Technology

Trash Technologies, an AI-powered metals recycler turning Japan's urban mine into high-purity gold, silver and rare metals, has raised $1m to expand its Kawagoe plant and roll out digital product passports.

TriOrb, the Kyushu-based startup behind a sphere-driven AMR platform, raised $1.9M in a Series B second close backed by JBIC, Toyota Tsusho and SMBC, following its KEYENCE PLC integration.

cosmobloom, born from Nihon University's Miyazaki Laboratory, raises $2 million to advance its NEDA-powered gossamer structures — including the LEAF de-orbit device now heading to space.

Tokyo-based JIJ raises $5m led by Global Brain, adding gate-based quantum computing to its optimisation platform as it deepens ties with KOBELCO and JR Central.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Okinawa's AlgaleX has raised $2m in Series A funding for its AI-controlled system that grows DHA-rich algae on awamori distillery waste.