# Top 45 Sports Angel Investors in Japan in June 2026

## Hidetoshi Takano
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- 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.

## 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.

## Makoto Takano
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series B, Angel
- Focus: Content, Sports, Human Resources

Makoto Takano is CEO of atomixmedia, inc., publisher and editor-in-chief of Forbes Japan and Rolling Stone Japan since June, 2014. Prior to joining Atomixmedia, Inc., he was Managing Director and President of PIMCO Japan Ltd. Before joining PIMCO in 2001, he was head of marketing at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Makoto's prior experiencealso includes work at Daiwa Securities where he was head of the strategists team at Daiwa Institute of Research. He has published extensively on the capital markets. In 1992, he was awarded Securities Analysts Journal Prize by the Securities Analyst Association of Japan. He has also given lectures on asset management at Waseda University and Kyoto University. He holds master’s and undergraduate degrees in engineering from Waseda University. Makoto serves as Director of Nippon Finance Association and Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation.

## Dai Tamesue
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Angel, Seed, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Apps, Sports, Health Care

Dai Tamesue is the Chief Marketing Officer of Miekuru.

## Kevin Chou
- Type: Angel
- Location: San Francisco, California, United States
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Gaming, Video Games, eSports

Kevin Chou is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SuperLayer. He previously worked at Kabam as a Co-Founder and CEO. Kevin Chou attended UC Berkeley, Haas Business School.

## Kevin Lin
- Type: Angel
- Location: San Francisco, California, United States
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Gaming, Information Technology, Video Games

Kevin Lin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Metatheory. He previously worked at Everyday Ventures as an Owner and Manager. Kevin Lin attended Yale University.

## Kensuke Furukawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- 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".

## Hiroaki Kitano
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Debt Financing
- Focus: Health Care, Fitness, Medical

Hiroaki Kitano is the SVP at Softbank Mobile. He attended Waseda University.

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

Yoshinori Fukushima - CEO @ LayerX

## Yuto Nagatomo
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: SNS, Video, Beauty

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

## 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.

## Kentaro Uryu
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Beauty, Sports, Internet

Kentaro Uryu - Legal advisor @ Adot

## Ishikawa Ryo
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Sports, Internet

Ishikawa Ryo

## Yu Akasaka
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- 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.

## Yasuyuki Kin
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Media and Entertainment, Recruiting, Career Planning

Yasuyuki Kin

## 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.

## 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.

## Eiko Hashiba
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Fitness, Health Care

Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo. Joined Goldman Sachs in 2001. 2003 Experience planning and management of budgets at Lore Alu Japan. In 2007, he was engaged in PE investment at Unison Capital. Get an MBA at MIT. The Company will launch VISASQ in 2012.

## Gaku Nakamura
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Pre-Seed
- Focus: Sports, Education, Information Technology

Gaku Nakamura - Co-Founder and CEO @ RareJob

## Takaya Shinozuka
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Local, Sports

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

## Takashi Sato
- Type: Angel
- Location: Menlo Park, California, United States
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: FinTech, Software, Analytics

Takashi Sato is a Managing Partner at MS&AD Ventures.

## Fumiaki Koizumi
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Internet, E-Commerce, Information Technology

Fumiaki Koizumi - Executive Director @ Mercari

## Narita Shuzo
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Angel
- Focus: Task Management, Content, Internet

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

## Kamata Tomihisa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Fitness, Medical, Genetics

Dr. Kamada earned his Ph.D. at the University of Tokyo. In 1984, he pursued his journey to establish his own business that focused on information appliances and mobile software, namely ACCESS Co., Ltd.. With great success, the company entered the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Market in 2001. He left ACCESS Co., Ltd. in 2011, and founded TomyK Ltd.in 2012 where he supports startups possessing revolutionary business ideas that revitalize the Japanese economy.

## Akihiro Nishino
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Content, SNS, Audio

Akihiro Nishino is a Japanese comedian.

## Naoki Yamada
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Information Technology, Software, Sports

Naoki Yamada

## Taku Namura
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Sports, Internet

Taku Namura

## Yoshihito Nishioka
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Sports, Content, Social Media

DescriptionYoshihito Nishioka is a Japanese tennis player.

## 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.

## Koji Ninomiya
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Rental, Sports, Video Editing

Koji Ninomiya is the Board of Directors at Fan Communications.

## Haruki Satomi
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Angel
- Focus: Sports, Fantasy Sports, Media and Entertainment

Haruki Satomi - Chairman of the Board and CEO @ SEGA Games

## Murakami Hiroki
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Sports, Internet

Murakami Hiroki

## Kei Nishikiori
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Sports, Internet

Kei Nishikiori

## Siqi Chen
- Type: Angel
- Location: San Francisco, California, United States
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Software, Gaming

Siqi Chen is the Chief Financial Officer of Runway. He previously worked as an Advisor at Laserlike Inc. Siqi attended UC San Diego, where he obtained a BA in Mathematics and Computer Science.

## 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.

## Shunsuke Oyu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Content, Internet, Media and Entertainment

Shunsuke Oyu is the co-founder of Connehito Inc. 
Started an online Q&A platform “mamari” which is the largest platform for moms in Japan. Connehito was acquired by one of the telecom giant KDDI in 2016.
Selected as a “Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia” at consumer technology department. Angel-investing 50+ companies globally.

## Yasuyoshi Yanagisawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Post-IPO Equity
- Focus: Media and Entertainment, Food and Beverage, Content

Yasuyoshi Yanagisawa - President & CEO @ FAN Communications

## Sadoshima Ryuhei
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Focus: Health Care, Fitness, Information Technology

Sadoshima Ryuhei - President & CEO @ Safie

## Yoshikazu Tanaka
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Apps, Gaming, Sports

Yoshikazu Tanaka founded GREE in December 2004, and serves as the company's founder and chief executive officer. Before founding GREE, he previously worked at So-net Entertainment Corporation and Rakuten, Inc. While at Rakuten, Inc., he started developing SNS GREE in his spare time. This project became GREE.Tanaka earned abachelor's degree in Law from Nihon University in 1999.

## Masayuki SHOBAYASHI
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Fitness, Software, Mobile Apps

Masayuki SHOBAYASHI

## Matsumoto Yoji
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Rental, Sports, Video Editing

Matsumoto Yoji - Vice President @ FAN Communications

## Minoru Moriya
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Health Care, Nursing and Residential Care, Internet

Minoru Moriya is a director at AuB.

## Otomi Tomohiro
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Health Care, Travel, Content

Otomi Tomohiro - CEO @ Tyrus

## 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.

## Yuki Sato
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Sports, Internet, Recruiting

Engineer since 10 years old. Electronics, Mechanical, Web, iOS Android

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