Best Unicorn startups in Japan 2025

In the past 10 years, Japan’s startup scene has grown steadily. It’s attracting top talent to help high-growth startups expand. In the past, a big problem was that the job market wasn’t flexible, and the best workers were often stuck in lifelong jobs at big companies.

However, a notable shift is underway, thanks to increased investment and a change of mindset that encourages entrepreneurship. It is primarily driven by a government keen on fostering innovation.

Japan has a solid network of support groups in different parts of the country, showing its dedication to growing startups. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) stands out by running programs like the Startup City Acceleration Program which helps startups expand worldwide.

Japan’s government, like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and cities like Fukuoka and Sapporo, are working hard to boost their startup scenes. Programs like Shibuya Startup Support also help out. The Startup Visa in places like Fukuoka City and Kobe City shows Japan’s effort to bring in and keep talented entrepreneurs.

Looking ahead, Japan’s startup ecosystems seem ready to gain more global attention. Areas like fintech and health tech look especially promising.

Top Unicorn Startups in Japan

Here are some of the unicorns of Japan, leading the charge in transforming the startup landscape with their innovative ideas and execution.

Spiber

Spiber Inc. started on September 26, 2007, and was founded by Hideya Mizutani, Junichi Sugahara, and Kazuhide Sekiyama. It’s based in Tsuruoka, Japan, and works on synthetic textiles. As a private company, Spiber focuses on creating new biomaterials using synthetic biology and material science. Its main product, Brewed Protein, is a protein-based material made through microbial fermentation with agricultural raw materials. This material can be turned into fibers, films, resins, and other forms. It’s designed to support animal-free and plastic-free solutions in industries like clothing and cars. Spiber is considered one of Japan’s top unicorn startups.

Playco

Playco was founded in 2020 by Michael Carter, Justin Waldron, Takeshi Otsuka and Teddy Cross. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It specializes in instant-play gaming and developing titles that enable billions of players to enjoy together. It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

Playco pioneers the concept of instant-play gaming with a wide-reaching network of partners spanning global tech and social media giants to innovative startups. The company collaborates closely with platforms like Facebook, SNAP, LINE, Viber, and others. Playco strives to create top-tier games that bring together billions of players worldwide

Clean Planet

Clean Planet, founded in 2012 by Hideki Yoshino in Tokyo, Japan, develops and distributes clean energy technologies. The company aims to enhance global well-being and is among Japan’s leading unicorn startups.

Clean Planet develops quantum hydrogen energy, a breakthrough technology that generates heat through hydrogen quantum diffusion. This sustainable alternative to thermal and nuclear power promises a cleaner, more efficient energy future.

JOLED

Founded on January 5, 2015, by its founders Ishibashi Tadashi, Joled is based in Tokyo, Japan. The company serves as a manufacturer of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display lights tailored for premium monitors, medical monitors, and automotive applications. It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

Joled specializes in printing technology utilized in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) production, as well as transparent amorphous oxide semiconductors and flexible display technology. These advancements cater to a diverse range of sectors including medical, filmmaking, gaming, electronic devices, and signage.

Preferred Networks

Established in 2014 by Toru Nishikawa , it is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Preferred Networks specializes in applying advanced technologies like deep learning and robotics to various sectors such as transportation, manufacturing, life sciences, and entertainment. Their services include developing software frameworks, algorithms, and hardware to support research and development across these fields. It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

By leveraging deep intelligence technologies, they integrate data from both physical and digital sources using machine learning and deep learning, enabling applications like autonomous driving, robotics, and medical diagnosis to automate business operations.

SmartHR

SmartHR, Inc. was established on January 23, 2013 by Kensuke Naito and Shoji Miyata. Its headquarters is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. SmartHR, Inc. is a developer of cloud-based human resources software aimed at automating social insurance and employment insurance procedures.

Their software allows users to complete online forms and generate digital versions of pension, employment insurance, and other relevant documents for easy submission to the appropriate offices with a simple click, enabling businesses to efficiently manage and streamline their human resources processes. It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

OPN 

Established in 2013 by Jun Hasegawa and headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, Opn is a leading provider of online payment and digital transformation solutions used globally by merchants and businesses. Operating across Japan, Southeast Asia, and the U.S., Opn is a prominent payments provider in the Asia-Pacific region and ranks among the top 25 in the U.S. market. It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

With a commitment to facilitating universal access to the digital economy, Opn fosters connections between individuals, businesses, and society through innovative methods, ensuring an open and expanding economic ecosystem. 

SmartNews

SmartNews was founded on June 15, 2022 by Kaisei Hamamoto and Ken Suzuki, with headquarters situated in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. It operates as a personalized news discovery platform, utilizing machine learning to aid users in discovering the most relevant and compelling stories of the moment.

Through its algorithm, SmartNews evaluates millions of articles, user behaviors, and social interactions to curate stories on a global scale. Its mobile application is accessible on both Android and iOS platforms. SmartNews focuses on delivering timely and significant news content to its users. It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

Go Japan

Established in 2016 by Mr. Bao Quoc Nguyen, a Vietnamese entrepreneur, Go Japan Co. is headquartered in Tokyo. The company specializes in providing portable Wi-Fi and SIM cards tailored for long-term usage with monthly payment plans. It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

As Japan’s premier telecommunications service provider for foreigners, Go Japan partners with major telecommunications networks, including Softbank, Au KDDI, and Docomo, to offer a comprehensive range of services covering voice, mobile, internet access, and international travel devices. Committed to maintaining top-notch quality standards, Go Japan is renowned for its innovative solutions and stands out as a leader in the market.

Rakuten Securities

Established in 1999 by Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Securities is an investment bank headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The firm provides a range of services including trading channels, funding services, market information delivery, real-time deposit service, convenient fund transfers, foreign currency settlement, point services, and email services. Rakuten Securities, Inc. is an Internet securities firm within the Rakuten group, known for operating one of Japan’s largest Internet shopping malls.It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

TBM Japan

Established in 2011 by Nobuyoshi Yamasaki, TBM is situated in Tokyo, Japan, and specializes in the production of bio-composite materials. This manufacturing process involves blending limestone, thermoplastic resin, and various additives to create a molten composite, which is subsequently shaped into pellets or sheets using extrusion or molding methods.

These materials serve as eco-friendly alternatives to paper and plastic products, including business cards, tags, POP displays, posters, booklets, banners, stickers, labels, bags, containers, backlit posters, folders, durable materials, and stationery items. It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

Kakao Japan

Established in 2011 by Kim Beom-su, Kakao Japan is based in Tokyo, Japan. The company specializes in developing messaging and media applications aimed at enhancing customers’ daily experiences, bringing joy, and leaving a lasting impression.

Offering a range of internet and mobile applications, including those for communication and media content such as manga and comics, Kakao Japan enables users to effortlessly exchange messages anytime, anywhere, domestically and internationally, while also providing access to an extensive library of media content. It is one of the top best unicorn startups in Japan.

Conclusion

Japan’s startup scene is growing fast, with unicorns leading in AI fintech, healthcare, and sustainability. The Companies like Preferred Networks and SmartNews TBM are advancing tech and eco-friendly solutions. Robotics, quantum computing, and hydrogen energy are also gaining interest from global investors. Government support and intense research, Japan is becoming a key startup hub. 2025 will be a big year as these unicorns expand and make a global impact.

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