Disrupting Japan

Disrupting Japan


Latest Episodes

Software alone can’t make us work together
March 31, 2025

Today we are going to break down some startup stereotypes. - I sit down with Kunio Hara, co-founder and CEO of Beatrust and break apart the stereotypes of the uncreative Japanese enterprise and the yo

How AI employees are solving Japan’s labor shortage
March 03, 2025

While American AI startups are dominating the headlines, one Japanese company has begun rolling out "AI employees" to famously cautious Japanese enterprise customers. - Today we talk with Shota Nakag

Welcome to Disrupting Japan (Podcast Trailer)
February 17, 2025

Welcome to Disrupting Japan. Straight talk from Japans most innovative founders and VCs. Im Tim Romero, and thanks for joining me. There is so much happening in Japan right now. Startups and innovat

The catalyst (finally!) pulling industrial Japan into the digital age
February 03, 2025

Japanese business loves paper. - From fax machines, to business cards, to massive project binders. Paper processes are slow to die in Japan, especially in industrial facilities. - Today we talk with J

How CVCs and startups are decarbonizing energy
January 20, 2025

Most outside of the energy industry are (pleasantly) surprised to learn how aggressively startups and CVCs are pushing decarbonization forward. - Decarbonization is a fascinating and incredibly import

How AI startups can compete with the AI giants
January 06, 2025

Japan is lagging behind in AI, but that might not be the case for long. Today we sit down with Jad Tarifi, current founder of Integral AI and previously, founder of Googles first Generative AI team,

Why Japan is looking to France for startup inspiration
December 09, 2024

While the rest of the world is copying Silicon Valley, Tokyo is looking at Paris. - Today we sit down with Mark Bivens and Matt Romaine, the co-founders of Shizen Capital to talk about Japan's new sta

A game plan for working artists to beat AI in the marketplace
November 11, 2024

Today, we are going to talk about AI, but not in the way you expect. Today, Im going to give creatives a solid three-point plan to beat AI in the marketplace. Im going to explain how musicians, podc

Inside the government program to invest $1B into Japanese startups
October 14, 2024

The Japanese government is taking a very hands-on approach to funding startups. Yuka Hata, Senior Managing Director of the Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) explains the kinds of startups and funds t

Everything you ever wanted to know about Fintech in Japan
September 16, 2024

We live in a global financial system, but fintech innovation is surprisingly local. - Makoto Shibata, the head of FinoLab, has been leading financial innovation Japan for over 20 years, long before th