# Top 50 Software Angel Investors in Japan in May 2026

## Kotaro Chiba
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 20
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Drones, Software

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

## Ayataro Nakagawa
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 18
- 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.

## Kensuke Furukawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 15
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Content, Media and Entertainment, 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".

## Yusuke Sato
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 14
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Internet, Content, Food and Beverage

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

## Hirofumi Miki
- Type: Angel
- Location: Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan
- Relevant deals: 14
- 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.

## Hidetoshi Takano
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 11
- 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.

## Yu Akasaka
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 10
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Food and Beverage, Content, Internet

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.

## Nobuhiro Ariyasu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 9
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Content, Internet, Finance

Nobuhiro Ariyasu is the CEO at Coach United.

## Mamoru Taniya
- Type: Angel
- Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
- Relevant deals: 9
- 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.

## Toru Shimada
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 7
- 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.

## Masao Ito
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 7
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Content, Social Media, Information Technology

Masao Ito is a Founder & CEO at User Local.

## Shintaro Yamada
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 6
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Internet, Finance, Information Technology

During his years at Waseda University, Shintaro worked at Japan’s biggest e-commerce mall, Rakuten, Inc. On August 1st 2001, Shintaro established “Unoh Inc.” after graduating university. At Unoh he was responsible for designing and developing several web services, one of which was the online magazine subscription . Services provided by Unohinclude planning, development and management of the film enthusiast community site “Movie Life” (acquired by PIA Corporation) as well as “Sugu.CC” , “NeoAd” (both acquired by GMOAP) and the photo sharing site “Photozou” (acquired by Digital Garage).In 2009 Unoh entered into social gaming, creating multiple successful social games. Among these games, “Machitsuku!” has been its biggest hit with over 5 million users. On August 3rd 2010, Unoh joined Zynga and Shintaro became General Manager of Zynga Japan. He resigned on January 2012. After traveling around the world, He established the new company “Mercari, Inc.” on February 2013 and released the resale shopping app “Mercari” on July 2013 in Japan.He is a true Internet geek, spending a lot of time on the Internet and boasts around 180,000 followers on Twitter.

## Hironao Kunimitsu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 6
- 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.

## Noguchi Keito
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Media and Entertainment, Marketing, Financial Services

Noguchi Keito - Founder @ Vapes

## Tatsuo Sakamoto
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Education, Task Management, Recruiting

Tatsuo Sakamoto

## Shogo Kawada
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Software, SaaS, Media and Entertainment

Shogo Kawada is Co-founder and Adviser of DeNA, a global Internet company focused on a social games platform, social games, e-commerce and other Web services for mobile devices and PCs.

## Yuzuru Honda
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: SNS, Internet, Software

Yuzuru Honda is a Founder & Global CEO of FreakOut.

## Soichiro Kawai
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 5
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Media and Entertainment, Information Technology, Internet

Soichiro Kawai - CEO @ ReBoost

## Masanori Sugiyama
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 5
- 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.

## Shunsuke Oyu
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 4
- 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.

## Kazuma Ieiri
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Content, Fashion, Recruiting

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.

## Yasuyuki Kin
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Media and Entertainment, Information Technology, Career Planning

Yasuyuki Kin

## Narita Shuzo
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Task Management, Media and Entertainment, Content

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

## Naoki Aoyagi
- Type: Angel
- Location: San Francisco, California, United States
- Relevant deals: 4
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Fashion, Software

Naoki Aoyagi is a Senior Vice President at GREE, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of GREE International, Inc. He joined GREE, Inc. in March 2006 from Deutsche Bank, where he had specialized in tech and media sector IPOs and M&A advisory work. At GREE, Aoyagi oversaw the Company's partnership with KDDI and its IPO before leading thedevelopment of GREE’s global operations, a role he continues today. Aoyagi earned a bachelor's degree in policy management from Keio University in 2002.

## Kiyoshi Nishikawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 4
- 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: 3
- Stages: Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
- Focus: Information Technology, Robotics, Software

Yoshitsune Ido

## Mizuki Inoue
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: CRM, Finance, Security

Mizuki Inoue - Director @ Kudan

## Taizo Son
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Angel
- Focus: Financial Services, Information Technology, Venture Capital

Taizo Son - Co-Founder @ VIVITA

## Masaru Sunagawa
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Artificial Intelligence, SNS, Music

After joining Mitsubishi Corporation, he studied at Harvard Business School. After graduating, he joined Globespan Capital Partners, an independent United States VC, and worked as a director of investment. He started LocationValue after the company's representative in Japan. Joined Google after selling the company to NTT DOCOMO. He served asDirector of Product Development for Google Maps and General Manager for Android. He left Google in February 2018 and started Smartround Co., Ltd. in May.

## Daisuke Takanashi
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: SNS, Content, Finance

Daisuke Takanashi is an angel investor.

## Ryosuke Matsumoto
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Art, Reservations, Software

Ryosuke Matsumoto is the founder and CEO of Community Factory Inc.Ryosuke is born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1981. He joined launching of the publication venture company, and ran a cafe while he was attending Chuo University in Tokyo. Since he joined launching the social media venture company in 2004, he has been in social media business. In2006, Ryosuke founded Community Factory Inc. which specialized in planning and operating social media and blog services.Community Factory started to specialize in social application for mobile from 2009, and Community Factory draw investments of around 4.5 million US dollars from venture capitals and mixi inc. then the biggest social media in Japan. DECOPIC, Community Factory's one of the apps for smartphone, has been downloaded 6 million times in the 6 months since its release, and it is rapidly gaining users mainly in Asian countries.In Sep 2012, Ryosuke and other stock holders sold Community Factory to Yahoo Japan Corp., and he remains as CEO of Community Factory.

## Shuuichi Wada
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Reservations, Content, Social Media

Shuuichi Wada - CTO @ alu Japan

## Masaru Tange
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- 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.

## Shota Horii
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Information Technology, Internet, Art

Shota Horii

## Takaya Shinozuka
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Local, Advertising

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

## Yoshinori Fukushima
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Internet, Marketing, Media and Entertainment

Completed the Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo. He developed the service of “Gunosy” while he was in graduate school. Established Gnosy in 2012 and appointed CEO. In 2013, he was appointed President and CEO. 2012 IPA Unexplored Super Creator. He also served as President of LayerX.

## Kiyohiro Sugashita
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Marketing, Travel, Media and Entertainment

Mr. Sugashita joined Polaris as Advisor in May 2011. He is Director and CEO of Sugashita Partners, Ltd since 1998 and provides consulting services to financial institutions and ventures in and outside of Japan. Prior to that position, he was CEO of Lazard Japan Asset Management from 1991 to 1998. His business career also includes positions at DaiwaSecurities and Merrill Lynch Securities, Tokyo Branch. On the academic front, Mr. Sugashita received a BA in Economics from Ritsumeikan University and since 2009 is Special Advisor for the Dean of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

## Yuichi Kawasaki
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Angel, Seed
- Focus: CRM, Finance, Security

Yuichi Kawasaki Prior joining SmartNews, I was COO at mixi, Founder & CEO at kamado, Executive Vice President at Hatena. I started my career at Cisco Systems G.K.

## Shuichi Takenaga
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Information Technology, Management Consulting, Marketing

Takenaga Shuuichi is an individual investor.

## Hiroki Nakamura
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A
- Focus: Software, Web Design, 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.

## Jun Ogawa
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel
- Focus: Software, Education, Information Technology

Jun Ogawa is the Managing Director at Pixie Dust Technologies. He was a former Country Manager at Kaizen Platform.

## Chihiro Asano
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Content, Legal, FinTech

Chief Technology Officer at Money Forward.

## Shunsuke Sasaki
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
- Focus: Social Media, Content, SNS

Shunsuke Sasaki - Executive officer @ Jiraffe

## Chikako Morimoto
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed
- Focus: Human Resources, Employment, Information Technology

Chikako Morimoto - External Counsel @ Traimmu

## Robert Huang
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A
- Focus: Education, E-Learning, Language Learning

Mr. Huang founded SYNNEX in 1980 and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Prior to this, Mr. Huang was the International Sales Manager at Advanced Micro Devices. Mr. Huang holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Kyushyu University, Japan, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rochester and an M.S. inManagement Science from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.

## Shigeru Urushibara
- Type: Angel
- Location: Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Series A, Seed, Angel
- Focus: Task Management, Artificial Intelligence, Social Media

Shigeru Urushibara - President & CEO @ UL Systems

## Tomohito Ebine
- Type: Angel
- Location: Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Angel, Series A
- Focus: Home Services, Information Technology, Consulting

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

## Hiroshi Tomishima
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- 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.

## Makoto Takano
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Focus: Content, Sports, Apps

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.

## Masahiko Inada
- Type: Angel
- Relevant deals: 3
- Stages: Angel, Seed
- Focus: SNS, Content, Finance

Masahiko Inada is the Venture Advisor at DNX Ventures. He was Founder and Chairman at Kabuku Inc. He attended The University of Tokyo.

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