Tokyo-based global media agency Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting Inc. (PBMC) is excited to announce that its CEO, Toshi Maeda, has been appointed as the co-representative of the Startup Island TAIWAN Tokyo Hub. Launched in September, the Tokyo Hub is the inaugural international branch of Startup Island TAIWAN, a startup support initiative backed by Taiwan's National Development Council.
The Tokyo Hub serves as a critical link in fostering innovation and economic growth by supporting startups and businesses in both Taiwan and Japan. As Taiwan's first international startup support office, the hub's mission is to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystems of both countries through various initiatives. It assists Taiwanese startups seeking to expand into the Japanese market and offers guidance to Japanese companies interested in entering Taiwan.
By leveraging its Tokyo presence, the hub aims to provide strategic resources, networking opportunities, and local support to entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of cross-border expansion.
Looking beyond Japan, Startup Island TAIWAN plans to continue its international outreach, with a new office set to open in Silicon Valley in January 2025. Future expansions into Southeast Asia are also on the horizon, all designed to establish a robust global network that propels Taiwanese startups into international markets and strengthens cross-regional collaboration.
Toshi Maeda, CEO of PBMC Commented, "Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting has been supporting Startup Island TAIWAN in various ways, such as through our media platform J-Stories, which was selected as a media partner for the 2024 Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit held in Tokyo this September. We also created a dedicated page to promote the summit.
"I understand that my appointment as co-representative is a recognition of our ongoing support for Startup Island TAIWAN, and I am deeply honored. I look forward to continuing to support bilateral business development between Japan and Taiwan, such as helping Taiwanese startups expand into Japan and assisting Japanese companies entering Taiwan. I hope to contribute to the economic growth of both countries and the creation of innovative businesses".
Amanda Liu, Managing Director of Startup Island TAIWAN said, "Known as a tech island, Taiwan has a strong advantage in supply chains, particularly in semiconductors. Additionally, Taiwan has a long history of success in original equipment manufacturing (OEM) business and is skilled in forming close partnerships with other countries and companies. Japan, on the other hand, has a solid reputation and reliable technological expertise built over decades in the manufacturing industry. Given the similarities in our industrial structures, I believe there are many complementary aspects between our two nations.
As the executive editor of J-Stories, which focuses on startups in Japan and Asia, Mr. Maeda has extensive knowledge and experience in supporting startup communities. I am very confident in his leadership as a co-representative in Japan.
"Going forward, with the establishment of the Startup Island TAIWAN Tokyo Hub, we aim to build long-term collaborations in the Japanese market and win the trust of local partners".