Michi Tohma - OHYASHIMA

Ruten Raises $2 Million to Develop BMI for Swallowing Disorders

Ruten, a Japanese-founded startup, has raised $2 million to develop an invasive BMI called Swallow Autopilot for people with dysphagia. The round was led by Tokyo-based Coral Capital via a SAFE instrument.

2026.03.18

Technology

MLIT Reports Peak Moving Season: Late March to Early April Expected to Be Extremely Busy

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has announced that moving reservations for the final week of March through the first week of April are at their highest congestion level. The seasonal crunch reflects Japan’s April-start fiscal and academic calendar, which drives a nationwide wave of corporate transfers and university enrollments each spring. Moving costs during the peak period average around ¥200,000 for families and ¥120,000 for individuals, with rates rising year over year amid wage growth and fuel price increases.

2026.03.16

Business

3DC Raises Total of $18M in Series A Round

Japanese graphene startup 3DC has closed the second tranche of its Series A round, bringing total fundraising to $18 million. The company is commercializing Graphene MesoSponge (GMS), a three-dimensional graphene material that combines sponge-like flexibility with high electrical conductivity, targeting lithium-ion and next-generation battery applications.

2026.03.13

Technology

Solafune Raises Over $32 Million in Series A to Build Planetary Intelligence OS

Solafune, a Tokyo-based startup building a Planetary Intelligence OS across GEOINT, SIGINT, and OSINT, has raised over $32 million in Series A funding. The company already counts Japan's Ministry of Defense among its clients and is expanding into African markets.

2026.03.10

Technology

MiRESSO Raises $27M in Series A with New Low-Temperature Beryllium Process

MiRESSO, a Japanese startup developing beryllium manufacturing and sales capabilities, has announced the completion of ...

2026.03.09

Technology

Gaianixx, Developer of Multi-functional Interlayer for Semiconductors, Raises $13 Million in Series C 1st Round

Japanese deep-tech startup Gaianixx has raised $13 million (¥2 billion) in its Series C 1st round. The University of Tokyo spinout develops a proprietary "Multi-functional Interlayer" that resolves lattice mismatch in semiconductors, improving yield and device performance.

2026.03.05

Technology

JAL to Introduce Domestic Fuel Surcharge from 2027

Japan Airlines (JAL) has unveiled plans to introduce a fuel surcharge on its domestic routes from April 2027, as part of a broader overhaul of its revenue structure. JAL's domestic EBIT for fiscal year 2025 stood at ¥15 billion — effectively zero without public subsidies. The airline has outlined a three-step reform plan, including collaboration with ANA and industry-wide initiatives, targeting domestic EBIT of ¥60 billion or more from fiscal year 2028.

2026.03.04

Business

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Signals Intent to Conduct a Literature Survey on Minami-Tori-shima, Ogasawara Village

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has formally requested a literature survey on Minami-Tori-shima in Ogasawara Village as a first step toward selecting a site for radioactive waste final disposal. This article explains the survey process, the global context, and why this remote island has emerged as a candidate.

2026.03.03

Policy & Regulation

A-wave Raises $3.5 Million in Series B to Develop Monitoring System for Chronic Heart Failure

A-wave, a Japanese startup developing a cardiac monitoring system for chronic heart failure patients, has raised $3.5 million in a Series B funding round.

2026.02.27

Technology

moveez Raises $1.3 Million in Seed Funding to Develop Autonomous Robotaxis

moveez, a Japanese startup developing fully autonomous robotaxis, has raised $1.3 million in a seed funding round to advance its Level 4 autonomous driving technology.

2026.02.26

Technology