# Top 45 Artificial intelligence Angel Investors in Japan in October 2023

## Kotaro Chiba
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Drones, Software

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

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

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.

## 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.

## Mamoru Taniya
- Type: Angel
- Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- 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.

## Masao Ito
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Content, Social Media, Information Technology

Masao Ito is a Founder & CEO at User Local.

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

Shigeru Urushibara - President & CEO @ UL Systems

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

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.

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

Matsuo Koichiro - Director @ Kokopelli

## Hirofumi Miki
- Type: Angel
- Location: Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Content, Marketing, Internet

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.

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

Takenaga Shuuichi is an individual investor.

## Yutaka Matsuo
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 2
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Neuroscience, Machine Learning

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.

## 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.

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

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

## Shuhei Yamashita
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Music, Content Creators, Artificial Intelligence

Shuhei Yamashita - Representative Director @ CRE

## Atsushi Fukuda
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Music, Content Creators, Artificial Intelligence

Atsushi Fukuda is the president of Speedy.

## Kazuhiro Aoyagi
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Angel
- Focus: Marketing, Task Management, Machine Learning

Kazuhiro Aoyagi is the Representative Director, CEO, and Founder of Ignition Point Japan. he is also an Outside Director of Synapse Japan.

## Cheng Tao
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Telecommunications, Content, Internet

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

## Masanori Sugiyama
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Software, Internet, Media and Entertainment

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.

## Allen Miner
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series B
- Focus: Software, Career Planning, Cloud Security

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.

## Tomohito Ebine
- Type: Angel
- Location: Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Home Services, Information Technology, Consulting

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

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

Takeshi Hirano - Auditor (External) @ Morpho

## Jan Hung-Tze
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: SaaS, Apps, PaaS

A native of Nantou County born in the year 1956, Hung-Tze Jan graduated from the Department of Economics at National Taiwan University.Hung-Tze Jan is the chairman of PChome Online and also the founder of PChome Publication and Cite Publication.Hung-Tze Jan has over 30 years of experience in the media industry, having worked for United DailyNews, Commercial Times, China Times, Yuan-Liou Publishing, Rock Records, Chinese Television System, Business Weekly, and many more. During the time he served as editor-in-chief for numerous media companies, he planned and edited over thousands of books and periodicals and was the founder of over forty magazines, including PChome and Business Next.In Taiwan, Hung-Tze Jan is an acclaimed writer, opinion leader, filmmaker, editor, and publisher. He is highly respected for his insights on the issues between the socioeconomic environment and the trend towards the internet culture and creativity.Hung-Tze Jan is the chairman of the Taiwan Internet and E-Commerce Association (TiEA). He has also served as chairman, director, and supervisor for many other associations in the publishing and information industries. In 1997, the People Magazine of Taiwan awarded him the Diamond Award. In 2008, the Government Information Office awarded him the Special Award of the 2nd Golden Vessel Awards for Digital Publishers.

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

Hironari Umino - Chairman @ Increments

## Shinsuke Mori
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Legal, Task Management, Artificial Intelligence

Shinsuke Mori - Joint Researcher and Technical Advisor @ LegalForce Japan

## Yusaku Maezawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Mihama, Kyoto, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series C
- Focus: Gaming, Cryptocurrency, Financial Services

Yusaku Maezawa is a Founder at Zozotown.

## Hiroshi Tomishima
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Internet, E-Commerce, Big Data

Hiroshi Tomishima is the President and Founder of Zkyuun Entertainment and an Executive Director at Mercari.

## Kenshin Fujiwara
- Type: Angel
- Location: Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Mobile, Medical, Software

Kenshin is a CEO at Hacarus Inc., a healthcare technology startup based in Kyoto, Japan.He co-founded several tech startups with 2 exits in the past 15 years. His first career started as an engineer at Sony Computer Entertainment and worked on PlayStation development projects. HIs fist startup was acquired by Japanese public company, and thesecond startup was sold to the US company.Born in 1976. He holds a Computer Science degree from California State University. He loves mountain hiking and currently living in Kyoto Japan with his wife and family.

## Yusuke Sato
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Internet, Content, Food and Beverage

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

## Muraguchi Tomotaka
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence

Muraguchi Tomotaka

## Yusuke Ando
- Type: Angel
- Location: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Series A
- Focus: Content, Education, Social Media

YUSUKE ANDO is a Outside Director at hachidori.

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

Shinji Kimura - Chairman/Founder @ AnyPay

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

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

Eiko Matsumura - President / CEO @ BASKET

## 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.

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

Bart Joseph Broadman

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

Jo Hirao

## 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.

## Abdo Achkar
- Type: Angel
- Location: Stanford, California, United States
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series B
- Focus: B2B, SaaS, Artificial Intelligence

Abdo Achkar is the Founder & CEO at Sowlutions.

## 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

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

DescriptionYoshihito Nishioka is a Japanese tennis player.

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

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.

## Kazuomi Kaneto
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed, Series B, Series C
- 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.

## 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

## Toshi Yamamoto
- Type: Angel
- Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States
- Relevant deals: 1
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Apps, Beauty, Health Care

Toshi Yamamoto is an entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley as CEO of ChatWork Japan and US.In 2000, Toshi bootstrapped a business of web marketing and software sales, and made it profitable for the past 12 years.In 2012, Toshi decided to drive all the resources to focus on its own service, ChatWork, set up a US office and moved to SiliconValley. Toshi changed the company name from EC studio to ChatWork at that time.Toshi has also written three books that have been ranked as #1 of all books on Amazon.co.jp.

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

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.

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