The podcast Ecosystem Support 360, a video/audio show focused on showcasing the efforts of startup and business ecosystems globally, invited Yokohama City to be a guest on its first episode. Masahiro Nishikawa and Nikolai Muth from the Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas joined podcast hosts Andy Chiang and Kevin Ninomiya to discuss Yokohama as a hub for innovation, international collaboration, and business growth.
During the conversation, podcast hosts Andy and Kevin asked Masahiro and Nikolai about Yokohama’s business landscape, including what kinds of industries see a particularly strong presence in Yokohama, as well as some examples of what makes Yokohama a great hub and soft landing pad for startups specifically. As explained during the episode, Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan by population, and has exceptional opportunities available for startups and businesses looking to expand into the Japanese and greater Asian markets, with many major domestic Japanese and international companies having chosen Yokohama for the locations of their Japanese HQ and R&D over other large cities like Tokyo due to Yokohama’s innovation and ecosystem strengths.
Why Yokohama Stands Out for Startups and Businesses
Yokohama’s advantages were summarized in the podcast as the “three I’s:” Ideal Location, Innovation Hub, and Internationally Active.
Ideal Location:
Yokohama’s location in the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area makes it a part of one of the largest business ecosystems in the world, and while it’s only 30 minutes from Tokyo itself or Haneda International Airport, it boasts many advantages including lower office costs and a higher ratio of engineers and researchers in the working population, making it a great place to hire talent.
Innovation Hub:
Yokohama has put hard work into developing its startup ecosystem and support network, and now has many different startup centers and innovation areas, with unique platforms and opportunities to connect with and collaborate with larger corporations. As recently as November 2024, Yokohama launched a new space called Tech Hub Yokohama that focuses on enriching the entrepreneurial and business community in the city through events, lab space, and workspace. Yokohama also has o pportunities for international innovators looking to expand into Japan through its POC support programs.
Internationally Active:
Yokohama’s port was historically one of the first locations in Japan to open to international trade, making it a testbed for new ideas, and its carried that openmindedness to the present day. Yokohama’s convention center is the most active for international conferences in all of Japan, featuring events that connect companies around the world together in a variety of industries. Yokohama is also one of the few Japanese cities with independent offices around the world that can help global companies connect with opportunities in the city.
Andy Chiang, one of the co-hosts of Ecosystem Support 360, is a podcast veteran, running another successful podcast called Foreign Founders, which focuses on supporting and sharing useful information with international entrepreneurs looking to establish their business in the USA or other international markets. Kevin Ninomiya, the other co-host, is an experienced venture builder and ecosystem developer, with extensive experience helping startups grow and succeed, as well as supporting academia and government.
For more details on Yokohama as a business destination, check out the full podcast episode, available on Youtube as well as on your favorite podcast app under “Ecosystem Support 360”.
Related Links:
Related posts:
Yokohama Mayor Yamanaka and Bangkok Governor Chadchart to Co-create the Path to Net Zero: City-to-City Cooperation Spreads to Business Partnerships
Promoting city-to-city cooperation with Bangkok, Thailand
Ukraine delegation visits Yokohama, Japan to discuss local infrastructure
This new Directory lists Startup Companies in Yokohama, Japan
