# Top 35 Photography Startup Investors in Japan in June 2026 ## MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE Venture Capital (MSIVC) - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 3 - Stages: Seed, Series B - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Health Care MSIVC is a venture capital firm that invests in Japanese and global startups scaling to IPO. It focuses on startups in verticals of Fintech, SaaS, Healthcare, AI, E-Commerce, Foodtech, and Environment etc. ## ANOBAKA - Type: VC Fund - Location: Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence ANOBAKA is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm with rich group resources to add value to seed-stage startups. ANOBAKA actively invests in and supports startups aiming to be a global leader in the innovative Internet business and promising to greatly grow up in the future. ANOBAKA's investment focuses on fledgling seed-stage startups. Inaddition to investment financing, ANOBAKA provides founders with a variety of business support such as development consulting by our engineers, sales support, and international marketing support. ## Seiko Electric - Type: VC Fund - Location: Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Photography, Digital Media, Artificial Intelligence Seiko Electric has contributed to society with the best products and services. They have continued to develop technologies that usher in new eras based on sound management and human resource development. They will work to develop new products and businesses using original information and control technology and contribute to the construction ofenvironmentally friendly, safe, and comfortable social infrastructure. ## Mizuho Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 2 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Internet Mizuho is the venture capital firm affiliated to Mizuho Bank, the second-largest Japanese bank in terms of assets. The firm has headquarters in Tokyo.The firm has ¥49.6 billion JPY under management, focusing on information technology and biotechnology investments. Over 600 Mizuho companies have gone public. According to Nikkei, Mizuho is thefifth-largest venture capital firm in Japan.Mizuho Capital was formed in 2002 by the merger of Fujigin Capital, Tokyo Venture Capital and IBJ Investment. Three firms were subsidiaries of Fuji Bank, Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank and the Industrial Bank of Japan respectively. ## SG INCUBATE - Type: VC Fund - Location: Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Logistics SG Incubation was born as an investment company for the formation of corporate venture capital (CVC), which invests in Kyushu's first startup company.Regardless of the stage of growth, the startup company that will be the investor will first value the “human nature” of the manager, determine whether it is a company that should support thefuture, and provide capital and management back up. The Seibu Gas Group will continue to aim for new business areas. ## Mitsubishi UFJ Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Information Technology, Software, Health Care Mitsubishi UFJ Capital is a venture capital firm focusing on life science, ICT, and high technology investments. ## Showa Leasing - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A - Focus: Printing, Publishing, Photography Showa Leasing engages in the leasing of machine tools, construction machinery, medical equipment, and commercial equipment. The company was founded on April 2, 1969 and its headquarters are located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. ## Kenji Endo - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Apps, Fitness, Internet Kenji Endo - Director @ Japan Business Systems ## FFG Venture Business Partners - Type: VC Fund - Location: Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Seed - Focus: Software, Health Care, Artificial Intelligence FFG Venture Business Partners is a large-scale enterprise that offers in traditional regional bank venture capital. ## QTnet - Type: VC Fund - Location: Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A - Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Medical, Software QTnet is a telecommunication and internet service provider. ## STRIVE - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Internet, E-Commerce STRIVE focuses on investing in early-stage (Seed to Series A) internet and mobile companies. It seeks out companies in Japan, Southeast Asia, and India with top-notch management teams and strong market potential. It is not tied to strategic investments for GREE Inc. and leverages its pan-Asia expertise for guiding its portfolio in an engaged,hands-on role. ## Kazuhiro Ishikura - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - 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. ## Nippon Venture Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Software, Health Care, Medical Nippon Venture Capital ("NVCC"), established in 1996 as one of the few largest Japanese independent venture capital firms, is destined to undertake the unprecedented task of providing full-range venture capital services in cooperation with major Japanese business leaders and leading companies, which have supported and nurtured various newbusinesses on their own, as well as proactively developing new venture enterprises. ## 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. ## Kyoto Capital Partners - Type: VC Fund - Location: Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B - Focus: Manufacturing, Medical, Health Care Kyoto Capital Partners is an investment company affiliated with the Bank of Kyoto. ## Innovation Engine - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series C - Focus: Software, Information Technology, Medical Innovation Engine has been is promoting investment to create and grow promising business areas created from technology. ## Norinchukin Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B, Seed - Focus: B2B, FinTech, Agriculture Norinchukin Capital is a private equity fund management firm. ## Monex Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Minato, Chiba, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Financial Services, Information Technology Monex Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Japan that finances seed and early stage investments in startup companies. ## 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. ## FGN ABBA Lab - Type: VC Fund - Location: Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed - Focus: Software, Aerospace, Information Technology FGN ABBA Lab is an investment fund that mainly supports pre-seed to series A early stage startups. In this FGN ABBA Lab fund, they will support startups with the idea of ​​creating “things and things” that make the world exciting without limiting the genre, investment, training, and social implementation. ## Darwin Venture Management - Type: VC Fund - Location: Taipei, T'ai-pei, Taiwan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Manufacturing, Information Technology Darwin Venture Management is a venture capital firm headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, with offices in Hsinchu and the United States. Since our founding in 2009, we have managed eight funds, investing primarily in Series A/B, late-stage, and secondary funds. In 2022, we also launched an evergreen angel fund to enable more nimble bets onpromising early-stage teams, and especially those coming from Taiwan’s superb academic and research institutions. This exposure across stages and borders, coupled with the strong technical background of our team, is the source of Darwin’s differentiation. We recently launched our 8th fund Darjune. ## Shinsei Bank - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series C - Focus: Finance, Internet, Task Management We provide online services and English-speaking support, allowing you to make transactions anytime, anywhere. ## Sagin Capital & Consulting - Type: VC Fund - Location: Saga, Saga, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series B, Series A - Focus: Information Technology, Internet, Software Sagin Capital & Consulting is the venture capital arm of The Bank of Saga. ## Gakken Plus Japan - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A - Focus: Art, EdTech, Robotics Gakken Plus is a publishing business offering a catalog of books and magazines. ## Chushin Venture Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Seed, Series B - Focus: Biotechnology, Health Care, Manufacturing Chushin Venture Capital is a venture capital fund established by Kyoto Chuo Shinkin Bank. ## Seiji Kurokoshi - Type: Angel - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Angel - Focus: Sports, Travel, Fashion Seiji Kurokoshi (黒越誠治) is an angel investor. ## Mercari - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series B - Focus: Finance, Internet, E-Commerce Mercari is your marketplace. It's the perfect place to declutter and discover items that are uniquely you. Say 'goodbye' to your old go-tos and 'hello' to one-of-a-kind treasures. ## Kyushin Social Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Seed, Series B - Focus: Health Care, Sales, Manufacturing Kyushin Social Capital is an Investment firm. ## Venture United - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed, Series A - Focus: Software, Travel, Content Venture United is a provider of venture capital for entrepreneurs, especially for internet-related businesses. ## DIGISEARCH & ADVERTISING - Type: VC Fund - Location: Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Seed - Focus: Fashion, Marketing, E-Learning DIGISEARCH & ADVERTISING is a financial service based company. ## SMBC Venture Capital - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A, Series B - Focus: Information Technology, Health Care, Software Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and its group companies offer a broad range of financial services centered on banking. They are also engaged in the leasing, securities, credit card, investment, mortgage securitization, venture capital and other credit related businesses. The following lists the activities of SMBC, its subsidiaries andaffiliates in the various business segments. ## Regional Economy Revitalization Support Organization - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A - Focus: Photography, Digital Media, Artificial Intelligence The Regional Economy Revitalization Support Organization supports small and medium-sized companies. ## Light Up Ventures - Type: VC Fund - Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series B - Focus: Manufacturing, Market Research, Product Research Light Up Ventures is an Investment firm. ## QR Investment - Type: VC Fund - Location: Japan, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series B, Series A, Seed - Focus: Financial Services, FinTech, Finance QR Investment Operates as an investment firm. ## HED - Type: VC Fund - Relevant deals: 1 - Stages: Series A - Focus: Drones, Events, Electronics HED is an investment firm.