KANAGAWA BUSINESS MEETUP

​Gateway to Japan: How U.S. Companies Can Scale into Asia via Kanagawa & Yokohama

​Thinking about expanding into Asia but looking for a fast, founder-friendly entry point?

​Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture and the city of Yokohama are quietly emerging as one of the most powerful launchpads for U.S. companies entering the Asian market.

​Join fellow founders, investors, and global operators to discover how Japan—supported by JETRO’s hands-on soft-landing services, government incentives, and strong local partnerships—can help you scale faster, smarter, and with less friction. Hear directly from venture capitalists and operators who have guided companies through international expansion, gain practical insights on what truly works when entering Japan, and learn from a real-world case study of a U.S. company that successfully expanded into Kanagawa.

​We’ll close with a relaxed networking lunch featuring Kanagawa sake and Sushi of Gari—because serious expansion conversations deserve great food.

​What You’ll Learn

• ​Why Japan is one of the safest and most strategic entry points into Asia right now—for startups and scaleups

• ​How Kanagawa & Yokohama actively support foreign companies with incentives, pilot programs, and business introductions

• ​What VCs look for in globally scalable startups—and how Japan fits into that growth roadmap

• ​Practical lessons from a U.S. founder who has successfully expanded and scaled in Japan
  
  Program Agenda

​1. Japan’s Startup Ecosystem: Government Support & Opportunities

​JETRO New York

​2. Why Kanagawa? Business Opportunities & Founder-Friendly Incentives

​JETRO New York Kanagawa Division

​3. Why Yokohama? Business Opportunities & Special Incentives

​Jadon Ricci, Project Manager, Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas

​4. Strategic Insights on Overseas Expansion — An Investor’s Perspective

​J.P. Li, Co-Chairman, Meridian Universal Health Group Inc.

​Member, Wharton Alumni Angels

​5. Japan Expansion from a VC Who’s Done It Repeatedly

​Murat Aktihanoglu, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Remarkable Ventures ERA

​6. Case Study: How a U.S. Startup Successfully Expanded into Kanagawa

​Keiki Sugimoto, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer, RICOH Biosciences, Inc.

​7. Networking Lunch

​Kanagawa Sake & Sushi by Sushi of Gari