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” cult ure, 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 , manufacturing, IT firms, and infrastructure-building. You are encouraged to actively use the opportunities offered under the bolstered system.

[Supporting Companies as of October 16 , 2020](in alphabetical order) Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR)/Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co., Ltd./Anderson Mori & Tomotsune./ART CORPORATION/Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation/ INDUSTRIES, LTD.,/Daiko Advertising Inc./DAIWA INDUSTRY CO.,LTD/ Fukunishi Dental &Oral Surgery Clinic /Global Cyber Group Co ., Ltd/HAKUHODO Inc./Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp./Healthy City Design Institute Co.,Ltd. /Hirakawa Shoji Co., Ltd./ Corporation./ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation/Iwatani Corporation/ Airlines Co., Ltd./Japan Bank for International Cooperation/Japan External Trade Organization/Japan Finance Corporation/JR West INNOVATIONS Co.,LTD/Kansai University./ KAWAMURA & FUJIOKA LAW OFFICE /Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. /Kintetsu Group Holdings Co.,Ltd. /KOKUYO Co.,Ltd./LIKE Co., Ltd./MARUICHI STEEL TUBE LTD./ Mercuria Investment Co., Ltd./ /Mizuho Bank, Ltd./MUFG Bank, Ltd./Nakanishi Metal/Nakatsukasa Certified Public Accountants Office /Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd./NANTO BANK,LTD/National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training/Nippon Export and Investment Insurance/Nippon Life Insurance Company/NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE WEST CORPORATION/NTT DATA Corporation/ Corporation/ GAS CO.,LTD/Osaka Prefecture University/Peach Corporation Co.,Ltd. /Proassist, Ltd./Resona Bank, Limited/Sanoyas Holding Corporation/ /SOPPRA CORPORATION//Sumitomo Electric Industries,Ltd./ INSURANCE COMPANY/Sumitomo Banking Corporation/The Bank of ，Ltd/The Consortium of Universities in Osaka /The Kansai Electric Power Company, Incorporated/The OSAKA UNIVERSITY Research Association of Industry and Science/The Senshu Ikeda Bank, Ltd.,/TIS Inc.（61companies in total）

[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). • Please note that the list of supporting companies is as of October 16, 2020. Any addition will be put on the website of the Association. (The list will be updated about once a

month.)（URL https://www.kansaidoyukai.or.jp/event/%e3%80%8c%e9%96%a2%e8%a5%bf%e3%83%99%e3%83%b3%e3%83%81%e3%83%a3%e3%83%bc%e3%83%95%e3%83%ac%e3%83%b3%e3%83%89%e3%83%aa%e3%83%bc%e5%ae%a3%e8%a8%80%e3%80%8d%e3%82%92%e7%99%ba%e8%a1%a8/）

[Contact info for inquiries] KAGAWA Akihiko(Mr.)/ KIZU Mitsuaki(Mr.), Planning and Research Department, Kansai Association of Corporate Executives：[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(Mr.) 【Trading】 [email protected] ATR （Advanced Telecommunications Research Business Development Office Iwatani Corporation Institute International ） [email protected] 【Airlines】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko(Mr.) /KIZU Mitsuaki(Mr.) 【Insurance (Non-life insurance)】 Masafumi Takeguchi(Mr.) Co., Ltd. Planning and Research Department Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co.,Ltd. Deputy General Manager,Kansai 1 st Corporate Kansai Association of Corporate Executives Production Dept.Business Development Division [email protected] [email protected] 【Bank】 TAKAO Sumie(Ms.) 【Law firm】 Tsunaki Nishimura(Mr.) Japan Bank for International Cooperation General Manager, Business Innovation Department Anderson Mori & Tomotsune Representative of Osaka Office [email protected] [email protected] 【Government Related Organization (Trade and Investment Promotion)】 Matt Stephens(Mr.) 【Moving Business】 Shigenori Tanaka(Mr.) JETRO（Japan External Trade Organization） Director, Industry Alliances and Investment Promotion ART CORPORATION Manager of Corporate Planning Department [email protected] [email protected] 【Policy-based financial institution】 New and Venture Business Support Promotion Division 【Certified broadcasting holding company】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko(Mr.) /KIZU Mitsuaki(Mr.) JAPAN FINANCE CORPORATION [email protected] Asahi Broadcasting Group Holdings Corporation Planning and Research Department 【Railway business, regional activation】 Research Group Kansai Association of Corporate Executives JR West INNOVATIONS Co.,LTD [email protected] [email protected] 【University】 KITATANI Mari(Ms.) 【Manufacturing(air conditioning equipment)】 OKADA Mitsumasa(Mr.), YASUI Shunsuke(Mr.) Kansai University. Division of Community and Business Partnerships DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., CVC Office, Technology and Innovation Center [email protected] [email protected] 【Law office】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko(Mr.) /KIZU Mitsuaki(Mr.) 【Advertising】 YOSHIHARA Tatsuya(Mr.), Department Manager KAWAMURA & FUJIOKA LAW OFFICE Planning and Research Department Daiko Advertising Inc. [email protected] Kansai Association of Corporate Executives 【Real Estate，Housing，Construction，Development】 FUJII Masaaki(Mr.) [email protected] INDUSTRY CO.,LTD Manager, Corporate Strategy Planning Department 【Manufacturing (transportation equipment and industrial goods)】 ARATAMA Shigeki(Mr), Deputy Senior Manager, [email protected] Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. Innovation Dept., Corporate Planning Div. 【Dental Care】 FUKUNISHI Keihachi (Mr.), Executive Director, Ph. D. [email protected] Fukunishi Dental &Oral Surgery Clinic [email protected] 【Transportation】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko(Mr.) /KIZU Mitsuaki(Mr.) 【SoftwareBusiness】 Startup Friendly desk Kintetsu Group Holdings Co., Ltd Planning and Research Department Global Cyber Group, Inc. [email protected] Kansai Association of Corporate Executives 【Advertising agency】 FUKUDA Kyoya(Mr.), Business Design Consultant [email protected] HAKUHODO Inc. [email protected] 【Manufacturing(Stationery, Office furniture)】 Chairman Office 【Real Estate】 TSUDA Chikako(Ms.) /NIKAWA Kengo(Mr.) KOKUYO Co.,Ltd. [email protected] Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. Community manager 【Services】 MURANISHI Shino(Ms.), Manager [email protected] LIKE, Inc. [email protected] 【Architect office】 IGAKI Takako(Ms.), Chief Executive Officer 【Manufacturing(Steel pipe)】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko(Mr.) /KIZU Mitsuaki(Mr.) Healthy City Design Institute Inc. [email protected] MARUICHI STEEL TUBE LTD. Planning and Research Department 【Real Estate/ Amusement】 TODA Tatsuki (Mr.), Chief Financial Officer Kansai Association of Corporate Executives Hirakawa Shoji Co., Ltd. [email protected] [email protected] 【Sogoshosha (General Trading Company)】 MIYAHARA Mariko (Ms.) 【Investment Advisory, Investment Management, NAKANO Shimpei（Mr.）, ITOCHU Corporation Kansai Research & Business Development Department Type II Financial Instruments Business】 Business Investment Department [email protected] Mercuria Investment Co., Ltd. [email protected] 【Systems Integrator】 FUJIE naohiro (Mr.), General Manager 【Sogoshosha (General Trading Company)】 ASANO Junji(Mr.), Deputy General Manager, ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation [email protected] Mitsubishi Corporation Business Planning＆Development Dept., Kansai Branch UEDA Naomasa (Mr.), Future Co-Creation Lab [email protected] 【Banks】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko(Mr.) /KIZU Mitsuaki(Mr.) 【Design and development of control equipment/ HASHIMOTO Hideki(Mr.) Mizuho Bank, Ltd. Planning and Research Department Sensing and control technology development】 R&D Planning Dept, Manager Kansai Association of Corporate Executives Proassist, Ltd. [email protected] [email protected] 【Banks】 KAWABE Atsushi(Mr.), Group leader 【Banks】 NAGAYAMA Katsuhiko (Mr), Vice President Resona Bank,Ltd. [email protected] MUFG Bank, Ltd. [email protected] 【Shipbuilding & Engineering】 NAKAJIMA Masaki(Mr.) 【A manufacturer of bearing retainers】 NARA Yusuke (Mr.), Research & Development Sanoyas Holdings Corporation Director (Corporate Planning Dept.) Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd Research & Development Department, New [email protected] Business Division [email protected] 【General contractor】 SAIKA Motoki（Mr.） 【Certified public accountant/Certified tax accountant】 NAKATSUKASA Hiroyuki(Mr.), President SHIMIZU CORPORATION KANSAI Branch Staff Project Development Dept. Nakatsukasa Certified Public Accountants Office [email protected] [email protected] 【Transportation Business, Real Estate Business, Distribution Railway Area Value Creation Department・ 【Software Industry】 KUGIMIYA Kenji(Mr.) Business, Leisure Services Business,Construction Business】 New Business Department SOPPRA Corporation General Manager IT Solution Promotion Dept. Nankai Electric Railway Co.,Ltd. [email protected] [email protected] 【Regional banks】 KAIMOTO Tadahiko(Mr.), Chief, Venture Capital 【Sogoshosha (General Trading Company)】 YOSHITAKE Yoshiaki(Mr.) NANTO BANK,LTD Kansai Area, Sales Department Sumitomo Corporation General Manager for External Affairs in Kansai Area, [email protected] Japan, Planning & Coordination Dept. for Japan Region 【Government Related Organization】 OHKAWA Takuro(Mr.), Kansai Office Deputy [email protected] INPIT（National Center for Industrial Director, Department of Enterprise Services 【Non-Ferrous Metal】 MIYAMOTO Kojiro(Mr.) Property Information and Training） [email protected] Sumitomo Electric Industries,Ltd. Secretarial/Planning & Research Office 【Insurance】 Underwriting Group, Osaka Branch Office, [email protected] Nippon Export and Investment Insurance [email protected] 【Insurance】 WATANABE Sho(Mr.) 【Insurance】 (※)KAGAWA Akihiko(Mr.) /KIZU Mitsuaki(Mr.) SUMITOMO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY Assistant Manager Next Business Planning Dept. Nippon Life Insurance Company Planning and Research Department [email protected] Kansai Association of Corporate Executives 【Banks】 ARAKAWA Shinji(Mr.) [email protected] Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Growth Business Development Dept. 【Telecommunications business】 OZAKI Hiroshi(Mr.)/MATSUURA Katsuta(Mr.) [email protected] NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND Business Design Department 【Banks】 MAMIYA Nozomu(Mr.) TELEPHONE WEST CORPORATION [email protected]/[email protected] The Bank of Kyoto，Ltd Corporate Planning Division, Corporate Consulting 【Software】 YAMADA Mitsuhiro（Mr.) Deputy Manager, Division, Assistant Manager NTT DATA Corporation YOSHIDA Satomi（Ms.）Staff, [email protected] Sales Promotion Section, Corporate Planning Division 【NPO】 NISHIMOTO Satoko(Ms.), Director [email protected] The Consortium of Universities in Osaka [email protected] 【Financial services】 HAYASHI Hideto(Mr.) 【Utility】 IWAMOTO Yosuke(Mr.), Manager, Innovation ORIX Corporation Corporate Communications Department The Kansai Electric Power Company,Incorporated Development Group, Office of Corporate Planning [email protected] [email protected] 【Gas utilities】 Corporate Research Office, 【General Foundation】 TAKAMORI Akira(Mr.), Executive director CO.,LTD [email protected] The OSAKA UNIVERSITY Research [email protected] Association of Industry and Science 【University】 HIDAKA Tomonori(Mr.), Officer 【Regional banks】 AOTA Tsuyoshi(Mr.), Vice President, Osaka Prefecture University [email protected] The Senshu Ikeda Bank, Ltd. Relationship Promotion Division 【Human resource development/Event planning】 SAKAI Mari(Ms.) , President [email protected] Peach Corporation Co.,Ltd. [email protected] 【Comprehensive IT service】 MIWA Akisato(Mr.), Section Manager of Western TIS Inc. Japan Technology & Innovation Office [email protected]