Japan Should Go Big or Go Home on Startups

Japan, after three decades of economic stagnation, is poised for a transformative revival through tech innovation and entrepreneurship. A tight labor market is empowering young workers to break from traditional norms, while global geopolitical shifts favor Japan's stability over China's uncertainties. Despite a slow start in creating startups and unicorns, the government aims ambitiously to foster growth. Challenges include Japan's small market size and early IPO pressures. To succeed, Japan must boldly support R&D for SMEs, nurture globally competitive startups, and prioritize innovation over imitation. This strategic shift aims to reclaim Japan's global tech leadership, echoing past successes like Sony.