[Discussion] J-Stories Editorial Board Roundtable: Reflecting on a tumultuous 2024

J-Stories, an international news service originating in Japan, is dedicated to sharing the innovative efforts of Japanese startups and other initiatives across various fields with the world. In 2024, the platform took significant strides, stepping beyond its traditional print format to host pitch events and evolving from bilingual (Japanese and English) to trilingual (adding Chinese). It was a year of growth for J-Stories.

However, globally, challenges persisted. Ongoing issues such as war, conflict, disaster, climate change, and rising prices remained unresolved. Moreover, new challenges emerged, including the rapid spread of AI, the decline of media influence due to social media's information dissemination, and disruptions in logistics caused by labor shortages.

As a media outlet specializing in solutions, J-Stories must consider what role it can play in addressing these societal challenges. What should its responsibilities be as a media entity in this turbulent landscape?

The editorial board (Executive Editor Toshi Maeda, Chief Editorial Adviser Katsuro Kitamatsu, and Editorial Adviser Sayuri Daimon) looks back on the tumultuous year of 2024 to discuss the key issues that demand attention today, potential solutions, and the vital role J-Stories can play moving forward. (Part 1 of 2)

(Interviewer: J-Stories Deputy Executive Editor Takanori Isshiki)

J-Stories: To begin, let's reflect on the year. What was 2024 like from a political perspective?

Sayuri Daimon (J-Stories Editorial Adviser, referred to as Daimon below): I think 2024 was a year of significant change. Domestically, Japan saw a shift from the Kishida administration to the Ishiba administration. In the United States, former President Donald Trump won the presidential election. Alongside these developments — whether as a consequence or a sign of the broader shift — the Assad regime in Syria collapsed, France’s ruling party suffered a crushing defeat in the elections, and South Korea experienced a political upheaval. Amid these major political transitions, a rise in nationalism and the emergence of right-wing governments seem to be unfolding globally. It's fascinating to consider how these changes will impact the year ahead.

Katsuro Kitamatsu (J-Stories Chief Editorial Adviser, referred to as Kitamatsu below): I share a similar impression. Globally, geopolitical risks have increased, and it seems that countries advocating for authoritarianism are gaining strength, perhaps more so than democratic nations. Having been raised with the belief that democracy is right and authoritarianism is wrong, I find myself bewildered by this shift. 

While the specific policies of the Trump administration remain to be seen, he has already openly stated that “tariffs are a very beautiful policy.” This signals that the trend toward free trade, which has driven the global economy, may face significant constraints moving forward. Japan, which has long championed free trade, for instance by leading the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), now faces the challenge of balancing this with the protectionist, bilateral (two-country) approach favored by the Trump administration. I believe this will create considerable friction, ultimately affecting the lives of ordinary people.

Toshi Maeda (J-Stories Executive Editor, referred to as Maeda below): Yes, I believe the major trend this year has been the deepening global divisions, largely influenced by elections around the world. For instance, in the Americas, after Donald Trump’s victory, the first foreign leader he met was Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who has been called “Argentina’s Trump” due to his radical rhetoric. Their partnership has since become official, and now figures like Elon Musk are also becoming involved. Meanwhile, in a region long referred to as "America's backyard," Latin America, China has been steadily expanding its influence. In Peru, a massive port built with Chinese capital was completed in November, and it is expected to become a key hub for trade with China in Latin America. This is just one example, but it shows how the global landscape is shifting significantly, even within the Americas.

J-Stories: Indeed, as governments around the world change, the dynamics of the U.S.-China conflict have only intensified.

Maeda: Every year, a Singapore-based think tank conducts a survey among ASEAN experts and government officials, asking them, "If forced to choose between China and the United States as an ally, which side would you take?" For the first time this year, more respondents chose China over the U.S. The number of countries siding with the U.S. has become a minority, with only Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines standing firmly with Washington in Southeast Asia. The primary reason for this shift is that China has become the region's largest trading partner — a trend also seen in Latin America. A case in point is the massive port built with Chinese capital in Peru, positioning it as a regional hub for trade with China. This growing economic interconnection underscores the increasing prominence of China on the global stage.

J-Stories: How about outside of politics and the economy?

Daimon: One thing that personally concerns me is the rapid evolution of AI (artificial intelligence). AI has advanced to the point where it can now perform tasks that were once thought to be uniquely human. In Hollywood, for example, actors went on strike to protest these changes. The question we now face is: Where do we draw the line between work that should remain human and tasks that AI should take over? Ultimately, I think this year has raised the fundamental question: What does it mean to be human?

This evolution of AI is closely tied to broader issues, including debates over the accuracy of information in election coverage and other media discussions. In many ways, I believe this has been a year where the very existence and role of the media have been questioned. We’re witnessing a significant shift from traditional media to new platforms like YouTube, and this transformation is becoming more apparent every day.

Kitamatsu: Traditionally, the mission of the media has been to convey accurate information to society, which in turn invigorates democracy. However, with the emergence of powerful technologies like generative AI, and the widespread use of social media, people have started to question whether the media is truly delivering correct information. In fact, there has been a surge in unchecked and sometimes misleading information, not just from media outlets but across the board. It gives the impression that democracy itself is being corrupted. I can’t shake the feeling that this is a problem that has only worsened, and whether it can be fixed remains uncertain. This year has passed without any clear direction on how to resolve it.

Maeda: The issue of media was one I spent a great deal of time reflecting on this year. But perhaps even more striking was the prominence of natural disasters. In Japan, the year began with the Noto earthquake on Jan. 1. Meanwhile, in Spain’s Valencia, the city faced its worst flooding in history due to a devastating flash storm. The United States also experienced severe damage from hurricanes. These events highlight the urgent need for technologies aimed at disaster prevention and response. It was a year in which the role of such technologies became even more crucial and should be given renewed attention.

Kitamatsu: Exactly. I remain hopeful about the potential of technology to address these pressing issues. The growing global economic disparity is a major cause of conflicts, and many countries, Japan included, are grappling with the challenges of an aging and declining population. As the working-age population shrinks, we see distortions in industries, and ultimately, this affects our everyday lives. This situation seems to have intensified over the course of the year. For startups, however, this challenge also presents a business opportunity, and I believe we will see new solutions emerge in response.

J-Stories: Thank you. Throughout this year, J-Stories has featured startups and companies providing innovative solutions to global challenges. You’ve raised many important issues, but from the perspective of solutions, were there any particular insights or challenges you noticed this year?

Kitamatsu: As I mentioned earlier, the challenge of how to overcome the issues of an aging population and low birth rates, and how to stimulate the economy, has become a critical policy issue in many countries, not just Japan. Among the companies we've featured in J-Stories, there have been noticeable efforts to tackle these challenges with unique perspectives, technologies, and ideas. For instance, one company we recently covered, Culta, is working on what is often called "smart agriculture." With a declining agricultural workforce and the challenges posed by climate change, they’re using AI and IT technology to create more efficient and effective ways of farming. This is a very interesting example. Specifically, they’re developing crop varieties that can withstand climate change, and they’ve developed a technology that speeds up the breeding process five times faster than traditional methods. They’ve already begun applying this in practice, improving domestic production efficiency. At the same time, they’re expanding their business by enabling the cultivation of Japan’s delicious fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, in countries with different weather conditions than Japan’s. This is a new way of thinking, where agriculture, which was traditionally limited to domestic production, is now expanding overseas. I think this is a great example of startup innovation.

Daimon: One article that left a strong impression on me was about a young entrepreneur from Uzbekistan who started a company in Japan. This company is using AI to solve problems in Japan’s trucking logistics industry. Their ambitious goal is to create a more efficient delivery system and realize joint deliveries without waste. The fact that a foreigner studying in Japan is working to bring innovation to Japan’s logistics industry is truly inspiring. Innovation isn’t something that only Japan needs. Many of the problems we face here are common global challenges, and we should wholeheartedly welcome overseas individuals bringing innovation to Japan. One of J-Stories’ strengths is acting as a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world. By connecting inbound and outbound innovation, we can foster even greater breakthroughs. I believe it’s important to expand initiatives like his both domestically and internationally.

Maeda: This year, J-Stories has continued to highlight innovations emerging from Japan, but I believe it also marked a significant year for startups from across Asia entering Japan's startup ecosystem.

As executive editor, I had the opportunity to collaborate as a media partner for the Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit in September, organized by Startup Island Taiwan, a government-backed initiative to support startups. This partnership led to my appointment as co-representative of their Tokyo office. Through these experiences, I gained a deeper understanding of the strong business interest that Taiwan and Southeast Asia have in Japan. These countries are eager to enter the Japanese market, driven by a genuine sense of opportunity and need.

J-Stories: Why are countries like Taiwan and other Asian nations eager to expand into Japan? Is this a phenomenon unique to this year?

Maeda: There are several reasons for this shift. First, many countries in Asia, including Taiwan and South Korea, have relatively small domestic markets. Taiwan's population is about 23 million, and South Korea's is roughly half of Japan's, at around 50 million. With such small markets, these countries have little choice but to look abroad for growth. Japan, with a single market of over 100 million people and one unified language, presents an attractive option.

Southeast Asia, while a collective market of over 600 million people, poses more challenges. Each country has its own language and distinct consumer preferences, requiring significant adaptation of products, which adds complexity for businesses looking to expand.

Another reason is the shared demographic challenge facing both Japan and many East Asian nations: the aging population and declining birth rates. Japan's total fertility rate for 2023 was just 1.20. However, countries like Singapore have an even lower rate of 0.97, Taiwan is at 0.87, and South Korea has the lowest at 0.72. The issues Japan faces with its aging society are quickly becoming the challenges of the entire region.

The third factor is geographical and cultural proximity. Japan is not only close geographically to its neighbors like South Korea and Taiwan — where the time difference is minimal — but it also shares significant cultural similarities. There are legal system similarities as well, making the business environment relatively familiar compared to regions like Europe or North America.

As for China, despite being a much larger market than Japan, the country has become less of a viable option for international businesses this year. Many global companies no longer consider China a priority for expansion. Hong Kong, for similar reasons, is also no longer viewed as a gateway. With Taiwan and South Korea still having relatively smaller markets, Japan stands out as a logical alternative. This makes Japan an increasingly attractive option by process of elimination.

J-Stories: I see. On the flip side, are more Japanese companies expanding abroad as well?

Daimon: At the Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit 2024 and similar events, we’ve seen an increasing number of international startups looking to enter the Japanese market. But with a shift in perspective, we hosted the Japan Global Innovators’ Forum (JGIF) in March, a pioneering event where Japanese companies — particularly those featured by J-Stories — had the chance to meet with international venture capitalists (VCs) for matchmaking and feedback. This was a first for us, and I found it to be a highly interesting and valuable initiative.

Among the companies presenting at the event was a startup that creates water from air. What's even more remarkable is that some of the startups we’ve covered at J-Stories have also used such innovative technologies for real-world applications. For instance, during the Noto earthquake, one of these companies deployed their technology in disaster recovery efforts. To see so many companies with new technologies and a genuine drive to tackle global challenges is truly encouraging. It’s been incredibly rewarding for J-Stories to uncover and highlight these kinds of impactful innovators.

Kitamatsu: Yes, it’s true. Whether these companies will ultimately succeed remains to be seen, but many of the companies we’ve featured seem to have a strong desire to take their technologies abroad. Of course, there are challenges, but it’s clear that many of these companies possess the passion and drive to push forward despite the hurdles.

Daimon: And while they may not be startups, I think the innovation that comes from Japan’s meticulous culture — its ability to address even the smallest details — is truly remarkable. If I had to highlight one example, it would be Japan’s stationery. After seeing the products displayed at this year’s stationery expo, I thought to myself, “I doubt you can find anything like this anywhere else in the world.”

Maeda: For instance, the way the eraser shavings collect into a neat pile — that kind of fine detail is really impressive.

Daimon: Yes, exactly. It's the finer details. For instance, with glue, you apply it and it leaves a color, but over time it becomes transparent. Or, sometimes the applicator isn’t round but square — there are all these little things to consider. There are pens designed to be easier to write with, and many products that also have great design and have won design awards. These kinds of stationery items seem to be especially popular with people in Asia, and we've seen YouTubers and other influencers from Taiwan and Hong Kong coming to Japan to showcase Japanese stationery.

I believe Japan’s strength lies in its craftsmanship, particularly in its meticulous and detailed approach to manufacturing. If we can harness this strength more in the future, I think it could lead to even bigger business opportunities.

In the second part, we'll discuss the potential of Japan-born startups and look ahead to the prospects for 2025.

Translated by J-Stories (Anita De Michele)

Editing by Mark Goldsmith

Top photo by J-Stories (Moritz Brinkhoff, Emi Takahata)

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Click here for the Japanese version of the article