# Top 50 Hardware Angel Investors in Japan in June 2026

## Kotaro Chiba
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 7
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Drones, Travel

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

## Yusuke Sato
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Content, Internet, Food and Beverage

Yusuke Sato is the Co-Representative and Co-Founder of Pulit.

## Hironao Kunimitsu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 4
- 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.

## 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.

## 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.

## Ayataro Nakagawa
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- 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.

## Keisuke Honda
- Type: Angel
- Location: Chuo, Hokkaido, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Series A, Seed, Series B
- Focus: FinTech, Software, Financial Services

Keisuke Honda is the Founder & CEO of Now Do.

## 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.

## Allen Miner
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series B
- Focus: Software, SaaS, Retail

Allen Miner is a founder/General Partner of SunBridge Partners and the founder/CEO of SunBridge Corporation. Allen has significant experience in Internet, enterprise and open-source software, entrepreneurship, and international technology transfer. Allen has been actively involved in each of the firm’s investments resulting in numeroussuccessful IPOs, including salesforce.com, MacroMill, ITMedia and G-Mode, among others. Allen is currently a member of the Board of Directors of salesforce Japan.Allen graduated from Brigham Young University with degrees in Computer Science and Asian Studies. He joined Oracle Corporation in 1986 and was dispatched to Japan, where he founded and helped lead Oracle Japan to a successful IPO on the Japan stock market. Allen returned from Japan in 1996 to serve as Oracle’s Vice President in charge of Linux/Open Source.Allen created SunBridge Corporation in 1999. Allen currently serves on the Boards of several SunBridge portfolio companies and as an advisor to government-affiliated organizations focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. He was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Japan Venture Capital Association upon its founding in 2002.

## 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.

## 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.

## Yoshitsune Ido
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Robotics, Information Technology, B2C

Yoshitsune Ido

## Taizo Son
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Financial Services, Information Technology, Apps

Taizo Son is the Co-Founder of VIVITA. Taizo Son attended the University of Tokyo.

## Narita Shuzo
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Angel
- Focus: Task Management, Content, Internet

Narita Shuzo is a Executive Vice President/COO, CrowdWorks Inc.

## 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

## Yoshinori Fukushima
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Software, Marketing

Yoshinori Fukushima - CEO @ LayerX

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

Matsuo Koichiro - Director @ Kokopelli

## Yasumasa Manabe
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Information Technology, Drones, EdTech

Yasumasa Manabe

## Cheng Tao
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Telecommunications, Content, Internet

Tao Cheng currently works as Chief Executive Officer and Founder of popIn.

## Yuto Nagatomo
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: SNS, Video, Beauty

Yuto Nagatomo - President, CEO, and Founder @ Cuore Co., Ltd.

## Koji Asano
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Series A
- Focus: Software, Video Conferencing, Information Services

Koji Asano is the CEO of Knowledge Work.

## Kazuhiko Ishikura
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Beauty, Content, Fashion

Kazuhiko Ishikura is based out of Tokyo, Tokyo and is the Co-Founder and Director of SDF Capital. Kazuhiko previously worked at 3minute Inc. as a Director. Kazuhiko Ishikura attended Aoyama Gakuin University.

## Soga Takeshi
- Type: Angel
- Location: Nerima, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Music, Mobile, Content

Soga Takeshi

## Oki Matsumoto
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Angel, Seed, Series A
- Focus: Information Technology, FinTech, Software

Oki Matsumoto began his career at Salomon Brothers Asia Limited in April 1987. He then joined Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. in April 1990 and was appointed General Partner of The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P. in November 1994. As a General Partner, he was Co-Head of its Tokyo Branch’s FX & Fixed Income Business and was in charge of FX and fixedincome products and the related risk management. It was in April 1999 that Matsumoto jointly established (the former) Monex, Inc. with Sony Corporation. In August 2004, Matsumoto become the Representative Director and CEO of the Company (former name: Monex Beans Holdings, Inc.) upon its formation through management integration of Monex, Inc. and Nikko Beans Inc. He was named the Representative Director, Chairman and CEO of the Company in February 2011 and then assumed his current position in June 2013.

## Kentaro Ruichi
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Content, Video Games, Social Network

Ruichi Kentaro is an Angel Investor.

## Daisuke Kamada
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Software, Task Management, Information Technology

Daisuke Kamada - Director (part-time) @ boarding pass

## Kazuma Ieiri
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Content, Fashion, FinTech

Born in 1978 and raised in Fukuoka prefecture, Kazuma founded paperboy&co. inc. (currently GMO Pepabo) and went on to become the youngest CEO ever (at the time) to take a company public in Japan by taking paperboy&co. public on the JASDAQ Japanese stock exchange. After leaving paperboy&co, he continued his startup trail by foundingBASE, CAMPFIRE, and XIMERA. Kazuma also dabbled in the food services industry via the founding of On The Corner (a cafe) and is active in the startup investment scene. He also started the Liverty-house project which attempts to create shared housing for young people in need.

## June Taketani
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: CRM, E-Commerce, Home Decor

June Taketani is an individual investor.

## Takao Ozawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Focus: Real Estate, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence

Takao is the former CEO of YJ Capital. He is also the President of Shopping Company at Yahoo Japan. Prior to Yahoo, he founded Bizseek, Inc. in 1999 which was acquired by Rakuten, Inc. in 2001. He joined Rakuten after the acquisition and was the Corporate Officer in charge of auctions. During his career in Rakuten, he was engaged in projects suchas formation of Rakuten Eagles. He left Rakuten in 2006 and founded Ozawa Research Institute where he enhanced business in areas such as investments to start-up companies and consulting. In 2011, he founded Crocos, Inc. which was sold to Yahoo Japan in 2012. As an angel investor, he invested/founded companies like nanapi, Appgrooves, STARFESTIVAL, Crocos, Netage and many others.

## Suzuki Yuto
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: SaaS, Social, Content

Suzuki Yuto

## Yoichi Aso
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Angel, Seed
- Focus: E-Commerce, Apparel, Content

Yoichi Aso is the President and CEO at Alpha Drive.

## Hitoshi Koide
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Finance, Hardware, Software

Hitoshi Koide

## Shota Horii
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Internet, Information Technology, Art

Shota Horii

## Jun Nishikawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Food and Beverage, Mobile, Content

Jun Nishikawa - Co-founder, Executive Vice President, COO @ Eureka

## Kensuke Furukawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Content, SNS, Software

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".

## 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.

## Kotaro Yamagishi
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Focus: Robotics, Aerospace, Space Travel

Kotaro Yamagishi is the Director at GREE. Additionally, Kotaro Yamagishi has had 4 past jobs including Vice President at GREE.

## Yuki Naito
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series B
- Focus: Internet, Manufacturing, SNS

Yuki Naito - CEO,President @ Drecom

## Taiga Matsuyama
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Software, Internet, Analytics

Taiga Matsuyama graduated form Waseda University, Matsuyama has been engaged in venture company support for more than ten years in Tokyo, after experience as a consultant at Accenture.Matsuyama became one of the board member of NetAge, Inc (IPO 2006), start-up incubator known by having invested in MIXI – Japanese top SNS and support severalstart-up companies.He also has contributed to the activity for create the start-up eco-system in Tokyo through the NPO Organization BVA (Bit Valley Association). Currently he has established Kronos Fund with angel investors, venture capital fund for investment in emerging early-stage companies.Kronos Fund has invested in more than 20 companies.

## Seio Nagami
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Task Management, SaaS, Legal

Seio Nagami

## Bart Joseph Broadman
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Series A
- Focus: Robotics, Machine Learning, Autonomous Vehicles

Bart Joseph Broadman

## Yu Akasaka
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Content, Food and Beverage, Apps

During Hosei University student, and intern at Hakuhodo C & D. After joining the Image-net, I do media monetization of EC site as a media planner. Then, new business, engaged in Alliance. Launched a crowdsourcing site "MILLION DESIGNS" of design in the individual, sold to Ransazu Corporation. Established the Eureka Co., Ltd., wasappointed Representative Director CEO.

## Teruhide Sato
- Type: Angel
- Location: Singapore, Central Region, Singapore
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Focus: E-Commerce, Internet, Apps

Teruhide Sato is President and Group CEO of netprice.com, Ltd., a global internet and e-commerce business incubator group (Tokyo Stock Exchange 3328). Lead the group to deliver the latest experience in online shopping across Japan, US, Europe and Asia. Strongly believe in the power of entrepreneurship.

## Tatsuo Sakamoto
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Information Technology, Content, Education

Tatsuo Sakamoto is a Head of Sales, Japan at MOLOCO. He Attended The University of Tokyo.

## Ryosuke Matsumoto
- Type: Angel
- Location: Minato, Chiba, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Art, Software, Reservations

Ryosuke Matsumoto is the Founder / CEO at Kankak. Ryosuke Matsumoto attended Chuo University.

## Yasuyuki Kin
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Media and Entertainment, Recruiting, Career Planning

Yasuyuki Kin

## Keisuke Wada
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Apps, Human Resources, Robotics

After graduating from Kyoto University, Future Venture Capital Co., Ltd., CyberAgent Investment: through the (now Cyber ​​Agent Ventures), established Selene Venture Partners (now representative partner). Then, has engaged in incubation activities of Internet ventures, including the establishment of the Corporation Pokerabo. The established:(typical current partner), you are doing investment and incubation activities with a focus on social apps field incubator fund bait in 2010.

## Hidetoshi Takano
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Internet, Information Technology, Human Resources

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.

## Masahiko Homma
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Software, Information Technology, Manufacturing

After graduating from Keio University, in the overseas investment arm of JAFCO, to carry out investments in Internet companies in Israel and Silicon Valley, JV establishment, the Japanese market business. From 2001, he worked in venture capital and corporate development department of Accenture. Works in the capital of Mitsubishi Corporationsubsidiary, to experience an IPO from venture capital MonotaRO, of Benchari public than in 2003. funds in 2007, specializing in seed stage investment of the net business, core People Partners establishment. He was appointed representative partner. is performed establishment phase of Pokerabo and gumi, the development of business investment in the establishment phase, significantly grow. 2010, incubate bait Fund No. 1 Limited Partnership establishment. Representative appointed partner.

## Hao Yan
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Series A
- Focus: Robotics, Manufacturing, Medical Device

Hao Yan is the Representative Director of EPS Holdings.

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