JStories — JStories, Japan’s solutions-focused multilingual news service, proudly launches its latest initiative: “JStories on the streets” — a video series designed to capture on-the-ground perspectives on innovation, culture, and social impact across Japan.
With this new format, the JStories team goes to the streets to hear directly from the people experiencing and shaping change. From founders and creatives to students and citizens, each episode taps real voices and fresh ideas helping to solve today’s biggest challenges. In particular, international visitors and residents often bring fresh eyes, which uncover hidden innovations and local strengths that may go unnoticed within Japan, thus offering new ways of looking at the country’s potential.
Rooted in JStories’ mission to highlight practical, forward-looking responses to societal issues, JStories on the streets adds more depth to the platform’s storytelling, offering audiences around the world a closer look at how innovation lives and breathes in everyday Japan.
The debut episode, filmed at SusHi Tech 2025 Tokyo, one of Asia’s largest startup events, is now live. In this first episode, we explore how global entrepreneurs and curious visitors view Japan’s startup ecosystem. From the vibrant booths of the event to the spontaneous street interviews, the episode captures both the energy and complexity of doing innovation in Japan. Viewers share candid thoughts on Japan’s unique business culture, the hurdles of bureaucracy, the need for greater openness to diversity and global talent, and the potential of Tokyo as a future startup hub.
Watch the first episode▼
Comment from Toshi Maeda, Executive Editor of JStories and CEO of Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting:
“At JStories, we believe that solutions can come from anywhere — and often, the most compelling ones come from the ground up. With JStories on the Streets, we’re bringing that philosophy to life, capturing the energy of innovation as it happens and giving voice to those building a better future. We’re excited to share this new format with our global audience.”
