Michi Tohma - OHYASHIMA

Robotruck, a developer of fully autonomous driving systems for trucks, raises $32m in the first close of its Series A round

Robotruck, a Japanese developer of fully autonomous truck systems, has raised $32m in the first close of its Series A round, backed by JIC Venture Growth Investments.

2026.08.03

Technology

Vol. 20 | The Shonin’s Wife and Women’s Education in Ohmi

Ohmi Shonin wives managed finances, staff and succession at the honke. This volume traces Sato Tsukamoto, who founded a school in Gokasho to educate merchants' wives.

2026.07.31

SeriesThe Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin

Sinumy, developer of fully hands-free authentication technology, raises $3m in pre-Series A round

Japan's Sinumy has raised $3m to bring fully hands-free authentication—usable without ever taking out a phone—to transport gates and payments, with accessibility as a core use case.

2026.07.30

Technology

Major earthquake strikes Kumamoto: the impact on TSMC and other companies

A magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto on 28 July, killing at least 12. TSMC's plant escaped damage, while Nippon Paper's Yatsushiro mill and Aeon Mall Kumamoto suffered casualties.

2026.07.29

Regional Economy

Vol. 19 | Joint-stock trading

How the Ohmi Shonin pooled capital: joint-stock trading, the Nakai family's Sendai shop, unlimited liability, and why brewing demanded heavy investment.

2026.07.24

SeriesThe Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin

T2, a developer of autonomous driving technology for trucks, raises $31m in the first close of its Series B round

T2, a Japanese autonomous trucking startup, has raised $31m in the first close of its Series B round from logistics-sector investors, as it advances level 4 self-driving technology for freight transport.

2026.07.22

Technology

Vol. 18 | Demise and edamise Part 3

How the Ohmi Shonin turned homecoming into promotion. Vol. 18 examines the zaisho-nobori system, the career ladder inside demise and edamise, and the arbitrage across regions that the branch network made possible.

2026.07.21

SeriesThe Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin

Space-debris startup Star Signal Solutions raises $3m seed round

JAXA startup Star Signal Solutions raises ¥450m ($3m) seed round led by JAFCO, as it scales debris-tracking and satellite collision-avoidance navigation services.

2026.07.17

Technology

Fusion power company Starlight Engine raises $37m

Fusion power start-up Starlight Engine has raised $37m in its first external funding round, backing the FAST demonstration project it leads toward 2030s power generation.

2026.07.16

Technology

Vol. 17 | Demise and edamise Part 2

Part two on demise and edamise: the ranks within a merchant house, why the Ohmi Shonin staffed them only with men from Ohmi, and the roots of Takashimaya.

2026.07.15

SeriesThe Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin