Japan Doubles Down on Web3 as PM Takaichi Targets Startup Growth

Takaichi framed the growth of blockchain and Web3 ventures as a pillar of Japan’s broader innovation strategy. While the address did not unveil new, specific funding tranches or immediate legislative shifts, it reinforced the government’s Comprehensive Startup Support Package, established in May 2025. This framework seeks to bridge the gap between early-stage founders and institutional capital, aiming to produce 100 unicorns and 100,000 startups under the nation’s five-year development plan.

Regulatory momentum appears to be shifting toward the long-discussed tax revisions for digital assets. Lawmakers are currently navigating a legislative path that could introduce a 20% tax rate on crypto gains, effectively aligning digital assets with traditional equity markets. Should these measures pass, they are expected to take effect by 2028. Beyond government policy, private initiatives are filling the gaps, with organizations like Ripple and Web3 Salon offering grants of up to $200,000 to local teams building on the XRP Ledger.

Despite the consistent presence of senior leadership at WebX—following the precedents set by former Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida and Shigeru Ishiba—the practical success of these initiatives rests on execution. Ministries and financial regulators are now tasked with translating these high-level policy goals into granular rules and operational funding programs that can move the needle beyond the conference floor.