[One Week Left] Info Session for ASEAN/Mekong Expansion Support Program for Japanese Startups & SMEs - Featuring METI, JETRO, and Successful Entrepreneurs
Mitsubishi Research Institute and Kepple will hold a free hybrid info session on April 21 to support Japanese startups and SMEs entering the ASEAN and Mekong regions, featuring speakers from government agencies and successful founders.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 01:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 16:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 14:54 (118h 22m after Collected)
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, hereinafter MRI) and Kepple Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo) will hold an information session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, to support Japanese startups and SMEs in expanding into the ASEAN and Mekong regions.
Apply here: https://mri-kepple-20260421.peatix.com/
This event will invite representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Innovation and Environment Bureau, New Business Promotion Office for Innovation Creation), the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency (Business Support Department, Overseas Business Support Office), JETRO, and startup entrepreneurs who have successfully expanded into ASEAN. Joined by MRIV International (MRI's Vietnamese subsidiary), we will disseminate information on expansion opportunities into the Mekong region—which is expected to see particularly high growth within ASEAN—and specific support programs.
■ Event Overview
Event Name: ASEAN/Mekong Expansion Support Program Information Session
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 16:00 - 18:00
Format: Hybrid (Offline / Online)
Venue: Tokyo Venture Capital Hub (Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B 5F)
Participation Fee: Free
Capacity: 30 companies (On-site) *No limit for online
▼ Apply here (Peatix)
https://mri-kepple-20260421.peatix.com/
Organizers: Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. / Kepple Inc.
■ Program (Tentative)
- Opening
- Keynote Speech
'Overview and Business Opportunities in the ASEAN Market'
Speaker:
- Mr. Ryosuke Ogata (General Director, Mitsubishi Research Institute Vietnam)
- Expansion Support Program Explanation
- Panel Discussion
'Success Factors for Japanese Startups and SMEs Expanding into ASEAN'
Speakers:
- Mr. Yutaka Yasunaga (Director of Innovation, JETRO Hanoi Office)
- Mr. Takaya Nakamichi (President & CEO, AGRI SMILE Inc.)
- Mr. Takeharu Mizukoshi (Chairman, Forval Cambodia)
- Mr. Yuto Yabumoto (Representative of Laos Office, One Asia Lawyers Group)
- Networking (Planned)
* The contents are subject to partial changes.
* If there are many applications for offline participation, it will be limited to 2 people per company, and other participants will be guided to join online.
■ What You Will Gain from This Event
- Real market understanding of the ASEAN and Mekong regions
- Concrete steps for business expansion into these regions
- Details of the expansion support program
- Judging criteria regarding local specific needs and your company's potential
Additionally, we plan to provide opportunities for companies participating in this event to join future seminars and the expansion support program.
■ Target Audience
- Startups and SMEs actively considering business expansion into Global South countries
- Those in charge of new business and business development
- Those interested in the ASEAN market but unsure about the concrete steps
- Executives looking for the next growth market
■ Future Developments
After this information session, we will confirm the intention to expand through a questionnaire to participating companies and proceed with selecting target companies. Subsequently, we plan to support the execution of specific Mekong region expansion through additional seminars and individual support.
■ Organizer Overview
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
A comprehensive think tank in the fields of policy, economy, and industry.
Kepple Inc.
Promotes various businesses to contribute to the development of the startup ecosystem.
▼ Participation Application (Free)
https://mri-kepple-20260421.peatix.com/
About Kepple Inc.
Under the mission of 'Create New Industries', Kepple promotes various businesses to contribute to the development of the startup ecosystem. They provide 'M&A Support' offering new growth opportunities for both startups and operating companies, 'Open Innovation Support' comprehensively backing co-creation between enterprises and startups, 'Startup Support' aiding in recruitment for startups, and 'Fund Management Support' assisting with broad middle-back operations for funds.
Apply here: https://mri-kepple-20260421.peatix.com/
This event will invite representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Innovation and Environment Bureau, New Business Promotion Office for Innovation Creation), the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency (Business Support Department, Overseas Business Support Office), JETRO, and startup entrepreneurs who have successfully expanded into ASEAN. Joined by MRIV International (MRI's Vietnamese subsidiary), we will disseminate information on expansion opportunities into the Mekong region—which is expected to see particularly high growth within ASEAN—and specific support programs.
■ Event Overview
Event Name: ASEAN/Mekong Expansion Support Program Information Session
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 16:00 - 18:00
Format: Hybrid (Offline / Online)
Venue: Tokyo Venture Capital Hub (Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B 5F)
Participation Fee: Free
Capacity: 30 companies (On-site) *No limit for online
▼ Apply here (Peatix)
https://mri-kepple-20260421.peatix.com/
Organizers: Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. / Kepple Inc.
■ Program (Tentative)
- Opening
- Keynote Speech
'Overview and Business Opportunities in the ASEAN Market'
Speaker:
- Mr. Ryosuke Ogata (General Director, Mitsubishi Research Institute Vietnam)
- Expansion Support Program Explanation
- Panel Discussion
'Success Factors for Japanese Startups and SMEs Expanding into ASEAN'
Speakers:
- Mr. Yutaka Yasunaga (Director of Innovation, JETRO Hanoi Office)
- Mr. Takaya Nakamichi (President & CEO, AGRI SMILE Inc.)
- Mr. Takeharu Mizukoshi (Chairman, Forval Cambodia)
- Mr. Yuto Yabumoto (Representative of Laos Office, One Asia Lawyers Group)
- Networking (Planned)
* The contents are subject to partial changes.
* If there are many applications for offline participation, it will be limited to 2 people per company, and other participants will be guided to join online.
■ What You Will Gain from This Event
- Real market understanding of the ASEAN and Mekong regions
- Concrete steps for business expansion into these regions
- Details of the expansion support program
- Judging criteria regarding local specific needs and your company's potential
Additionally, we plan to provide opportunities for companies participating in this event to join future seminars and the expansion support program.
■ Target Audience
- Startups and SMEs actively considering business expansion into Global South countries
- Those in charge of new business and business development
- Those interested in the ASEAN market but unsure about the concrete steps
- Executives looking for the next growth market
■ Future Developments
After this information session, we will confirm the intention to expand through a questionnaire to participating companies and proceed with selecting target companies. Subsequently, we plan to support the execution of specific Mekong region expansion through additional seminars and individual support.
■ Organizer Overview
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
A comprehensive think tank in the fields of policy, economy, and industry.
Kepple Inc.
Promotes various businesses to contribute to the development of the startup ecosystem.
▼ Participation Application (Free)
https://mri-kepple-20260421.peatix.com/
About Kepple Inc.
Under the mission of 'Create New Industries', Kepple promotes various businesses to contribute to the development of the startup ecosystem. They provide 'M&A Support' offering new growth opportunities for both startups and operating companies, 'Open Innovation Support' comprehensively backing co-creation between enterprises and startups, 'Startup Support' aiding in recruitment for startups, and 'Fund Management Support' assisting with broad middle-back operations for funds.