Disrupting Japan: Startups and Innovation in Japan

Disrupting Japan: Startups and Innovation in Japan


Why boring startups are actually the most interesting

March 02, 2020

Some of the most important startups are ones you never hear about. 

Some industries are so complex and arcane that its hard for people on the outside to understand the problems that startups are solving or the long-term gain of solving them. 

Freight forwarding is one of those industries. 

Today we talk with Taka Sato of Shippio, a startup trying to change the way freight forwarding works in Japan.  We talk about the challenges involved in trying to disrupt a low-tech, low-margin industry and also the potential rewards if Shippio succeeds. 

We also cover some of the bight spots in Japanese entrepreneurship and talk about how one large company, in particular, has had to change their hiring practices to respond to the fact that so many of their best young employees are leaving to found startups. 

It's a great discussion, and I think you will really enjoy it.