As environmental and social challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, resource constraints, and security risks related to global conflicts become increasingly apparent, the world is shifting toward a circular economy. In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) published the Circular Economy Vision 2020 in 2020, followed by the growth-oriented resource autonomy economic strategy in March 2023. Furthermore, in December 2023, a public-private-academic partnership initiative for the circular economy was launched, and in July 2024, tthe Fifth Basic Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society was approved by the Cabinet as a national strategy aiming to position Japan as a leader in the circular economy. With these developments, Japan is expected to see an increase in circular economy startups and the emergence of new innovations in this field.
To support this transition, Harch Inc., which operates the circular economy media platform Circular Economy Hub (in Japanese), is collaborating with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as a partner organization for TOKYO SUTEAM, a startup support initiative involving diverse stakeholders. As part of this initiative, we launched CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO, a startup incubation program dedicated to the circular economy. Since April 2024, we have supported the first cohort (16 teams, 25 participants) over a five-month period, helping them develop their businesses, create new ventures, and secure funding.
On Thursday, September 19, we will hold an information session for individuals and companies interested in launching or expanding circular economy-related startups or businesses. This session will provide details about the second cohort of Circular Startup Tokyo, which will begin in November 2024.
The event will feature guest speakers from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Environment, a venture capital firm specializing in sustainability investments, and participants from the first cohort of Circular Startup Tokyo.Through a panel discussion featuring perspectives from government, venture capital, and entrepreneurs, we will explore the potential and expectations for startups driving the transition to a circular economy in Japan and beyond.
If you are interested in learning more about the program or considering applying, we encourage you to join us.
note:
- Attendance at the information session is not a requirement for applying to the program.
- Registered participants will receive a recording of the session after the event.
Special Guests & Panelists
Toshiko Chiba (director, climate change countermeasure division, Bureau of Environment, Tokyo Metropolitan Government)
Since 2001, Toshiko Chiba has been involved in environmental administration in Tokyo, particularly in climate change policy. She played a key role in designing and managing the Tokyo cap-and-trade program, the world’s first urban emissions trading system for large-scale buildings. After working in sustainable resource management from 2014 to 2017, she returned to climate policy in 2018 and has held her current position since April 2022.
Takanobu Iwasaki (deputy director, resource circulation promotion division, Bureau of Environment, Tokyo Metropolitan Government)
Since 1997, Takanobu Iwasaki has worked at the Tokyo Clean Authority, where hhe contributed to expanding waste collection operations by introducing weekly resource collection alongside regular combustible and non-combustible waste pickup. He has held positions at Nakano City Clean Office, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Tokyo Environmental Public Corporation, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee, and currently leads efforts in plastic resource circulation.
Hirokazu Kitahara (partner, Archetype Ventures / circular economy startup investor)
Hirokazu Kitahara has experience in regional revitalization and policy planning at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. After working in corporate strategy consulting at Boston Consulting Group, he joined Archetype Ventures, where he focuses on investing in circular economy startups, climate tech, and other sustainability-focused ventures. He is also a board member at Fileforce.
Satoshi Kishi (founder & CEO, Naoseru Inc.)
Originally from Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Satoshi Kishi worked at Sharp on smart home technology and energy management systems before launching an iPhone repair business and joining a startup as an engineer. He later founded Naoseru Inc., which operates collection points, buyback services, and marketplaces to repurpose discarded electronics. He participated in the first cohort of Circular Startup Tokyo.
Tomonobu Shigeta (founder & CEO, PHI Corporation)
While working in sales at Unilever, Tomonobu Shigeta launched UMILE, an internal SDGs platform, and successfully secured 10 public-sector project grants for regional resource circulation initiatives. In April 2024, after being selected for Circular Startup Tokyo, he started his own business focusing on regional circular economy solutions. He has been selected as a J-Startup WEST Supporter and is actively engaged in sustainability projects in Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture.
Yu Kato (founder & CEO, Harch Inc.) / moderator
Yu Kato founded Harch Inc. in 2015. He operates sustainability-focused digital media platforms, including IDEAS FOR GOOD (a global social innovation magazine), Circular Economy Hub (a circular economy media platform), and Circular Yokohama (a local circular economy platform in Yokohama). He also works with businesses, governments, and educational institutions to promote sustainability and the circular economy. In April 2023, he obtained B Corp certification. Hegraduated from the University of Tokyo and completed the Sustainable Marketing, Media & Creative Leadership program at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Who should attend?
This session is recommended for:
- Individuals considering launching a startup in the circular economy sector, including food waste, plastics, construction, manufacturing, fashion, and digital solutions
- University and graduate students interested in commercializing research related to AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies
- Corporate intrapreneurs at large companies exploring new business opportunities in the circular economy
- SME owners looking to establish new businesses in the circular economy field
- Startup founders seeking funding and aiming to scale their circular economy business
- Representatives from corporations, financial institutions, investors, universities, and local governments interested in collaborating with CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO
How to apply
Please register via Peatix (in Japanese).
Details
Event Time / Date: 6:30 pm- / September 19, 2024
Information session for the second cohort of CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO (in Japanese)