Main Initiatives
Startup Support
MUFG has leveraged its group functions to provide various support to enhance the value of startups and collaborated to develop new services. Consequently, the total facility line, including through investment in Asian digital companies and fund origination by Mars Growth Capital, has expanded to approximately 1.1 trillion yen.
These activities have been recognized, and MUFG was selected as the highest-ranked financial institution for the second consecutive year in the third “Startup Friendly Scoring1” by Keidanren. MUFG received the highest evaluation of “A-rank” not only for providing funds to startups, as was the case last year, but also for the first time in the procurement of products and services and talent development categories.
As a declaration of MUFG’s commitment in this field, we have established a new tagline, “さぁ、世界を驚かせに行こう！” This expression embodies our aspiration to amaze the world with innovations originating from Japan, together with all stakeholders involved with startups.
Main Initiatives
- Value-up supported companies (Collaboration in BK, TB, SC)
- As of end Jan 2025. The MTBP target is ¥20tn
- Create touch point of Start up and expand initiatives
Create touch points with new Start up via MUCAP and external VC.
Discover good SU and exploring new targets via collaboration among industries, universities and communities.
- Contribution to eco system and enhance awareness
Pioneering the future of the space industry
The market scale of the space industry is 68 trillion yen in 2023 and will be 101 trillion yen(note) in 2030, making it one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The utilization of satellite-based communications, location data, and earth observation data is expected to expand in more wide-ranging fields and to contribute to solutions to a variety of social issues.
As a financial institution, we are able to help develop the Japanese space industry by performing various functions for the entire space industry value chain from upstream to downstream. For upstream, we provide financial support to build next-generation industrial infrastructure, such as transport equipment, satellites, and Spaceport. We also finance and invest in private startups specializing in rocket launches as well as in providers of in-orbit satellite services (such as space debris removal). Furthermore, we are advancing various initiatives by working closely with operating companies, government agencies, municipalities, and research institutes. For downstream, we leverage satellite data to drive both customer business applications and our own new business development. Specifically, we visualize our efforts to reduce GHG emissions and measure GHG reduction and absorption to create carbon credits.
- Estimate by Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd.
“Building an Ecosystem Connecting Japan and Low Earth Orbit -Towards the Landing of the Dream Chaser® Spaceplane at Oita Airport-" Wins the "Selection Committee Special Award" at the 7th Japan Open Innovation Prize
In February 2025, the initiative "Building an Ecosystem Connecting Japan and Low Earth Orbit -Towards the Landing of the Dream Chaser® Spaceplane at Oita Airport-" (hereinafter referred to as "this initiative"), a collaborative effort between the Bank, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., Kanematsu Corporation, Oita Prefecture, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd., Sierra Space Corporation, and Space Port Japan Association, received the "Selection Committee Special Award" at the 7th Japan Open Innovation Prize hosted by the Cabinet Office.
This initiative aims to establish Oita Airport as an Asian hub for spaceplanes through public-private and international collaboration. It was highly evaluated for its pioneering collaborative framework that combines expertise from different industries to promote new entries into the space business, and its future development is highly anticipated.
Tackling challenges faced by the food industry, Food-X Project
The Food-X Project, launched in 2022, is an initiative aimed at addressing the structural challenges faced by Japan's food industry to establish a sustainable food system and achieve a rich and fulfilling dietary lifestyle for individuals.
MUFG is working with a wide range of clients involved in food production, processing, retail, and food service, as well as with government agencies, academia, and other stakeholders, to shape the future of "food." We are working to rebuild the value chain from producers to consumers, strengthen Japan’s international competitiveness, and support the development of new technologies and businesses that address food-related challenges.
Sponsorship and Participation in
the Global Food Tech Conference SKS Japan 2024
the MUFG ICJ ESG Accelerator Program
Support for Regional Revitalization
MUIC Kansai
As an initiative to tackle challenges in the tourism industry and revitalize the Kansai economy, in February 2021, MUFG opened MUIC Kansai in Osaka, a membership-based innovation center.
The core function of MUIC Kansai is "problem-solving programs" aimed at fostering innovation. The facility provides a platform that brings together large member corporations and startups to identify social issues, conduct proof-of-concept experiments, and implement the solutions in society in an integrated manner. Since its inception, MUIC Kansai has generated numerous unique business ideas and has garnered attention from various media outlets.
Anticipating that diverse technological seeds will be implemented in society following the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo as the event’s legacies, we are expanding the theme of the project beyond its original focus on tourism and inbound travel to include areas such as the environment, health, food, and entertainment. We aim to establish a more comprehensive support system for startups and become a hub organization for the Kansai startup ecosystem.
Additionally, we are expanding our base for spreading our model for resolving social issues nationwide. The model features collaboration between large corporations and startups, and contributes to society as one of the platforms for implementing the Expo’s legacies.
ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO
The Bank and Fighters Sports & Entertainment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Fighters") have signed a partnership agreement in 2023 aimed at co-creating a business that combines finance with sports.
Fighters is a company that engages in the development and operation of HOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE, the core of which is the new ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO stadium that opened in March 2023. Centered on that core, we are promoting sustainable urban development that combines lodging facilities, commercial spaces, agricultural learning facilities, Certified Childcare Centers, residences, and more.
The Bank is taking part in new urban development and new business creation with a focus on sports at ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO. Symbolizing this, the Bank obtained naming rights for the interview room and christened it "MUFG Co-Creation Room." While serving as a hub for the local community and varied stakeholders, the Bank is advancing MUFG's aim of the social implementation of innovation and the resolution of social issues through sports.
ALL JAPAN Tourist Area Regeneration/Revitalization Fund
Invigorating the domestic tourism industry is positioned as one of Japan's critical economic policies and is deemed key to facilitating regional revitalization. Moreover, it is seen as an essential growth strategy as the nation strives toward a GDP target of ¥600 trillion. With the number of visitors from overseas growing, the industry is seeing the creation of new and varied market demand and its potential is expanding. However, on the business front, the industry is faced with a number of challenges, including a shortage of accommodation due to an aging and insufficient supply of facilities, the graying of facility operators and a pressing need for management succession planning. Regional businesses are also being called upon to develop new sightseeing resources and meet increasingly diverse tourist needs.
To help the industry take on these challenges, the ALL JAPAN Tourist Area Regeneration/Revitalization Fund was instituted in April 2018. The first domestic private fund of its kind, this megafund is uniquely designed to facilitate investment that transcends regional boundaries. Alongside other leading business corporations representing various industries, MUFG will collaborate with regional financial institutions to operate the fund, thereby promoting a thriving tourism industry and invigorated regional economies in all 47 prefectures nationwide. By doing so MUFG will actively contribute to Japan's industrial development and economic growth.
The number of investment projects totaled 37 (15 real estate investments and 22 venture investments). Some of these projects are listed below.
As of June 2025, the second fund has invested in 10 assets so far (4 real estate investments and 6 venture investments). Moving forward, we will continue to be active as a platform for the tourism industry and for regional revitalization.
