- Japan PM Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed government support for startups and Web3.
- WebX 2026 saw 15,000 attendees, serving as a major platform for startup-investor union.
- Takaichi’s address continues Japan’s Web3 strategy, following commitments by former PMs.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi used the opening of WebX 2026 to reaffirm the government’s commitment to startups and Web3. Her words indicated that support for the sector will continue through expanded funding and regulatory reforms.
In a recorded video address, Takaichi described WebX as one of Asia’s largest Web3 conferences, bringing together around 15,000 participants from across the world.
She said the event has become an important meeting point for startups, investors, and industry leaders working on blockchain-based technologies and real-world Web3 applications.
Government Expands Startup Funding
Takaichi highlighted the government’s “Total Startup Power Package,” introduced in May 2025 to strengthen Japan’s existing Five-Year Startup Development Plan.
The package increases financial support for startups through government-backed funds and financial institutions while also introducing regulatory easing aimed at helping young companies grow faster. Web3 companies are among the businesses expected to benefit from the expanded support.
Japan’s original Five-Year Startup Development Plan was launched by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in 2022 with the goal of increasing annual startup investment to ¥10 trillion ($61.6 billion) by fiscal year 2027.
The updated package broadens that effort by encouraging greater participation from sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, and private investors.
Takaichi said combining these government measures with industry events such as WebX could help strengthen Japan’s innovation ecosystem and encourage more entrepreneurs to build new businesses.
WebX Remains a Platform for Government and Industry
The prime minister said WebX has become more than a blockchain conference, serving as a venue where startups, investors, developers, and policymakers can discuss industry challenges, improve cooperation, and build new partnerships.
The conference also hosts investor matching sessions, giving startups direct access to funding opportunities. Takaichi said this collaboration between the public and private sectors is an important part of expanding Japan’s Web3 industry.
Web3 Policy Continues Across Administrations
Takaichi’s appearance marks the third straight year that Japan’s sitting prime minister has addressed WebX, showing that support for blockchain and Web3 has continued despite changes in political leadership.
At WebX 2024, then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described blockchain and Web3 as key technologies under his “New Capitalism” agenda. His administration also pointed to tax reforms and legal changes designed to make fundraising easier for startups.
In 2025, former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivered the conference’s opening speech in person. He described the 2020s as a major industrial transformation and announced plans to expand investment in Web3 and artificial intelligence while pursuing further regulatory reforms.
Ishiba also noted that the number of startups in Japan had increased from roughly 16,000 in 2021 to about 25,000 by 2025.
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