During a recent video address at WebX 2026 in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated the government's commitment to bolster the Web3 ecosystem and startups. She emphasized the importance of increasing financial support and easing regulations to stimulate investor engagement across the country.
Takaichi highlighted that the government's goal is to boost annual startup investment to approximately 10 trillion yen by 2027. This ambitious initiative aims to position Japan as a pivotal hub for startups in Asia. As part of this effort, the government is advancing tax reforms for cryptocurrency, which would align crypto assets with stocks and bonds, potentially applying a 20% tax rate to crypto gains.
The WebX event is expected to draw around 15,000 attendees, making it one of the most significant Web3 gatherings in Asia. Takaichi described the conference as a fertile ground for startups to connect with investors and explore practical blockchain applications. She expressed optimism about public policy and industry events fostering new business collaborations.
The Comprehensive Startup Support Package, introduced in May 2025, strengthens existing initiatives like the Five-Year Startup Development Plan initiated in 2022. This package includes plans for increased capital from government-backed funds and modifications in regulations aimed at facilitating growth for emerging enterprises. While the prime minister provided a broad overview, she did not specify a timeline for implementing these measures.
In addition to funding and support, Japan's push towards Web3 is intertwined with ongoing reforms in the digital asset space. This dual approach not only aims to support startups but also to create a favorable environment for cryptocurrency operations within the country. As the government envisions producing 100 unicorns and nurturing 100,000 startups, the actual success of these measures will largely depend on active investment participation and the execution of proposed policies.
However, despite the positive outlook, Takaichi did not unveil a new dedicated fund for Web3 initiatives or an immediate set of regulatory changes specific to the crypto sector. This leaves the community eager for clearer pathways toward investment and support from public entities.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
