Government Support of Foreign Entrepreneurs Entering Japan’s Startup Ecosystem

This chapter, part of the “Immigrant technology startups in Japan” project, explores government support for foreign entrepreneurs entering Japan’s startup ecosystem. Moreover, it focuses on transnational entrepreneurship’s role through the lens of supporting organizations, using qualitative methods based on interviews and information from one-stop support centers in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Fukuoka, Japan. The research also incorporates secondary data from reputable sources such as METI, JETRO, and global entrepreneurship reports. Findings reveal Japan’s position in the global ecosystem, diverse support strategies by local-level organizations under a universal policy, and the advantages and adaptability of immigrant entrepreneurs within this context. Several implications emerge from this research: (1) Despite contrasting with the blueprint model of Silicon Valley, the multi-scalar government-led ecosystem is functioning well in Japan due to its embeddedness in Japan’s unique background. (2) The balance of power between the central government and local governments may change in accordance with social and economic development. (3) More private initiatives should be expected in the future. (4) The coexistence of different cultures should be the most important factor in supporting foreign startups.