Record investment in Japanese startups- Nikkei Asian Review

Japanese investment in startup companies is surging, driven by interest in a number of powerful new technological trends. In the first six months of 2016, unlisted startups in the country raised a record 92.8 billion yen ( 897 million) of capital, up 21% from the same period the previous year. Total investment in entrepreneurial ventures in 2016 is likely to reach the highest level since data started being compiled in 2006. The trend has been led by companies keen to invest in ventures which own cutting-edge technology in areas like artificial intelligence. Japan Venture Research, a Tokyo-based research company, has estimated the amount of money raised by some 8,600 unlisted companies by analyzing data concerning their capital.