oung Chinese entrepreneurs and others with family roots in China are becoming increasingly active participants in Japan’s startup sector, leveraging Japanese manufacturing skills alongside their social connections in the greater China region to start new businesses and drive innovation.
The trend is being fueled by increased support for entrepreneurs through the hosting of startup business contests amid a rise in Chinese people deciding to launch companies in Japan, where they have developed strong relationships and gained experience from studying while avoiding stiff competition back in China.
Sun Xiaojun, the 35-year-old president of BionicM Inc, is one such entrepreneur. His Tokyo-based company manufactures high-tech prosthetic legs that enable power-generated movement and control through humanoid robotics technology. “A lot of Japanese technologies have been incorporated into this artificial leg,” he said.
Sun had his leg amputated at the age of 9 after suffering from bone cancer and wears a prosthesis himself. He came to Japan as an exchange student and founded his company in 2018 after working at several firms.
BionicM produces the main body of their prosthesis in China but procures semiconductors and other precision components in Japan. The product is the result of working together with his Japanese team to develop the project through rigorous testing. “Japanese people’s pursuit of quality is amazing,” he said.
Their product was designed with the aim of making a prosthetic leg that their customers would feel proud to show off. “Just like how Tesla has changed the world with electric vehicles, we want to change popular perceptions of artificial legs,” said Sun, adding that the firm is also eyeing a move into the U.S. market.
Source : Japan Today
