The Declaration of Startup Friendly Kansai 関西ベンチャーフレンドリー宣言

Under the Kansai Startup Backing Initiative, we aim to make the Kansai region a highly innovative area full of creativity and fully open to the world. To this end, now that a startup ecosystem is emerging in the Kansai region, we hereby announce that all supporting companies are quite positive in: inheriting a dynamic corporate culture typified by a unique way of thinking as well as a “Just try it” culture, both of which we have long fostered; and staying close beside next- generation entrepreneurs striving hard to launch new businesses, thereby providing them with necessary support.

August 6, 2018

[Our Overview] (Dear startups) Given that the Kansai region has historically produced many entrepreneurs, we believe that the region has the potential ability to produce and raise entrepreneurs in modern society. In recent years especially, business enterprises, local governments, universities, etc. have taken a growing interest in nurturing startup companies, thereby intensifying support activities for startup companies. However, these efforts have only led to the region being dotted with startup companies that are not integrated into a single combined system of startup companies and start-up corporations. Among others, increased efforts for open innovation would be required from large companies and startup companies. To enable the Kansai region to achieve further growth, it is vital to break the status quo to revitalize Kansai’s startup ecosystem. This has prompted us to announce the Kansai Startup Backing Initiative, aimed at deepening cooperation between existing companies and new startups. Asked about big hurdles faced in opening up a business, many startup companies cited their being turned away at the door due to lack of past trade performance when they approached existing companies, as well as business-building and development of marketing networks, technical support, management of funds, etc. To solve these problems, we have called upon business enterprises and other organizations willing to provide consultation on these matters. Their category of business covers a broad range, including financing, trading houses, manufacturing, IT firms, and infrastructure-building. You are encouraged to actively use the opportunities offered under the bolstered system.

[Supporting Companies as of August 27, 2021](in alphabetical order)（95companies in total） Industry Company / organization name Construction DAIWA HOUSE INDUSTRY CO., LTD ／ SHIMIZU CORPORATION Manufacturing AIR WATER INC. ／ BANDO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD. ／ DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., ／ Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. ／ KOKUYO Co., Ltd ／ KONAN ELECTRIC CO., LTD. ／ KUBOTA Corporation ／ MCC FOOD PRODUCTS CO., LTD. ／ MARUICHI STEEL TUBE LTD. ／ MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC Corporation ／ Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd. ／ MORESCO Corporation ／ Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd ／ Sanoyas Holdings Corporation ／ Suitousha Co., Ltd. ／ Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Electricity, Gas OSAKA GAS CO., LTD ／ The Kansai Electric Power Company, Incorporated Information and Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation ／ Global Cyber Group, Inc. ／ ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation ／ KANSAI TELEVISION CO. LTD．／ communications Micware Co., Ltd. ／ NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE WEST CORPORATION ／ NTT DATA Corporation ／ Proassist, Ltd. ／ SOPPRA Corporation ／ The Asahi Shimbun Company ／ THE KOBE SHIMBUN ／ TIS Inc. Transport and postal ART CORPORATION ／ Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. ／ JR West INNOVATIONS CO., LTD. ／ Kintetsu Group Holdings Co., Ltd ／ MAGUCHI HOLDINGS CO., activities LTD. ／ Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. Wholesale and Retail trade DIGITAL ALLIANCE HOLDINGS CO., LTD ／FELISSIMO CORPORATION ／ ITOCHU Corporation ／ Iwatani Corporation ／ MANIX Co., LTD. ／ Mayatec Co., Ltd. ／ Mitsubishi Corporation ／ Rock Field Co., Ltd. ／ SEIBUNSHA Co., Ltd. ／ Sewing Takeuchi Co., Ltd ／ SHINYEI KAISHA ／ Sumitomo Corporation Finance and Insurance Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co., Ltd. ／ Japan Bank for International Cooperation ／ JAPAN FINANCE CORPORATION／ Mercuria Investment Co., Ltd. ／ Mizuho Bank, Ltd. ／ MUFG Bank, Ltd. ／ NANTO BANK, LTD ／ Nippon Life Insurance Company ／ ORIX Corporation／ Resona Bank，Ltd．／ SUMITOMO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY／ Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation ／ Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank ／ The Bank of Kyoto，Ltd．／ The Minato Bank, Ltd. ／ The Senshu Ikeda Bank, Ltd. ／ The Shoko Chukin Bank, Ltd. Real estate Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. ／ SHIOYA TOCHI CO., LTD. ／ XYMAX KANSAI Corporation Scientific research, Daiko Advertising Inc. ／HAKUHODO Inc. ／ Healthy City Design Institute Inc. professional and technical services Accommodations, eating Hotel New Awaji Co., Ltd ／ Hotel Okura Kobe Co., Ltd ／ KOBE PORTOPIA HOTEL Co., Ltd. and drinking services Medical, health care and Fukunishi Dental &Oral Surgery Clinic welfare Services, N.E.C Anderson Mori & Tomotsune ／ ARCO PATENT & TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS ／ DUSKIN CO.,LTD. ／ Hirakawa Shoji Co., Ltd. ／ KAWAMURA & FUJIOKA LAW OFFICE ／ LIKE, Inc. ／ Nakatsukasa Certified Public Accountants Office ／ Peach Corporation Co., Ltd. ／ USJ LCC GOVERNMENT Japan Israel Chamber of Commerce Kansai (JICC Kansai) ／ JETRO（Japan External Trade Organization） ／ National Center for Industrial Property Information SERVICES and Training (INPIT) ／ Nippon Export and Investment Insurance Academia, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) ／ Kansai University. ／ Osaka Prefecture University ／ The Consortium of Universities in Research Institute Osaka ／ The OSAKA UNIVERSITY Research Association of Industry and Science

[Method for utilization and explanatory notes] • If you wish to receive advice from a supporting company, you are requested to contact us with the content described. It should be noted that depending on the content, your requirements may not be met. • If you have scheduled an interview, you may be requested to be accompanied by an interpreter (Japanese).

[Contact info for inquiries] 【Kansai Association of Corporate Executives】KIZU Mitsuaki／KAGAWA Akihiko, Planning and Research Department [email protected] 【Kobe Association of Corporate Executives】 DOHMOTO Kunimitsu ／YAMAMOTO Chizuru [email protected] [Contact Persons at Respective Companies] (Note) If you wish to contact any of the persons indicated with an asterisk(※), you may contact the Secretariat of the Kansai Keizai Doyukai to reach that person. 【Research Institute】 NAKAJIMA Junsaku, Business Development Office 【Trading】 UEDA Naomasa, Future Co-Creation Lab ATR（Advanced Telecommunications Research [email protected] Iwatani Corporation [email protected] Institute International ） 【Airlines】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko /KIZU Mitsuaki 【Insurance (Non-life insurance)】 【Osaka】TAKEGUCHI Masafumi, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. Kansai Association of Corporate Executives Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co.,Ltd. Deputy General Manager, Kansai 1 st Corporate Production Dept, [email protected] Business Development Division 【Bank】 TAKAO Sumie, [email protected] Japan Bank for International Cooperation General Manager, Business Innovation Department 【Kobe】NUNOTANI Hiroyasu, [email protected] Kobe Branch Regional Strategy Office Manager 【Policy-based financial institution】 New and Venture Business Support Promotion Division [email protected] JAPAN FINANCE CORPORATION [email protected] 【Materials/Processed Materials】 KUSABA SHUN, Senior Manager, Corporate Technology Strategy 【Other】 Director and Secretary General AIR WATER INC. Center,Business Strategy Department Japan Israel Chamber of Commerce Kansai [email protected] [email protected] 【Government Related Organization (Trade and Industry Alliances and Investment Promotion Division 【Law firm】 NISHIMURA Tsunaki, Representative of Osaka Office Investment Promotion)】 JETRO Osaka Anderson Mori & Tomotsune [email protected] JETRO（Japan External Trade Organization） [email protected] 【PATENT & TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS】 【Kobe】NAKAO Masaru, Presiding Partner 【Railway business, regional activation】 Research Group ARCO PATENT & TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS [email protected] JR West INNOVATIONS Co.,LTD [email protected] ➢ Support / advice on intellectual property management 【TV Broadcasting Company】 SAKAGUCHI Takaharu, (technical and product know-how management and rights KANSAI TELEVISION CO. LTD． Managing Director, Business Strategy Division acquisition), not on behalf of rights applications [email protected] 【Moving Business】 TANAKA Shigenori, 【University】 KITATANI Mari, ART CORPORATION Manager of Corporate Planning Department Kansai University. Division of Community and Business Partnerships [email protected] [email protected] 【Certified broadcasting holding company】Asahi (※)KAGAWA Akihiko /KIZU Mitsuaki 【law office】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko /KIZU Mitsuaki Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation Kansai Association of Corporate Executives KAWAMURA & FUJIOKA LAW OFFICE Kansai Association of Corporate Executives [email protected] [email protected] 【Manufacturing】 OIKAWA Masahiro, New Business Promotion Center, Innovation 【Manufacturing (transportation equipment and Innovation Department,Corporate Planning Division BANDO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES,LTD. Promotion Department industrial goods)】 OHDATE Hideaki [email protected] [email protected] Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. YOSHIZAWA Kodai [email protected] 【Manufacturing(air conditioning equipment)】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko /KIZU Mitsuaki 【Transportation】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko /KIZU Mitsuaki DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., Kansai Association of Corporate Executives Kintetsu Group Holdings Co., Ltd Kansai Association of Corporate Executives [email protected] [email protected] 【Advertising】 MORISHITA Shigeo, 【Hotel】 YABUTA Makoto, Director, General Affairs Division Daiko Advertising Inc. Department Manager,Business Incubation Team KOBE PORTOPIA HOTEL Co.,ltd [email protected] [email protected] 【Manufacturing(Stationery, Office furniture)】 Chairman Office 【Rea Estate，Housing，Construction，Development】 FUJII Masaaki, Manager, Corporate Strategy Planning Department KOKUYO Co.,Ltd. [email protected] DAIWA HOUSE INDUSTRY CO.,LTD [email protected] 【Manufacture and sale of hydraulic and pneumatic OTOMO Eiichi, Director, Planning Department 【Services】 UEDA Yoshihide, Business Management Office General manager equipment】 [email protected] DIGITAL ALLIANCE HOLDINGS CO.,LTD [email protected] KONAN ELECTRIC CO., LTD. 【Service Industry】 New Business Development 【Industrial machinery(Agricultural machinery, SHUTTA Katsuyuki ,ASANO Tetsuya, President’s Office DUSKIN CO., LTD. TAGAWA Shoji [email protected] etc.)】KUBOTA Coporation [email protected] SHIMOYAMA Masae [email protected] 【Services】 OKAMOTO Hirotaka, 【Community-based direct】 MIURA Takuya, LIKE, Inc. Executive Officer, Directer of Business Strategy Department FELISSIMO CORPORATION NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Div Operating Officer [email protected] [email protected] 【Logistics, Forwarding, Warehousing, Automotive】 YAMASAKI Yoshiya, Startup Division 【Dental Care】 FUKUNISHI Keihachi, Executive Director, Ph. D. MAGUCHI HOLDINGS CO.,LTD. [email protected] Fukunishi Dental &Oral Surgery Clinic [email protected] 【Wholesale Trade】 MATSUDA Koji, President 【SoftwareBusiness】 Startup Friendly desk MANIX Co., LTD. [email protected] Global Cyber Group, Inc. [email protected] 【Manufacturing(Steel pipe)】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko /KIZU Mitsuaki 【Advertising agency】 FUKUDA Kyoya, Business Design Consultant MARUICHI STEEL TUBE LTD. Kansai Association of Corporate Executives HAKUHODO Inc. [email protected] [email protected] 【Real Estate】 TSUDA Chikako /NIKAWA Kengo, Community manager 【Ship equipment wholesales】 TANABE Hiroyasu, General Manager Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. [email protected] Mayatec Co., Ltd. [email protected] 【Architect office】 IGAKI Takako, Chief Executive Officer 【Specialized manufacturer of cooked foods】 FUJII Tatsuya Healthy City Design Institute Inc. [email protected] MCC FOOD PRODUCTS CO., LTD. [email protected] 【Real Estate/ Amusement】 TODA Tatsuki, Financial Executive Officer 【Investment Advisory, Investment Management, NAKANO Shimpei, Business Investment Department Hirakawa Shoji Co., Ltd. [email protected] Type II Financial Instruments Business】Mercuria [email protected] 【Hotel】 INABA Sayuri, Corporate planning office Investment Co., Ltd. Hotel New Awaji Co., Ltd [email protected] 【Software Vendor】 TOKUHARA Hideaki, 【Hotel】 NAKAMURA Masakazu, Management Planning Micware Co., Ltd. Executive Officer, Operation Unit Hotel Okura Kobe Co., Ltd [email protected] [email protected] 【Sogoshosha (General Trading Company)】 YOSHIYAMA Satoko, 【General Trading Company】 MITSUI Michitaka, ITOCHU Corporation Kansai Research & Business Development Department Mitsubishi Corporation Deputy General Manager, Business Planning ＆ Development [email protected] Dept., Kansai Branch 【Systems Integrator】 FUJIE naohiro, General Manager [email protected] ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation [email protected]

【Manufacture and sales of electrical and electronic Kansai Branch office Marketing Research & Business development 【Textile product manufacturing and wholesale business】 TAKEUCHI Yuta, Director Sales Pepresentative products and systems】 Dep. Sewing Takeuchi Co.,Ltd [email protected] MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC Corporation [email protected] 【General contractor】 SAIKA Motoi, KANSAI Branch Staff Project Development Dept. 【Manufacturing Industry】 INOUE Koki, General Manager, Corporate Planning Division, SHIMIZU CORPORATION [email protected] Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd. [email protected] 【Trading Company】 NAKANISHI Tetsu, Executive Officer, General Manager, 【Banks】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko /KIZU Mitsuaki SHINYEI KAISHA Corporate Strategy Division Mizuho Bank, Ltd. Kansai Association of Corporate Executives [email protected] [email protected] 【Property Management and Development】 MINAMI Kaoru, Sales Manager 【Chemical manufacturer】 KANAZAWA Tomomi, SHIOYA TOCHI CO.,LTD. [email protected] MORESCO Corporation General Manager, Public Relations Department 【Software Industry】 Kenji Kugimiya, [email protected] SOPPRA Corporation General Manager IT Solution Promotion Dept. 【Banks】 NAGAYAMA Katsuhiko, Vice President [email protected] MUFG Bank, Ltd. [email protected] 【Manufacturing】 MAKINO Yuuka,Planning＆General Executive Section 【A manufacturer of bearing retainers】Nakanishi WADA Tohru, Suitousha Co., Ltd. [email protected] Metal Works Co., Ltd [email protected] 【Sogoshosha (General Trading Company)】 Okamoto Takeshi, 【Chartered accountant/Certified tax accountant 】 NAKATSUKASA Hiroyuki, President Sumitomo Corporation General Manager for External Affiars in Kansai Area Japan, Nakatsukasa Certified Public Accountants Office [email protected] Planning & Coordination Dept for Japan Region 【Transportation Business,Real Estate Business,Distribution New Business Department,Innovation Creation Division/ [email protected] Business,Leisure Services Business,Construction Business】 Planning Department, Community Development and Creation Division 【Non-Ferrous Metal】 MIYAMOTO Kojiro, Secretarial /Planning & Research Office Nankai Electric Railway Co.,Ltd. [email protected] Sumitomo Electric Industries,Ltd. [email protected] 【Banks】 TABANA Teruhisa, Regional Business Creation Division 【Insurance】 WATANABE Sho, Assistant Manager,Next Business Planning Dept. NANTO BANK,LTD [email protected] SUMITOMO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY [email protected] OHIGASHI Nobuyuki, Nanto Capital Partners Co.,Ltd Capitalist 【Banks】 OJIMA Daisuke, Growth Business Development Dept. [email protected] Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation [email protected] 【Government Related Organization】 OHKAWA Takuro, Kansai Office Deputy Director, Department of 【Trust banks】 ITO Wataru, Associate General Manager, Wholesale Business National Center for Industrial Property Enterprise Services Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Planning Department, Kansai Activation Project Team Information and Training(INPIT) [email protected] [email protected] 【Insurance】 Underwriting Group, Osaka Branch Office, 【Newspaper, digital media, events】 YAMAHIRA Shinichiro, Nippon Export and Investment Insurance [email protected] The Asahi Shimbun Company Office of the Representative, Osaka Head Office 【Insurance】 Deputy General Manager (of Innovation Office) [email protected] Nippon Life Insurance Company [email protected] 【Banks】 MAMIYA Nozomu, Corporate Planning Division, Corporate 【Telecommunications business】 Business Design Department The Bank of Kyoto，Ltd． Consulting Division, Assistant Manager NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE OZAKI Hiroshi [email protected] [email protected] WEST CORPORATION MATSUURA Katsuta [email protected] 【Non profit organization】 NISHIMOTO Satoko, Director 【Software】 MORIGUCHI Shunji, Manager, Corporate Planning Division The Consortium of Universities in Osaka [email protected] NTT DATA Corporation YAMADA Mitsuhiro, Deputy Manager, Corporate Planning Division 【Utility】 IWAMOTO Yosuke, Manager, Innovation Development Group, [email protected] The Kansai Electric Power Office of Corporate Planning 【Financial services】 Corporate Communications Department Company,Incorporated [email protected] ORIX Corporation HAYASHI Hideto [email protected] 【Newspaper】 ONO Hideaki OKU Yoshitomo [email protected] THE KOBE SHIMBUN [email protected] 【Gas utilities】 Corporate Research Office 【Regional banks】 KURAMOTO Yoshihisa OSAKA GAS CO.,LTD [email protected] The Minato Bank, Ltd. [email protected] 【University】 HIDAKA Tomonori, Officer 【General Foundation】 TAKAMORI Akira, Osaka Prefecture University [email protected] The OSAKA UNIVERSITY Research Association Executive director 【Human resource development, Event planning】 SAKAI Mari, President of Industry and Science [email protected] Peach Corporation Co.,Ltd. [email protected] 【Regional banks】 AOTA Tsuyoshi, Vice President,Relationship Promotion Division 【Design and development of control equipment / HASHIMOTO Hideki, The Senshu Ikeda Bank, Ltd. [email protected] Sensing and control technology development】 General Manager, R&D Planning Division 【Bank】 SUZUKI Hiroki, Deputy General Manager, Osaka Business Department Proassist, Ltd. [email protected] The Shoko Chukin Bank, Ltd. [email protected] 【Banks】 KAWABE Atsushi, Group leader 【Comprehensive IT service】 MIWA Akisato, Section Manager of Western Japan Technology & Resona Bank,Ltd. [email protected] TIS Inc. Innovation Office 【Manufacture and sales of delicatessen （sozai）】 AMANO Masaru, Manager, Public Relations Section [email protected] Rock Field Co., Ltd. [email protected] 【Entertainment】 External Affairs Dep. 【Shipbuilding & Engineering】 NAKAJIMA Masaki, Director (Corporate Planning Dept.) USJ LCC FUKUSHIMA Hidenori [email protected] Sanoyas Holdings Corporation [email protected] MAEDA Naomi [email protected] 【PAPER PRODUCT TRADING】 TANAKA Satoshi, SALES DIRECTOR 【Corporate Real Estate】 GOKURAKUJI Kenji,Kobe reagional office, General manager SEIBUNSHA Co., Ltd. [email protected] XYMAX KANSAI Corporation [email protected]