Koike Says Weak Yen Gives Tokyo Startups an Edge as City Ranks 12th Globally
Updated
Updated · The Japan Times · Jul 21
Koike Says Weak Yen Gives Tokyo Startups an Edge as City Ranks 12th Globally
2 articles · Updated · The Japan Times · Jul 21
Summary
Yuriko Koike said a yen near a 40-year low helps foreign startups and investors in Tokyo hire highly skilled workers at relatively low cost.
In New York, the governor framed that currency weakness as a business advantage for overseas entrants, even as it cuts the overseas purchasing power of Japan-based entrepreneurs.
Tokyo is pitching that cost edge alongside stability, rule of law and free speech as it tries to attract foreign talent and companies through startup hubs, multilingual support and more international schools.
The push comes as Tokyo seeks to become the world's most startup-friendly city, though Startup Genome's 2026 ranking placed it 12th behind Beijing, Singapore, Seoul and Shanghai.
Koike also downplayed concern over tighter national business-management visa rules, saying they should not hinder finance professionals with technical expertise and that Tokyo can raise startup obstacles with the central government.