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Top 15 Series A Investors in Japan (2025): A Founder’s Field Guide

Deqian Jia
Deqian Jia
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Japan InvestorsSeries A VCsStartup FundingJapanese VCsInvestment

If you're raising a Series A in Japan in 2025, the good news is there are credible, active firms with real follow-on power and deep local networks. This guide does three things for you:

  1. shows how to shortlist fast,

  2. gives concise, source-backed profiles of the 15 most reputable, active Japan-based Series A investors, and

  3. closes with five pitch tips tuned to the local market.

You're building something difficult. This is meant to make the investor piece easier—and sharper.

1) How to find the right Japan Series A investors (quick system)

Start with fit on stage & fund freshness. Prioritize firms that explicitly invest at Seed–A/A–B and have recent fund closes or visible 2024–2025 deal activity—that's your signal they can lead and support follow-ons. Ecosystem data confirms larger and newer Japan vehicles have emerged over the last few years (e.g., new fund vintages at leading Japan VCs). See GLOBIS Corporation for recent fund activity.

Screen for sector literacy. Japan's Series A sweet spots: software/SaaS, deep tech & university spin-outs, fintech/insurtech, industrial & climate tech, healthcare/medtech. Pick firms who publish these themes and show matching portfolio. Globis Capital Partners is a strong example.

Check signaling & follow-on capacity. AUM scale, multi-fund platforms, or dedicated follow-on/growth pools help you avoid "stranded" A rounds. Look for firms publicly stating AUM/fund sizes or growth vehicles. Global Brain manages $2.3B+ AUM across multiple vehicles.

Map independent VC vs. CVC. Independent VCs often lead and set terms; CVCs (corporate venture capital) can open distribution and enterprise pilots. Blend them when it helps GTM. ZVC (LY Corporation's CVC) is a prime example.

Triangulate activity. Don't rely on static lists—cross-check official fund pages and recent news for 2024–2025 signals (fund closes, new investments, portfolio updates).

For more on organizing your fundraising materials, see our guide on what makes a data room investor-ready.

Want a data room that actually helps you raise?

A well-organized, secure data room is the easiest way to look serious—and to help Japanese investors move faster.

Peony gives you everything you need to look professional and move fast:

  • Branded investor rooms create a polished first impression with custom branding that reflects your startup's identity

  • Granular access controls let you share different materials with different investors—no accidental exposure of sensitive data

  • Dynamic watermarking personalizes every view with investor name and timestamp to deter leaks

  • Per-page analytics show you exactly what each investor read and for how long—know where to focus your follow-ups

  • Integrated e-signature lets you close NDAs and term sheets within the same platform, with full audit trails

  • Update files after send means you can revise pitch decks and financials without breaking links or confusing investors

Many Japanese startups have used Peony to streamline their fundraising process. When investors can see your story clearly, move through materials quickly, and sign documents without friction, you look organized—because you are.

Start using Peony for your Japan Series A round today.

2) The 15 most reputable, active Series A investors headquartered in Japan (2025)

1) Global Brain (Tokyo)

Why they matter: One of Japan's most active multi-fund platforms with hands-on support and $2.3B+ AUM; runs multiple flagship and follow-on/growth funds. A frequent lead or co-lead at A. Visit Global Brain.

Focus: Broad tech (SaaS, enterprise, marketplaces, frontier).

Signal: Multiple large vehicles (GB VII/VIII/IX and follow-on funds) enable sustained support. See Global Brain's flagship funds.

2) GLOBIS Capital Partners (Tokyo)

Why they matter: Long-standing top-tier Japan VC with Fund VII at ¥72.7B and >$1.3B cumulative AUM; consistent lead at A and B. See GLOBIS Capital Partners.

Focus: Software, digital platforms, enterprise.

Signal: Expanded global support footprint (SF office) to help portfolio internationalize.

3) JAFCO Group (Tokyo)

Why they matter: One of Japan's oldest and most recognized venture platforms; invests seed through early growth with the capacity to lead A. View JAFCO.

Focus: Broad technology and healthcare; Japan focus with select Asia.

Signal: Dedicated venture fund series and active pipeline. See their fund management.

4) SBI Investment (Tokyo)

Why they matter: Prolific, multi-strategy venture GP under SBI Holdings; completed a ¥100B "Digital Space Fund" and continues to form new vehicles, indicating dry powder for new As. Check SBI Group.

Focus: Fintech, AI/data, digital platforms (domestic and cross-border).

Signal: Cumulative fund commitments exceed ¥800B across flagship programs.

5) UTEC – University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (Tokyo)

Why they matter: Japan's leading science & deep-tech specialist with UTEC6 at ~$326M and $1B+ AUM—one of Asia's largest science VCs. A frequent Series A lead for university spin-outs. Explore UTEC.

Focus: Life sciences, deep tech, robotics, climate, hard tech.

Signal: New 2025 fund sized for bigger A checks and global scaling. See Global Venturing coverage.

6) DNX Ventures (Tokyo & San Mateo)

Why they matter: Cross-border B2B specialist explicitly investing Seed & Series A across Japan/US; strong enterprise GTM help. Visit DNX Ventures.

Focus: SaaS/Cloud, cybersecurity, data, fintech, industrial tech.

Signal: Japan-dedicated fund arm with clear A mandate.

7) WiL – World Innovation Lab (Tokyo & Palo Alto)

Why they matter: Bridges startups and large Japanese corporates; often participates Series A through growth and helps with Japan market entry and enterprise pilots. See WiL.

Focus: Growth-minded software and platforms; corporate collaboration.

Signal: Dual-office model and LP network geared to distribution in Japan.

8) Incubate Fund (Tokyo)

Why they matter: One of Japan's largest early-stage franchises; seed to Series A with a heavy volume of new company formation and selective A leads. Check out Incubate Fund.

Focus: Broad tech; strong founder services and company-building DNA.

Signal: Public "new & additional investments" show 2025 Series A deals in Japan. View their latest investments.

9) ITOCHU Technology Ventures (ITV) (Tokyo)

Why they matter: Independent VC backed by ITOCHU's industrial network; launched "Technology Ventures VI" at ¥16.1B in Mar 2025, signaling fresh capital for early-stage/Series A. Read about ITV.

Focus: B2B/B2C internet and enterprise IT. See TechV.

Signal: Scale plus corporate access for pilots/partnerships.

10) Mitsubishi UFJ Capital – MUCAP (Tokyo)

Why they matter: MUFG's long-standing VC arm with nationwide sourcing; active across IT, healthcare, and industrial; participates at A and supports IPO pathways. Visit MUCAP.

Focus: Broad tech and life sciences; Japan first with global bridges via MUFG.

Signal: Track record across many funds and IPO outcomes. See their funds.

11) DG Daiwa Ventures (Tokyo)

Why they matter: Joint venture of Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities; invests A and beyond in next-gen tech and has kept up 2025 deal activity; manages the DG Lab Fund family. View DG Daiwa Ventures.

Focus: Fintech, AI/data, security, bio/health. Check Digital Garage.

Signal: Newer fund activity covered in 2025 fund-raising news. See Global Venturing.

12) Z Venture Capital – ZVC (Tokyo)

Why they matter: CVC of LY Corporation (Yahoo Japan/LINE); deep consumer & data DNA with Tokyo HQ and regional offices; active across Japan/Korea/US/SEA and visible in A-stage software. Learn about ZVC.

Focus: Consumer, B2B data/AI, payments, media, platform plays.

Signal: Structured to bring LY Corp assets and audience to startups. See ZVC's platform.

13) Coral Capital (Tokyo)

Why they matter: Prominent independent Japan VC; Coral IV closed at ¥25B (May 2024)—a meaningful step up that enables leading A rounds; strong brand with founders. Read about Coral IV.

Focus: Wide range—from SaaS and fintech to frontier and climate.

Signal: Public check-writing range spans early to A, with co-investors globalizing rounds. (Fund IV scale indicates room for A leadership.)

14) ANRI (Tokyo)

Why they matter: Influential early-stage firm with multiple funds (including theme funds like ANRI-GREEN), frequent partner to A-stage founding teams as they graduate from seed. Visit ANRI.

Focus: Internet/software and deep-tech bets via specialized vehicles.

Signal: Ongoing 2025 investment cadence across early and A. (Portfolio/news channels reflect active deployment.)

15) Beyond Next Ventures – BNV (Tokyo)

Why they matter: Deep-tech & healthcare specialist; Fund III closed at ¥25.7B (2024) and continued Series A investing in 2025 (e.g., FELIQS). Strong at academia-to-market transitions. Read about Fund III.

Focus: Life sciences, medtech, hard tech, climate.

Signal: Ecosystem partnerships (e.g., CRO alliances) to speed clinical/regulatory work. See their news.

3) Five quick tips for pitching Japanese Series A investors

  1. Lead with proof. Open with 3 metrics that make the A obvious: retention/NRR, payback or sales cycle, and pipeline coverage. Japanese partners are rigorous and appreciate disciplined dashboards. (If you're deep-tech: milestones + regulatory/clinical path.)

  2. Do nemawashi well. Nemawashi is the quiet pre-alignment before a formal decision. Share a tight data room, brief one-to-one, and anticipate objections early so the IC feels smooth later. Keep your follow-ups factual and respectful of process.

  3. Show a Japan-plus plan. Many firms can help you scale domestically and regionally. Name your next markets (Korea/SEA/EU), localization plan, and the distribution partners you'll target—especially if you're pitching CVCs that can unlock channels.

  4. Be precise about the use of proceeds. Translate the round into time-boxed milestones: "18 months → 3x ARR, enterprise grade security, EU launch, two vertical playbooks." It signals readiness for their follow-on committees.

  5. Make it easy to say yes. A clean, bilingual deck (EN/JP captions are fine), clear cap table, and an indexable data room with one live link, read-only previews, and version history speeds diligence and keeps momentum.

Sources & further reading

For more resources on fundraising and working with Japanese investors, check out these guides: