#Japan #Tokyo #Startup Hub TAMA #Miki Sawa #Ryo Tsuchiya

Celebrating Five Years of Startup Hub Tokyo TAMA

The Startup Hub Tokyo TAMA is gearing up for a special celebration as it marks its fifth anniversary on October 25th. Located in the commercial facility GREEN SPRINGS in Tachikawa City, this entrepreneurial support hub has served over 190,000 individuals since its inception on July 30, 2025. As part of this festive occasion, two prominent guests, Miki Sawa, a celebrated soccer player who led Japan's national women's team to victory in the 2011 World Cup, and Ryo Tsuchiya, an artist and radio personality dedicated to promoting the charms of the Tama region, will headline a special talk show.

Event Details

• - Date: October 25, 2025 (Saturday)
• - Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• - Format: Both in-person and recorded online broadcast (Participation is free, advance registration required)
• - Recorded broadcast availability: 2 weeks from the event date, starting November 8, 2025
• - Location: Startup Hub Tokyo TAMA event space (Capacity: 30 participants)

The anniversary event aims to inspire through a mix of guest talks, panel discussions featuring local entrepreneurs, and a networking session.

Guest Speakers

Miki Sawa

Miki Sawa was born on September 6, 1978, in Tokyo. She became a member of the national team at the age of 15 and played a crucial role as captain during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, leading Japan to its first championship. She received accolades such as the tournament MVP and top scorer, and upon her return home, the team was honored with the National Honor Award. She also won the FIFA Women's Player of the Year award in the same year. After retiring from professional soccer in December 2015, she focused on supporting sports development and is currently raising her child while taking on roles as a sports nutrition planner and parenting consultant.

Ryo Tsuchiya

Ryo Tsuchiya, born September 1, 1975, in Kunitachi City, Tokyo, rose to fame as a member of the acapella group RAG FAIR, which debuted in 2001. Known for dominating the Oricon singles chart and appearing in the famous NHK New Year’s Eve special, Tsuchiya now hosts various radio programs, sharing his love for the Tama region and engaging in various artistic endeavors.

Panel Discussion: "Starting Your Own Business in Tama"

The second segment of the event will feature a panel discussion with three young entrepreneurs. They will share their experiences and insights on why they chose to start their businesses in Tama, the challenges they faced, and their journey in creating successful ventures.

1. Katsu Uemura - Founder of Neighbors Farm
- Born in 1991, Katsu graduated from the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Agriculture. He took part in establishing a large-scale tomato cultivation facility in Fukui before starting his business in Hino City. Neighbors Farm focuses on closer farming practices that connect with the community.
- Neighbors Farm

2. Tetsuya Iizuka - Founder of TANUKI STUDIO
- Born in 1986 and hailing from Tama City, Tetsuya studied shoemaking abroad and founded "buddy" in 2011. After becoming independent in 2017, he incorporated TANUKI STUDIO in 2022.
- TANUKI STUDIO

3. Chisato Sakane - Representative of Suichu Co., Ltd.
- Born in 1998, Chisato opened Snack Suichu after taking over a long-standing snack bar. She is dedicated to promoting community relationships and expanding snack bars in the region.
- Snack Suichu

Networking Session

During the networking session, participants will enjoy light refreshments prepared by businesses that have benefited from the Startup Hub Tokyo’s support.

We invite everyone interested in entrepreneurship and local economies to join us for this engaging event. Whether in-person or online, be part of the celebration and gain inspiring insights from successful figures in the community.

About Startup Hub Tokyo TAMA

Startup Hub Tokyo TAMA was established in July 2020 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center, aimed at assisting budding entrepreneurs. With tailored facilities such as Startup Hub Tokyo and Planning Port, it ensures support at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

For more information about the event, please visit the official page: Startup Hub Tokyo