchino, CEO of Wellness Expert, talks to attendees

Fukuoka-based Wellness Expert promotes healthy aging through beauty-focused initiatives. Led by CEO Hitomi Uchino, the company collaborates with local communities to develop new support systems that enable seniors to lead vibrant, independent lives.

Technological innovations in logistics, finance, and aerospace

Tokyo-based Logistical is more than just a logistics company. Inspired by the "codeshare flights" model in the airline industry, Logistical enables multiple logistics providers to collaborate, reducing costs and environmental impact.

Shahboz Khayriloev, CEO of Logistical, describes his company to attendees

CEO Shahboz Khayriloev, originally from Uzbekistan, is based in Shibuya’s startup accelerator hub and is pioneering an AI-driven joint delivery system to optimize logistics across Japan.

Kyoto-based Valuufy was founded in 2023 based on a decade of research at Doshisha University and the Value Research Center. The company developed ValuuCompass, which helps businesses measure and leverage their sustainability efforts.

Marco Koder, Co-founder of Valuufy, explains the advantages of his service

Co-founder Marco Koder, originally from Germany, leads a team of experts in value creation, sustainability, and ESG to help companies balance profitability with sustainable practices.

Shizuoka-based Arase Aizawa Aerospatiale develops engine-powered drones capable of long-distance flight, catering to disaster prevention and recovery efforts.

Ken Suzuki, CEO of Arase Aizawa Aerospatiale, adresses the audience

Founded by former Suzuki engineers specializing in motorcycle engines, the company aims to revolutionize drone technology in disaster-prone Japan, enhancing infrastructure resilience.

The pitch event featured a panel of three renowned venture capitalists (VCs) from Japan and Taiwan:

Matthew Romaine, investor and co-founder of Shizen Capital and Gengo, a cloud-based translation service.
Tim Romero, representative of JERA Ventures, host of the "Disrupting Japan" podcast, and former Google Japan Startup Lead.
Kazuaki Konno, venture partner of Darwin Ventures, former Nissan engineer, and ex-BCG consultant.

From left to right: Tim Romero, representative of JERA Ventures, Matthew Romaine, investor and co-founder of Shizen Capital and Gengo, and Kazuaki Konno, venture partner of Darwin Ventures talk to attendees

The judges provided feedback on the startups’ global viability, offering strategic advice for international expansion.

At the event’s conclusion, Tomotsu Takatsuka, CEO of Mainichi Future Creation Lab, praised the pitch’s quality, stating, “Every startup’s presentation was outstanding and inspiring. As we enter our second year, we look forward to further expanding this event.”

Tomotsu Takatsuka, CEO of Mainichi Future Creation Lab gives the concluding speech

The next JGIF is scheduled for 2026, promising even greater opportunities for Japanese and international startups to share their innovations on the world stage.