(Joint Release) Japan Airlines Ventures Joins Silicon Valley-Born CVC Community "Counter Club Japan"

April 23, 2026

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

Japan Airlines Ventures, Inc.

Japan Airlines Ventures, Inc. (CEO: Masato Kunesaki, hereinafter "JALV") (*1), a wholly-owned investment company of JAL, has joined "Counter Club Japan" (hereinafter "CCJ"), a community for CVC and new business professionals operated by Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Counterpart Ventures. Additionally, Shigeru Matsuzaki, Managing Partner of JALV, has been selected as one of CCJ's founding ambassadors (*2).

(From left) Shigeru Matsuzaki, Japan Airlines Ventures; Yusuke Saijo, Counterpart Ventures

As the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of the JAL Group, JALV actively invests in "frontier areas" that explore the future of the aviation industry, based on core areas such as aviation, miles, and environment, as well as next-generation mobility. JALV aims to achieve JAL's long-term growth and social transformation (*3).

The purpose of joining CCJ is to contribute JALV's CVC expertise and global network to the community, and to help resolve innovation challenges faced by Japanese companies (such as information gaps regarding global trends, uneven distribution of CVC operational know-how, and complex decision-making processes). Simultaneously, by leveraging the new CVC network and cutting-edge knowledge gained through CCJ participation, JAL Group aims to further accelerate new business creation and existing business transformation, while playing a part in the overall development of Japan's innovation ecosystem.

JAL and JALV will continue to challenge the creation of new value that contributes to the future global society through co-creation with companies worldwide.

(*1) JALV Official Website: https://japanairlinesventures.com/

(*2) Counter Club Japan Press Release: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000004.000179654.html

(*3) March 3, 2026 Press Release | JAL Establishes New Self-Operated CVC Fund "JAL Innovation Fund II" https://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/202603/009383.html

[Overview of Counter Club Japan]

CCJ was soft-launched in February 2026 as the Japan base of "Counter Club," a global network comprising 750 CVCs and over 1,700 capitalists worldwide. It is rapidly growing as a platform for Japanese CVC and new business professionals to share practical experience and knowledge, promoting practical collaboration and co-creation, with over 300 registered members. URL: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000179654.html

Comments on Appointment as Ambassador

Shigeru Matsuzaki, Managing Partner, Japan Airlines Ventures

"Those gathered here are not defined by their titles, but by their indomitable will to 'change the world from Japan.' I look forward to working with everyone at CCJ to create a new trend in Japanese CVC, contribute to solving innovation challenges faced by Japanese companies, and further enrich and invigorate Japan's innovation ecosystem."

Yusuke Saijo, Co-founder, Counterpart Ventures

"We are delighted to welcome Japan Airlines Ventures, which is expanding its CVC activities globally, as a CCJ member and ambassador. We look forward to them sharing their practical experience in CVC planning and execution as case studies. I am confident that sharing Mr. Matsuzaki's past initiatives and the passion that drives them will be a valuable learning opportunity for CCJ. Through CCJ, we aim to contribute to the evolution of many Japanese CVCs and, beyond that, to the development of innovation in Japan."

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