In brief: Line and Mercari form Japan payments pact
nMessaging platform Line and online marketplace Mercari are joining forces on mobile payments as Japan’s internet companies race to dominate...
Health News Blog
In brief: JD, Rakuten partner for unmanned delivery service in Japan
JD and Rakuten have signed an agreement that will see JD’s drones and autonomous delivery robots utilized in Rakuten’s unmanned...
In brief: Japan’s SmartNews becomes a unicorn following $28m raise
nJapanese news discovery app SmartNews announced a new investment valuing the business at US$1.1 billion, Bloomberg reported.nJapan Post Capital, a...
In brief: Japanese VC firm to launch $27m fund for Indian startups
nTokyo-based venture capital specialist Incubate Fund will launch Incubate Fund India with the aim to invest US$27 million in Indian startups...
In brief: Japanese tech billionaire to be SpaceX’s first space tourist
n n Elon Musk’s company SpaceX has unveiled the first private passenger it plans to fly around the Moon. n...
In brief: Japanese spider-silk maker raises $44m from Cool Japan Fund, others
Japanese biotech startup Spiber netted US$44.1 million (5 billion yen) to facilitate the mass production of synthetic spider silk protein...
In brief: Japanese space robot maker Gitai gets $4.1m from Spiral Ventures, others
nJapanese robotics startup Gitai has raised about US$4.1 million from Spiral Ventures Japan, DBJ Capital, J-Power, and 500 Startups Japan...
In brief: Japan regulators to probe ecommerce loyalty programs
nThe Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) is set to probe into Amazon Japan, Rakuten, and Yahoo Japan, which are suspected...
In brief: Japan lacks investment opportunities, says Masayoshi Son
nSoftBank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son said that there is a lack of investment opportunities inside Japan as the country...
In brief: Japan deeptech startup gets $2.2m from Sony’s VC arm, others
Aroma Bit, a Tokyo-based deeptech startup, announced that it has secured 250 million yen (US$2.2 million) in a series A funding...