My main research interests lie in entrepreneurship and organization theory. Specifically, I examine innovative, growth-oriented start-ups – often supported by venture capital – as well as the ecosystems that sustain them. I focus on how governments, universities, investors, other supporters, as well as entrepreneurs and employees themselves shape the environments that foster the creation and growth of high-potential start-ups. 

These interests led me to study the development of Japan’s start-up ecosystem(s), which evolved within a business environment traditionally dominated by large corporations.

In one of the research projects, together with a co-author we trace the development of ICT start-ups in Tokyo from the 1990s onward, exploring how entrepreneurs navigated established institutional structures. While some took a confrontational approach towards incumbents, others pursued growth by working within the systems and building relationships with major firms. Our research shows how Tokyo’s start-up ecosystem gradually matured, creating conditions for meaningful collaboration between start-ups and large corporations. While such cooperation was limited in the early stages, it became increasingly important as the ecosystem developed. Today, there is growing hope that stronger collaboration between start-ups and established firms will drive further innovation and contribute to economic development in Japan.

My research draws on organization theory, which provides a useful framework for studying entrepreneurship in a systematic manner by examining how institutions, organizations, and wider social environments shape entrepreneurial activity – and how people’s actions shape those structures in return. For instance, organization theory helps explain how individuals and organizations create, maintain, or challenge existing institutional arrangements. By providing a strong theoretical foundation and guiding research design, this approach uncovers underlying dynamics within entrepreneurial ecosystems, offering deeper insights that go beyond surface-level observations.

As for research methods, I primarily adopt qualitative methods rather than quantitative approaches. Fieldwork plays a central role, especially semi-structured interviews, which are complemented by participant observation to triangulate findings. Documentary sources — such as newspapers, books, and online materials — also support the analysis. After collecting data, I systematically code and analyze it to identify patterns and develop theoretical insights.

Comparing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems across Different Cities and Countries

Much of my work involves comparative research. At the city level, I conducted a comparative study of Tokyo and Bangalore, which represent contrasting types of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Tokyo’s ecosystem is more domestically oriented, while Bangalore’s is more transnational. The two cases also differ significantly in the dynamics of their development. Based on this comparison I developed the beginnings of a new framework I call “Varieties of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems,” which offers a more context-sensitive way of comparing ecosystems.

Another project was on the start-up ecosystems within Japan, comparing Fukuoka with Osaka and Kyoto to understand how smaller regional ecosystems develop in the shadow of Tokyo, the country’s dominant entrepreneurial hub.

I also participate in an international research group that investigates start-up entrepreneurship in Japan, South Korea, and China. This collaboration resulted in the open-access book Unleashing Innovation the East Asian Way: Startup Ecosystems in Japan, South Korea and China. The group also studies topics such as the internationalization of start-ups in East Asia, including the barriers to internationalization.

More broadly, I find it useful to distinguish two dimensions of internationalization: outward and inward. The outward dimension includes access to international investment and networks, and also depends on entrepreneurs’ ability to collaborate across borders and launch operations abroad. In this regard, study-abroad programs can play a valuable role in cultivating globally oriented human capital. The inward dimension concerns a country’s ability and willingness to attract foreign entrepreneurs. In Japan, policymakers have attempted to strengthen the start-up ecosystem and its international connections through measures such as expanding start-up visa programs. However, recent changes to immigration and business manager visa requirements may have created additional barriers for foreign entrepreneurs, raising questions about how policy can most effectively support start-up internationalization. 

Impact of Entrepreneurship on Societies, Economic Development, and Job Creation

While many of my research projects analyze how entrepreneurial ecosystems develop across different contexts, I also focus on the broader societal consequences of entrepreneurship. For example, in a project focused on start-up outcomes conducted with colleagues in Europe, we challenge the common belief that nine out of ten start-ups fail. Using Polish data, we found that survival rates are often higher than assumed and that start-up outcomes are more varied than a simple success-or-failure dichotomy suggests. More generally, widely cited failure rates often relate to investors’ expectations of high returns rather than the actual survival of firms.

Both my individual and collaborative research projects often highlight that comparisons with Silicon Valley can be misleading, as entrepreneurial ecosystems differ in their cultural, institutional, and economic contexts, as well as in their stages of development. More context-sensitive comparisons are therefore necessary to capture this diversity and to assess ecosystems more accurately.

In my research about entrepreneurship, I am interested in the perspective called “reversing the arrow.” While much research focuses on how society and institutions shape entrepreneurship, I would also like to examine the reverse: how entrepreneurship shapes society and institutions. In particular, I am interested in the quality of jobs created by start-ups and their broader impact on society and economic development. 

Policymakers often promote entrepreneurship because it is expected to generate economic growth and create jobs, but less attention is paid to the nature of those jobs and the broader social consequences. Preliminary findings from a cross-disciplinary literature review that I am working on with a co-author suggest that these effects can be complex. To further explore this research topic, I plan to conduct new semi-structured interviews in Japan and potentially in other countries.

Japan – known for its large corporations – provides an important setting for exploring these issues. One of the questions underlying my research interests is whether the promotion of start-ups reinforces a neoliberal, shareholder-oriented model of capitalism or contributes to a more people-centered form of economic development. By examining the quality of work created by start-ups across different contexts, I hope to better understand how entrepreneurship influences society and the economy, including aspects such as employee well-being, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

The book I recommend

“Bullshit Jobs: The Rise of Pointless Work, and What We Can Do About It”
By David Graeber, Published by Penguin Books Ltd

Written by an influential anthropologist, this book – with a provocative title – encourages readers to reflect on the value, quality, and future of work. Accessible and engaging, it is suitable for students and people at different stages of their careers. I use it for my class discussions because it prompts people to think critically about the work they do, or plan to do.

Interviewed: June 2026