Event Report- "Event Salon Kansai in EXPO 2025” at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025

On June 19, 2025, a special event hosted by Peatix took place at the “TEAM EXPO Pavilion” within the Future Life Village of the Osaka–Kansai Expo. Themed around “co-creation,” experts from diverse fields shared practical know-how, real-world experiences, and the challenges they’ve faced and overcome in a series of live storytelling sessions.

“Innovation × Co-Creation – How Deepening Co-Creation Unlocks Future Innovation”

In this session, Kanako Murase, Senior Program Manager at Innovation Dojo Japan (IDJ), spoke about key insights from IDJ’s support for cross-border collaboration. 

How can overseas startups and Japanese companies achieve real results through co-creation?

1. Recognize the differences in business customs and adjust timelines and approval/trust-building processes accordingly.
Japanese firms typically rely on careful, multi-stage approval chains. Startups, by contrast, favor speed and a “test–adjust–iterate” culture. Understanding these approaches is vital.

2.Don’t overlook nuances in wording.
When international firms say “yes,” they usually mean “understood and agreed.” But in Japan, “yes” can simply mean “I’ll look into it,” as a polite response. Clarifying acceptance versus politeness is crucial to avoid misaligned expectations.

3. Master expectation management.
With cross-border projects, it’s essential from the outset to structure the process carefully. Japanese firms often pursue a “finished product,” while startups typically begin with a minimal viable product (MVP). Agreeing in advance when, what level of output, and how to share progress can help prevent friction later on. 

Why Innovation Dojo Japan (IDJ) stands out as a cross-border accelerator:

• A global public-private-academic network
  Based in Japan, originally from Australia, IDJ has strong ties with universities, government institutions, industries, and startups around the world—especially in Australia.
  
  
• Cultural fluency and facilitation expertise
  Its bilingual and bicultural team has deep experience with overseas VCs and government bodies, bridging practices and customs between Japanese firms and international startups.
  
  
• A phased collaboration framework
  From Proof of Concept to full deployment, IDJ designs step-by-step collaboration to build trust and demonstrate success.
  
  
• Ongoing post-collaboration support
  After projects launch, IDJ continues monitoring outcomes and offers strategic mentoring and support as needed.

In conclusion, for cross-border collaboration to truly succeed, it’s essential to “know differences, adapt processes, and nurture relationships.” The aim isn’t just tangible results—the real value lies in designing and implementing a meaningful co-creation process. That very mindset and structure are what generate lasting innovation.

Innovation Dojo Japan is accelerating Japan’s innovation ecosystem from a strategic, design-oriented standpoint—specializing in cross-border collaboration from end to end.