Tokyo, Japan – Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. will host four strategic Global Sessions at the Hyper-Interdisciplinary Conference Tokyo 2026 (HIC Tokyo 2026), bringing together more than 15 companies and government representatives from six countries.

As Japan stands at a critical intersection of global collaboration, these sessions will explore both Inbound Globalization into Japan and Outbound Expansion from Japan to Southeast Asia, positioning HIC Tokyo 2026 as a key platform for cross-border innovation partnerships.

Conference website:
https://hic.lne.st/schedule/tokyo2026/

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The Current State of Inbound Globalization to Japan

Japan possesses a historically rich industrial structure, world-class manufacturing capabilities, and a domestic market of over 100 million people. Coupled with the recent depreciation of the yen, Japan is increasingly viewed as an attractive and strategic destination for overseas companies seeking collaboration, technological integration, and market entry.

Today, forward-looking global players are not only entering Japan as a market, but also leveraging Japan’s advanced R&D ecosystem and monozukuri (manufacturing craftsmanship) capabilities as a launchpad to expand further into the global arena.

The first half of the Global Sessions (Sessions ① and ②) will focus on this new phase of inbound globalization — examining how overseas companies can come to Japan, collaborate with Japanese corporations and research institutions, and co-create innovations that scale worldwide.

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The Potential of Outbound Expansion from Japan to Southeast Asia

Since 2016, Leave a Nest has expanded its TECH PLANTER platform across Southeast Asia, nurturing nearly 2,000 deep-tech ventures throughout the region. These startups are tackling locally rooted challenges in areas such as sustainability, biotechnology, agriculture, and environmental resilience.

As Southeast Asia faces region-specific environmental and social issues, collaboration with Japanese corporations and startups — particularly those with strong technological foundations — presents a powerful opportunity. By combining Japanese technological strengths with Southeast Asia’s biodiversity and environmental resources, new Nature-Positive businesses can emerge.

The latter half of the Global Sessions (Sessions ③ and ④) will explore how Japanese innovators can expand into Southeast Asia, build strategic partnerships, and contribute to sustainable growth across the region.

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Overview of the Four Global Sessions

Session ①

Inbound Globalization: A Survival Strategy for Japan
https://lne.st/2026/03/01/hictokyo2026_gia/

Session Room B, 13:30-14:40 6th March 2026
Session Partner: Global Innovation Alliance

Asian startups are increasingly accelerating their expansion into Japan. With support from government agencies providing additional momentum, the Japanese market is once again in the global spotlight. In this session, we will be joined by startups from Singapore and Thailand that are exploring business collaborations with Japanese companies. Drawing on their firsthand experiences of entering Japan, engaging in dialogue, and conducting proof-of-concept trials, they will share the real communication barriers they encountered and the practical strategies they used to move partnerships forward. Together, we will examine inbound globalization strategies that can help Japanese companies remain competitive and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

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Session ②

A New Era in Material Synthesis
https://lne.st/2026/02/28/hictokyo2026_am/

Session Room B, 13:30-14:40 6th March 2026
Session Partner: Accelerated Materials Co., Ltd. 

In the field of materials, which forms the foundation of industry, academia-born startups are taking the lead both domestically and internationally, and technologies that surpass conventional limitations are beginning to emerge. In this session, a UK startup that has developed a nanomaterial synthesis system based on novel concepts distinct from traditional methods and leverages AI to optimize synthesis and production conditions, together with a US startup that is redefining conventional synthesis processes through the integration of electrochemistry and organic synthesis, will come together to discuss the new value that cross-border collaboration can bring to materials development.

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Session ③

Nature Positive Innovation Enabled by Bio-Upcycling
https://lne.st/2026/02/24/hictokyo2026_bioupcycle/

Session Room B, 15:50-16:40 6th March 2026
Session Partner: Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.

The challenges we face—climate change, resource depletion, and the fragility of food systems—cannot be solved by any single technology alone. In this session, we will welcome three bio-upcycling ventures from Southeast Asia that have advanced through Leave a Nest’s Tech Planter program and are visiting Japan. Each company is tackling critical challenges by leveraging the region’s unique environmental characteristics. Together, we will explore how integrating Southeast Asia’s distinctive natural environments with Japan’s technological strengths can generate new Nature-Positive innovations.

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Session ④

TECH PLANTER World Communication -Go to Asia Final-https://lne.st/2025/11/18/hictokyo2026_tpwc/

Session Room B, 17:00-18:00 6th March 2026
Session Partner: Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.

Ten 10 Japanese teams that have advanced through the TECH PLANTER program will pitch their technologies and business strategies with the goal of expanding into Southeast Asia. They will compete for the opportunity to participate in the TECH PLANTER ASIA FINAL scheduled for August next year, showcasing Japan-originated deep-tech solutions ready for regional deployment.

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About Hyper-Interdisciplinary Conference Tokyo 2026

The Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference Tokyo 2026 serves as a global platform connecting researchers, startups, corporations, government agencies, and investors across disciplines and borders. By convening international stakeholders from six countries, the event aims to accelerate innovation through strategic partnerships that transcend geography and industry.

For more details about the conference and sessions:
https://hic.lne.st/schedule/tokyo2026/

<Please contact us!>
[email protected] / Leave a Nest Co. Ltd., Research Development Division, Dr. Takumi Jindo