Japan's social innovators meet the world - and get their overseas growth potential assessed - at inaugural Japan Global Innovators' Forum

J-STORIES ー Tokyo, a bustling hub of innovation, played host to the inaugural Japan Global Innovators’ Forum (JGIF) on March 15, a trailblazing English-language startup event that promoted a dialogue between innovators in Japan and their potential supporters overseas, including investors.

Held at the Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB) in Yurakucho and live-streamed to the world, JGIF shone a spotlight on Japan-based social entrepreneurs aspiring to scale globally while providing solutions to social and environmental challenges shared across the world.

Investors, journalists and business professionals gathered at the Tokyo Innovation Base to watch the practical discussions between Japanese startups and commentators who joined online from overseas.

Co-hosted by Japan's first solution-focused news service J-Stories and startup accelerator Mainichi Future Creation Lab, the event showcased six Japanese startups tackling universal social challenges. Aligned with Tokyo's push towards "Inclusive Innovation," the participating teams presented their unique products and technologies aimed at not just commercial success but creating a world where sustainable development and inclusivity go hand in hand.

Addressing some of the most pressing global issues, the pitches were divided into three critical categories: Disaster Tech, Age Tech and Clean Energy.

In Disaster Tech, two startups - Aster and Ai Heart Japan - took the stage, presenting a quake-resistant coating and a device that extracts drinkable water from the air, respectively. This year, Ai Heart Japan has donated several of its atmospheric water generators (AWGs) to the areas affected by the deadly 7.6-magnitude earthquake that jolted Japan's Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day.

Aster's COO and co-founder Shanthanu explains its unique coating materials that can make masonry buildings more quake-resistant.    Photos by Desiderio Luna — Aster's COO and co-founder Shanthanu explains its unique coating materials that can make masonry buildings more quake-resistant. Photos by Desiderio Luna

Motoki Hachisuka from Ai Heart Japan demonstrates the company's atmospheric water generation (AGW) technology that can turn the air into drinking water.

The event featured international venture capitalists, including Jan Lozek, founder of Germany-based Future Energy Ventures, and innovation experts like Johan Martens, innovation manager at Doctors Without Borders. They provided practical advice and insights to participating startups on how to effectively introduce their solutions to global markets.

Other commentators and panelists at the the event included: serial entrepreneur and investor Jeff Char, who now leads Sogo Energy; Matthew Romaine, co-founder and managing director of Tokyo-based Shizen Capital; Bjoern Eichstaedt, publisher of Japan-focused business magazine J-BIG based in Germany; Yoko Kojima, head of ESG at Spanish venture capital firm Mundi Ventures, and former TEPCO innovation director Hiro Yamaguchi, now running consultancy Beyond Next Energy.

(From left) Shizen Capital Co-founder Matthew Romaine, Aster's Shanthanu and Ai Heart Japan's Motoki Hachisuka join the discussion in the Disaster Tech session as Johan Martens (on screen), innovation manager at Doctors Without Borders, shares his feedback from Holland.

For Age Tech, representatives from Magic Shields and Assist Motion showcased innovations like a flooring material that prevents fall-induced fractures and a walking assistance robot for those with mobility impairments with a volunteer trying on the robotic suit on stage.

The Age Tech group session was joined by Bjoern Eichstaedt from Germany (left on screen), published of Japan-focused magazine J-BIG, and Yoko Kojima from Spain (right on screen), head of ESG at Madrid-based Mundi Ventures. — The Age Tech group session was joined by Bjoern Eichstaedt from Germany (left on screen), published of Japan-focused magazine J-BIG, and Yoko Kojima from Spain (right on screen), head of ESG at Madrid-based Mundi Ventures.

Shizuoka-based Magic Shields' CEO Hiroshi Shimamura talks about the "magic floor" whose hard surface turns soft only when a person falls or a heavy object drops on it.

Mainichi Future Creation Lab's CEO Tamotsu Takatsuka (left) tries on the robotic suit designed to make it easier for elderly people to walk as its developer Assist Motion's CEO Minoru Hashimoto explains the product for the audience.

The Clean Energy category buzzed with excitement as Nagoya-based Ability unveiled a portable hydrogen cartridge for mobility to be purchasable at convenience stores, much like a soda can, eliminating reliance on hydrogen stations, which are still rare in Japan.

Similarly, wind power startup Challenergy introduced a resilient and eco-friendly "bladeless" wind turbine, marking a significant step towards more sustainable energy solutions that can withstand severe weather conditions such as typhoons and cyclones.

Ability's CEO Masao Fujimoto talks about his Nagoya-based startup's portable hydrogen cartridges for mobility.

Yuya Akatsuchi from wind power startup Challenergy discusses its "bladeless" wind turbines that can withstand severe weather conditions such as typhoons.

Toshi Maeda, executive editor of J-Stories, explained that a lack of opportunities for Japanese startups to broadcast their solutions to the world led to the creation of this pitch event.

"Japanese startups have the potential to make a significant international impact, yet they often focus solely on domestic funding and business development," Maeda noted. "This event is a leap towards giving these startups the international voice they deserve."

Mainichi Future Creation Lab, a co-host of the event, highlighted their commitment to supporting Zebra companies – businesses that strive for sustainable community development rather than just rapid growth. "The theme of this event, 'Inclusive Innovation,' is born from a vision to build a sustainable world where no one is left behind, mirroring the philosophy behind the Zebra companies we support," said Takatsuka Yasushi, CEO of Mainichi national daily's startup accelerator.

Supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper and the Office of Economy and Commerce at the Spanish Embassy in Japan, organizers plan to hold this event on a regular basis to spur dialogues between Japanese startups and global innovation experts, providing opportunities for social entrepreneurs in Japan to expand overseas.