#Japan #Fintech #Sapporo #Heiwa Real Estate

Strengthening Sapporo's Financial Ecosystem through Collaboration

On October 22, 2025, Sapporo City (Mayor: Katsuhiro Akimoto) and Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Kiyoshi Tsuchimoto) formalized a partnership with an aim to enhance the city's financial ecosystem by promoting the aggregation of fintech, asset management sectors, and venture capital. This agreement, termed the "Partnership for Strengthening the Financial Ecosystem," is expected to play a crucial role in invigorating the local economy.

Background of the Partnership

Sapporo City has recently been designated as a target area for the "Financial and Asset Management Special Zone" alongside Hokkaido and is included in the nation's strategic special zones as of June 2024. This milestone serves as an impetus for furthering efforts to enhance and accumulate finance-related functions. By utilizing the framework of the special zone, Sapporo aims to attract asset management companies and promote the creation and nurturing of startups, thereby boosting business opportunities and aspiring to become a financial center of Asia and the world.

On the other hand, Heiwa Real Estate has developed its service office, "FinGATE," in Tokyo's Nihonbashi Kabuto-cho and Kayabacho areas since 2017, where it has offered various support services such as information dissemination, business matching, and middle and back-office integration assistance targeted towards finance-related companies and startups. As a result, over 100 financial players from both domestic and international locations have gathered at its six Tokyo locations. Heiwa is now looking into opportunities for establishing a new financial hub in Sapporo with "FinGATE SAPPORO," which will leverage its operating expertise from Tokyo while fostering the gathering of finance-related companies in Hokkaido and Sapporo.

The establishment of “FinGATE SAPPORO” will strengthen the exchange of people, information, and capital between Tokyo and Sapporo and contribute to the diversification and enhancement of Japan's financial services industry. This initiative will also align with the ongoing redevelopment projects in Sapporo, such as the "Odori West 4 South District Redevelopment Project" and the "Sapporo Station South Exit North 4 West 3 District Redevelopment Project," ultimately generating new urban vibrancy and bolstering Sapporo’s competitive edge as a financial city.

Having previously collaborated on attracting financial companies and creating business opportunities in Sapporo, the recent signing of this agreement marks a significant step towards mutual reinforcement of the goal to realize Sapporo's vision of being a financial center of Asia and the world.

The pact aims to expedite the creation, nurturing, and attraction of finance-related firms in Sapporo by merging initiatives from the city’s Financial and Asset Management Special Zone and Heiwa's rich expertise gained in Tokyo.

Joint Initiatives from the Partnership

As part of this partnership, Sapporo City and Heiwa Real Estate are committed to collaborating on the following initiatives:
1. Efforts to create, nurture, and attract financial-related companies.
2. Organizing events to foster networking and information exchange between local and finance-related companies to create business opportunities.
3. Creating opportunities for nurturing financial talent alongside universities and facilitating interactions between finance-related companies.
4. Any other necessary activities deemed essential for achieving the agreement's objectives.

Financial Talent Development and Upcoming Seminar

As a part of this collaboration, a financial seminar titled "Understanding Financial Business" is set to take place at Hokkaido University on October 23 and November 27, 2025. Co-hosted by Sapporo City, Hokkaido University, and Heiwa Real Estate, this seminar will showcase the business models of finance-related companies operating within Tokyo’s “FinGATE” hub, thereby enlightening participants on the prospects and diversity of financial businesses. While primarily aimed at university and graduate students, the event will also contribute to nurturing the next generation of financial talent.

Details of the Seminar:
Dates:
1. October 23, 2025, from 18:00 to 20:00
2. November 27, 2025, same timing
Venue: Hokkaido University, Open Innovation Hub Enreisou, 8 Chome-11-8 Kitaku, Sapporo
Target Audience: University students, graduate students, general public
Organizers: Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Co-Hosts: Sapporo City, Hokkaido University
Format & Capacity: In-person only, first 50 attendees
Tentative Program:
18:00 - Opening remarks
18:05 - 19:05 Panel discussion: "Understanding Financial Business"

Panelists:

• - Daiki Kimura (CEO, Keyaki Capital)
• - Yuki Nakayasu (CEO, Minsestu Co., Ltd.)
• - Takahiko Okazaki (Investment Director, PINECONE Co., Ltd.)

Moderator: Mumu Makinoshige (JIAM)

About FinGATE

Located in the Nihonbashi Kabuto-cho and Kayabacho areas of Tokyo, "FinGATE" developed by Heiwa Real Estate is one of the largest aggregation points for finance professionals, housing over 100 firms, including independent asset managers, fintech startups, VC/PE entities, and industry organizations. Heiwa supports its tenants with infrastructure, business matching, and shared services, aiming for growth at various stages of tenant companies. Their aim is to replicate this success in Sapporo, enhancing the financial industry while contributing significantly to local economic development.

For more information, visit the official FinGATE website at FinGATE Tokyo or check out their official channels on note, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates and insights into the financial sector.

Company Overview

Heiwa Real Estate has been a key player in Japan's financial market since its establishment in 1947, serving as the owner of securities exchange buildings across major Japanese cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. Heiwa is committed to creating engaging spaces that attract people and foster prosperity.
Company Name: Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Established: July 1947
CEO: Kiyoshi Tsuchimoto
Headquarters: 1-10, Kabuto-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Website: Heiwa Official Site