The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin Vol. 8 | Uri-te Yoshi
Reading the full series? Browse all volumes here.
Before diving in — Vol. 2 sets out the author’s framing and ...
Michi Tohma
The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin 
Uncategorized Magic Shields, Developer of Fall-Injury Prevention Mats, Raises $8M in Series B1 and B2 Rounds
Magic Shields, a Hamamatsu-based startup, raised $8M in Series B1 and B2 rounds to expand Coroyawa—a floor mat that stays firm while walking but absorbs impact during falls, reducing fracture risk for elderly users.
The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin Vol. 7 | Sanpo Yoshi Ⅲ
The Ohmi Shonin operated as outsiders in distant regions — and that shaped everything. Vol. 7 explores the merchant wisdom behind Sanpo Yoshi, and why humility may be its hidden foundation.
Business Brave group Raises Over $50M in Series E Round
Brave group, a Tokyo-based VTuber company, has closed a Series E round totaling over ¥8 billion (approx. $50M), with 16 equity investors and three banks participating.
Business ECOMMIT Closes $9 Million Series B Round to Scale Circular Economy Infrastructure
ECOMMIT, a Japanese startup building resource circulation infrastructure, has closed a $9 million Series B round. The Kagoshima-based company behind PASSTO collection boxes reuses or recycles 98% of collected apparel and aims to triple its annual collection volume within three years.
The Jodo Ethic and the Spirit of the Ohmi Shonin Vol. 6 | Sanpo Yoshi II
The Ohmi Shonin concept of Sanpo Yoshi is often linked to CSR — but the author argues it is closer to Stakeholder Capitalism. What does that mean for how we think about corporate obligations, and who a company truly belongs to?
Culture & Society What Is Shumei? How Some of Japan’s Oldest Companies Pass Down a Leader’s Name
Shumei—the Japanese practice of inheriting a predecessor's name—is familiar from kabuki and traditional crafts. But some of Japan's oldest companies follow the same custom. This article examines four cases: Matsui Construction, Mizkan, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, and Ninben.
Technology Almure, a Confidential Computing Startup, Raises $1.25M in Seed Round
Almure, a Tokyo-based startup founded in January 2026, has raised $1.25M in seed funding to develop confidential computing infrastructure for AI agents — aiming to secure sensitive enterprise data even while it is being processed.
Policy & Regulation MLIT to Begin Enforcing New Rules on Mobile Battery Handling Aboard Aircraft
Japan's MLIT will begin enforcing new cabin rules for mobile batteries on April 24. The limit drops to two batteries per passenger, and in-flight charging is now banned.
Business Infroneer HD, Known for Construction and Machinery, Acquires Waterworks Operator Swing
Infroneer Holdings, the Japan-based infrastructure conglomerate behind Maeda Corporation, has agreed to acquire waterworks operator Swing Corporation for over 90 billion yen. The deal fills a critical gap in Infroneer's push to become a one-stop infrastructure services provider — and may signal its ambitions to close the revenue gap with Japan's elite "super generals."