First Sushi, now Ramen: Fukuoka unveils “RAMEN TECH” for innovation

J-STORIES – Japan's startup ecosystem is rapidly advancing – including support for entrepreneurs, funding from investors, government assistance, and infrastructure. Yet, it still grapples with challenges in boosting its prominence on the global stage.

In May of this year, a report from StartupBlink, an Israeli research firm, revealed that Japan has fallen to 21st place on the Global Startup Ecosystem Index, a decline from its ranking the previous year. Japan currently holds the 5th position within Asia, behind Singapore, China, India, and South Korea.

Both local and national governments are actively enhancing the startup ecosystem by organizing international networking events. These events connect startups worldwide with investors, venture capitalists, and industry leaders, providing excellent opportunities for talent scouting.

In May, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government hosted the international startup event SusHi Tech (Sustainable High City Tech). Named after Tokyo's iconic sushi, the event drew 40,000 participants from 82 countries and regions.

On Oct. 8 and 9, the government of Fukuoka City – located on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu island – held RAMEN TECH (Revolutionizing Asia: Merging Ecosystems & Networks - Tech), a networking event that brings together startups from around the world to foster innovation. This event emphasizes that Japan's "startup cities" go beyond Tokyo, with Fukuoka charming the globe – thanks in part to its famous ramen culture.

Representatives take the stage from government-backed startup support organizations and funds across Asia, including Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, and India, to participate in one of various panel discussions conducted in English at the Daimyo Conference Center on Oct. 9, 2024.       Source: Fukuoka City — Representatives take the stage from government-backed startup support organizations and funds across Asia, including Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, and India, to participate in one of various panel discussions conducted in English at the Daimyo Conference Center on Oct. 9, 2024. Source: Fukuoka City

Fukuoka is renowned as the birthplace of “tonkotsu ramen” (a creamy pork bone broth usually served with long, thin noodles and topped with different ingredients). For over a decade, Fukuoka City has been dedicated to supporting startups, and hosting networking events since 2018. This year, inspired by Tokyo's SusHI Tech, the city decided to rename the event to emphasize ramen, which is said to have surpassed sushi in popularity among international tourists.

In an interview with J-Stories, Kei Kuramitsu, who oversees global startup initiatives for Fukuoka City, highlighted that the event takes place in an open space in the Tenjin area. Located in the western part of Fukuoka City, this vibrant area offers a great variety of stores, bars, restaurants, and entertainment options. This unique setting allows participants from around the world to mingle naturally with the general public, setting it apart from other startup events. Kuramitsu emphasized that the global appeal of ramen serves as a welcoming slogan, attracting many participants from around the world.

Attendees gather to visit the local ramen vendors in the outdoor space during RAMEN TECH. The atmosphere attracted not only startup stakeholders but also local families and high school students, making it a community-oriented and international gathering.      Source: J-Stories (same below) — Attendees gather to visit the local ramen vendors in the outdoor space during RAMEN TECH. The atmosphere attracted not only startup stakeholders but also local families and high school students, making it a community-oriented and international gathering. Source: J-Stories (same below)

The event has not only changed its name but has also increasingly focused on networking with international participants. In addition to local startups and investors, it welcomed startups from outside the city and around the globe. The program included pitch competitions conducted in English and sessions led by industry professionals. Staying true to the ramen theme, four renowned local ramen shops set up stalls, creating a vibrant space where attendees could enjoy delicious ramen — a major hit.

A global event with international participants engaging in English

The event brought together startups and representatives from government-backed startup support organizations and funds across various countries and regions, including Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, India, and Finland. With pitches and discussions conducted primarily in English, it showcased a truly global atmosphere. Although some sessions were held in Japanese, the majority of communication occurred in English without the use of interpreters.

Driving this initiative is Sōichirō Takashima, the mayor of Fukuoka, who declared the city a "startup city" in 2012. Initially focused on raising awareness about startups, Takashima noted that after six years of ongoing exchange events, Fukuoka may now be home to the largest concentration of problem-solving startups in Asia.

Sōichirō Takashima, mayor of Fukuoka City and a leading advocate for startup development since 2012, moderates a panel discussion.

“This year's theme is "Global." I want to create an environment where startups can challenge themselves globally without having to go to Tokyo,” said Mayor Takashima.

“While smaller in scale than Tokyo's SusHi Tech, it is excelling in global appeal.”

While Fukuoka's RAMEN TECH may not match the scale of Tokyo's SusHi Tech, it is "excelling in global appeal," as the RAMEN TECH team proudly noted. They emphasized that the event excels in energy and attracts startup stakeholders from various parts of Asia.

Matthew Romaine, a venture capitalist with Tokyo-based Shizen Capital, echoed this sentiment, stating that the diversity of languages and nationalities at Fukuoka City’s RAMEN TECH event surpasses that of its Tokyo counterpart.

Matthew Romaine of Shizen Capital, a Tokyo-based venture capital firm, participated as a speaker during a panel discussion at RAMEN TECH.

Fukuoka City is dedicated to building a robust global startup community, offering practical support such as assistance with visa acquisition for foreign entrepreneurs and resources for hiring English-speaking talent. This collaborative effort involves both the city and local organizations.

Mayor Takashima also emphasized the unique advantages of fostering startups in Fukuoka, a city that has struggled with water shortage due to its lack of large rivers. For instance, in fields such as disaster and infrastructure tech — which includes monitoring water pipe leaks from satellites — Fukuoka actively supports and integrates advanced technologies, positioning itself ahead of other cities.

Four local ramen shops set up booths to serve food to attendees at RAMEN TECH.

Numerous global startups have united for this dynamic event

Over the course of the two-day sessions, numerous international themes were addressed. Discussions included practical topics such as "How to nurture unicorns in Asia," "How Asian startups attract investments from overseas VCs," and "Tips for overseas startups to engage in investment and collaboration in Japan." Participants from various countries shared insights on the support available in their respective nations and the current state of international collaboration.

Notably, discussions highlighted startup support in countries like India, which boasts over 100 unicorns (valued at over $1 billion), and Singapore, which, despite having a population of only about 5 million — roughly 40% of Tokyo's — proudly hosts 30 unicorns. Attendees listened intently to insights regarding the effective support systems in these regions.

Wei-Chen Lo (center), head of Japanese operations for Taiwanese company Whoscall, which offers online fraud prevention services, discusses the launch of its services into the Japanese market from Fukuoka City.

More than 10 startups from Taiwan participated in the event, including Whoscall, a company that offers online fraud prevention services using AI technology. Whoscall chose Fukuoka as its base when it began its expansion into the Japanese market in 2020.

Despite facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, Whoscall has successfully advanced its proof-of-concept trials and B2C service offerings in Japan. Participation in RAMEN TECH has facilitated discussions about potential collaborations with Japanese companies, clarifying pathways for B2B service expansion.

"We aim to leverage the strong foundation provided by local sponsors, including banks and power companies associated with RAMEN TECH, to introduce our solutions to the networks of local businesses," said Wei-Chen Lo, head of Japanese operations, expressing optimism about future opportunities.