# Top 50 Artificial intelligence Angel Investors in Japan in June 2026

## Yutaka Matsuo
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, SaaS, Robotics

1997 Graduated from Tokyo University, Department of Electronic and Information Engineering. In 2002, he completed the doctoral program at the same graduate school. Ph.D. (Engineering) He was a researcher at the Institute of Industrial Science and Technology since the same year. After working as a visiting researcher at Stanford University in August2005, Associate Professor of Technology Management Strategy, Institute of Research, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo in 2007. Co-Representative, Associate Professor, Global Consumption Intelligence Donation Course, Department of Technology Management Strategy, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University. Professor from 2019, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Engineering, Department of Technology Management Strategy. He specializes in artificial intelligence, web mining, big data analytics. The Society of Artificial Intelligence received the Paper Award (2002), the 20th Anniversary Project Award (2006), the Field Innovation Award (2011), and the Merit Award (2013). At the Society of Artificial Intelligence, he has been a student editorial committee and an editorial committee, and vice chair/director since 2010. Chairman of Ethics from 2014 to 2018. Chairman of Japan Deep Learning Association since 2017.

## Hidetoshi Takano
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Internet, Information Technology, Content

Joined Intelligence in 1999. Established Key Players Inc. in 2005. Consultation with more than 3,000 managers and career counseling for more than 10,000 individuals. In addition, we have invested in more than 55 outside directors, advisors and angels in Silicon Valley and Bangladesh in Japan. Over 100 lectures on careers, entrepreneurship andstartups.

## Hirofumi Miki
- Type: Angel
- Location: Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Content, Internet, Software

After JTB Co., Ltd. and CYBIRD Co., Ltd. as an initial member of Glee Co., Ltd. is responsible for business development. Currently, he is mainly engaged in venture support in the Internet area, investing in venture and venture capital, and served as management advisor for dozens of companies. Hands-on business development, growth strategydevelopment, financing advice, HR organization design support, partner referral and Recruit Support. He is also engaged in business support for ventures in the healthcare and university venture fields. He served as Digital Health Meetup Advisor, NEDOTCP Mentor and Future 2016 Mentor.

## Masao Ito
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Content, Social Media, Information Technology

Masao Ito is a Founder & CEO at User Local.

## Kotaro Chiba
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Drones, Travel

Kotaro Chiba is the founder of ChibaDojo Fund. Kotaro Chiba attended Keio University.

## Nobuhiro Ariyasu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Finance, Content, Internet

Nobuhiro Ariyasu is the CEO at Coach United.

## Kazuomi Kaneto
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series B
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Music, Energy

Kazuomi Kaneto is the Founder & CEO of Dream Project Incubators. He previously worked at Pacifico Energy as a Founder, President & CEO. Kazuomi Kaneto attended Tsinghua University.

## Mamoru Taniya
- Type: Angel
- Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Apps, Content, FinTech

After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, he joined Solomon Brothers, where he became the youngest managing director in Asia, where he was in charge of Asian investment. After that, he created one of the largest independent Asuka assets. He also launched Japan's first independent online life insurance company,LifeNet Life Insurance, and inspired Japan's first International.

## Kazuhiro Ishikura
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Beauty, Content, Fashion

Kazuhiro Ishikura served as the head of the Akatsuki Business Management Department in 2013 and as a corporate auditor of Akatsuki in 2014, contributing to the company's listing on the TSE Mothers and TSE 1st sections. Appointed 3minute CFO in 2015, engaged in business start-up and organizational design, and succeeded in large-scale M & Adeal with Glee. After leaving the company, he became a WARC director in November 2018. Certified public accountant.

## Ayataro Nakagawa
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Internet, Software, Content

2011 At university, participated in the founding period as a director of Atcole Co., Ltd., and started the web service experience.2012 Founded Peroli Co., Ltd.,
which operates a curation platform for women "MERY" .2014 Founded Peroli
Co., Ltd. Sold to DeNA
2015 Jointly established Tokyo Founders Fund as an angel investor and startedinvesting in startups in Japan and overseas
2019 Appointed outside director of FIREBUG Co., Ltd.

## Shigeru Urushibara
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Series A, Seed, Angel
- Focus: Task Management, Artificial Intelligence, Video

Shigeru Urushibara - President & CEO @ UL Systems

## Kiyoshi Nishikawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed
- Focus: News, Social Media, Big Data

After working at KDD Corporation （Currently known as KDDI Corporation）, Kiyoshi Nishikawa next went to work at Arthur D. Little Inc. in the United States, where he became inspired to start his own company. After returning to Japan, he established a Japanese corporation of the world’s largest Internet company, America On Line, LLC. Later andbased on this experience and the relationships he developed, he founded the first Internet business incubator, NETAGE, Inc. After serving as the President and CEO of NETAGE Group, he later became and still serves as the Chairman of ngi group, inc. Kiyoshi was one of the main entrepreneurs responsible for proposing and realization of “Shibuya Bit Valley Concept” and is well known for his various speeches and writings. He is a graduate of the Department of Education at Tokyo University.

## Matsuo Koichiro
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Robotics, Software, Information Technology

Matsuo Koichiro - Director @ Kokopelli

## Takaya Shinozuka
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Local, Sports

Takaya Shinozuka is the President, CEO, and Founder at Reiwa Travel.

## Shuichi Takenaga
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Marketing, Financial Services, Management Consulting

Takenaga Shuuichi is an individual investor.

## Tomohito Ebine
- Type: Angel
- Location: Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Consulting, SaaS, Home Services

Tomohito Ebine is non-executive Director at Owls Co., Ltd.

## Koki Yabu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Content, Finance, Data Mining

Koki Yabu is Founder, President & CEO at Mobcast inc.

## Taro Fukuyama
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Software, Robotics

Taro Fukuyama is Co-Founder and CEO of Fond.

## Shinji Kimura
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series B
- Focus: FinTech, Financial Services, Software

Shinji Kimura - Chairman/Founder @ AnyPay

## Yoshikazu Azuma
- Type: Angel
- Location: Minato, Chiba, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Series A
- Focus: Retail, Security, Marketing

Yoshikazu Azuma - Representative Director and CEO @ TWO

## Toru Shimada
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Internet, Task Management, Content

Toru Shimada is a Senior Executive Officer and Director of Rakuten. Mr. Shimada is a Director of Rakuten Baseball, Inc., and Head of Asia Regional Headquarters Office of the Company.Mr. Shimada joined Rakuten in 2004. Prior to joining Rakuten, Mr. Shimada was founder and Director of INTELLIGENCE, LTD from 1989 to 2004. Prior to INTELLIGENCE, LTD.Mr. Shimada worked at RECRUIT CO., LTD. from 1987 to 1989.

## Masanori Sugiyama
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Software, Web Design

He graduated from Kansai University in 1988. He was enrolled in Ljoma while he was in college. 2002 Vice President of Practice (now index lights). In 2004, he became president of zappallas. Listed on the TSE Mothers in the second year of his appointment, and in 2010 he was listed in part of the TSE. In 2011 he became the CEO of enish. Listed on apart of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Thereafter, he served as outside directors such as Nikkatsu and JibannetHD.

## Hironao Kunimitsu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Content, Virtual Reality, Gaming

Hironao Kunimitsu was born in Hyogo, Japan. After graduating from Okayama High School, he spent several years traveling around the world. He visited over 30 countries including the US, China, India, Canada, and others in Central and South America.In 1996 he entered Fudan University in China, and then later went on to study at Santa MonicaCollege in the US. In 2004 he entered Atmovie Inc. where he produced movies and televised dramas, and was appointed company director in the same year. In 2007 he founded gumi Inc., and it started listing on first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December, 2014.

## Ken Takayama
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Reservations, Travel, Apps

Ken Takayama - External Audit & Supervisory @ Media Do

## Masaya Kubota
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Series B, Series A
- Focus: Information Technology, Information Services, Artificial Intelligence

Masaya served as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers and Barclays a tech banker handling various M&A and financing transactions for wide range of domestic and international technology companies. Throughout his career as an investment banker, he has consistently been covering internet and media sector based in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and New Yorkoffice, and has handled 50+ corporate finance transactions involving various corporates ranging from venture company to large public enterprise. He joined WiL as a Partner and one of the founding member in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from the Keio University.

## Yusaku Maezawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Mihama, Kyoto, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series C
- Focus: Gaming, Developer Tools, Artificial Intelligence

Yusaku Maezawa is a Founder of Zozotown.

## Hironari Umino
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Apps, Beauty, Incubators

Hironari Umino - Chairman @ Increments

## Jo Hirao
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Series B, Seed, Series C
- Focus: Retail, E-Commerce, College Recruiting

Jo Hirao

## Masaru Tange
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: E-Commerce, Food Delivery, Internet

Masaru Tange graduated from Kyoto University and joined Incs Inc. in 2000 where he started their IT business and strategy consulting group with only 2 members and developed it into the company's main business with a team of 140 consultants with annual revenue of $50M in 5 years. He then founded SHIFT Inc in 2005 in his studio apartment. He wasthe only employee. The business world wasn't very kind to him - he made no revenue for a while but he kept experimenting with the business model listening to the needs of customers. In 2009, he finally found traction in the "software testing industry." In 2014, Masaru successfully IPO'ed the company. Shift now has 500 employees.

## Eiko Matsumura
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Apps, Beauty, Health Care

Eiko Matsumura - President / CEO @ BASKET

## Takami Watanabe
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: FinTech, Business Development, Artificial Intelligence

Takami Watanabe is the Certified Public Accountant.

## Shimada Tatsuro
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Software, Sales

Shimada Tatsuro

## Shota Iwasaki
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Recruiting, Human Resources, Staffing Agency

Shota Iwasaki

## Hiromasa Umeda
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Information Technology, Media and Entertainment

Hiromasa Umeda - Representative Director and CEO @ Medical note

## Alexandr Wang
- Type: Angel
- Location: San Francisco, California, United States
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Series A, Seed, Series B
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Software, Information Technology

Alexandr Wang is based out of San Francisco, California, and is the Board of Directors of Scale AI. Alexandr Wang attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

## Yoshitsune Ido
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: Information Technology, Robotics, Software

Yoshitsune Ido

## Thomas Wolf
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Software, Information Technology

Thomas Wolf is the Chief Science Officer at Hugging Face. He previously worked at Cabinet Plasseraud as a European Patent Attorney. Thomas Wolf studied at 
Pierre and Marie Curie University studying Statistical / Quantum Physics.

## Suzuki Tatsuya
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Internet, Agriculture, Information Technology

1985. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Hitotsubashi University. In 2008, he engaged in new business support and venture support for large companies at Inspire Co., Ltd. In 2011, he was appointed director of UXConsulting company wacul. In 2012, he was appointed director of giftee.

## Kensuke Furukawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Content, Social Media, Media and Entertainment

Kensuke Furukawa was born in June 2, 1981. He graduated Waseda University majoring Political Science and Economics, and in 2000, he launched "Milkcafe", a student community, which has grown to a site with 10 million PV per month. In 2004, he became the CEO of Media Clip, which operates a rental bulletin board service "ShitarabaBBS". After that year, he had transfer "Shitaraba BBS" to Livedoor, and took charge of starting up the Consumer Generated Media sector. In 2006, he joined Recruit, and took charge of starting up a new business at Business development sector. In June of 2009, he left Recruit, and became the CEO of nanapi （formerly Rocket Start), which operates the How-to Site "nanapi".

## Reimu Sugita
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Focus: Medical, Marketing, Elder Care

More than 5 years professional firm experience as a consultant with strong focus on healthcare industry
Proven track records in top-tier strategic consulting firm with broad experience of Japanese/global pharmaceutical and hospital projects As an ophthalmologist, has clinical perspective as well as business perspective and can incorporate bothon solving issues in healthcare industry

## Hiroki Nakamura
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Web Design, Software, Content

After joining DENTSU, I initially produced only banner advertising, but it is expected to be active, and I will be able to work on a number of digital campaigns. In 2011, he became independent and founded PARTY with four members. Cannes Lions Young Competition, Japan's Cyber Division, 2nd place in the world. He has received more than 250advertising awards in Japan and abroad. Recent masterpieces include Lady Gaga's life-size hearing aids “GAGADOLL”, “UNIQLO / UT Picks”, “Suntory / Intensive Regain”, “TOYOTA / TOWN”, such as “Shizukita-” all digital campaigns. TOKYO FM Radio “Sawamoto Gonpachi will end soon.” Guest Personality.

## Kazuhiro Fukuda
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence

Kazuhiro Fukuda is an entrepreneur supporter/angel investor.

## Takeshi Hirano
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Big Data, Aerospace, Machine Learning

Takeshi Hirano - Auditor (External) @ Morpho

## Keisuke Tomimatsu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Angel
- Focus: CRM, Big Data, Analytics

Keisuke Tomimatsu is the Co-Founder at ABEJA. Keisuke Tomimatsu attended Keio University.

## Hirotaka Matsuoka
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Pre-Seed
- Focus: Consulting, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence

Hirotaka Matsuoka is a individual investor.

## Hiroto Furuhashi
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Hiroto Furuhashi

## Ken Honda
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: E-Commerce, Agriculture, Business Development

Ken Honda

## Uenoyama Katsuya
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Corporate Round
- Focus: Fashion, Software, Advertising

Uenoyama Katsuya - CEO @ PKSHA Technology

## Paul Rosenberg
- Type: Angel
- Location: New York, New York, United States
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Series A
- Focus: Music, Apps, Logistics

Paul Rosenberg is currently the CEO of Def Jam Recordings.

## Hiroki Kamatsu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Sales, Analytics, Data Management

Hiroki Kamatsu

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