JIAM Investment Community Roundtable – Key takeaways

Investment Community Roundtable in Sapporo – Vol.1, August 2025
The First Step to Creating the Sapporo AM-related Community – Key Outcomes and Outlook

The Investment Community Roundtable held in Sapporo, following its designation as a “Financial & Asset Management Special Zone,” served as a vital forum to explore investment opportunities and ecosystem-building in Hokkaido centered on Green Transformation (GX) and Digital Transformation (DX). A diverse group of domestic and international players gathered, sharing strong expectations and concrete strategies for revitalizing the regional economy.

• Host：JIAM、Sapporo City、Sapporo Stock Exchange
• Event name：Investment Community Roundtable in Sapporo – Vol.1, August 2025
  
• Timing：2025年8月22日　4PM – 6:55PM
  
• Venue：2F, Conference Room of Sapporo Stock Exchange 
• Supporers：Team Sapporo-Hokkaido Consortium, Nomura Fiduciary Research & Consulting (NFRC)
• Attendees：Pension fund, University Endowments, VC, Regional banking LP, CVC, Other relevant constituents

Key Quotes and Highlights

Major Domestic Investment Institutions

• “It is gratifying to see Hokkaido attracting global attention in GX/DX.”

• “With vast land, transmission networks, and industries like Rapidus, Hokkaido is an ideal site for power plants and a historic investment opportunity.”

• “Highly skilled talent is underutilized in Sapporo — we aim for a long-term (10-year) initiative to nurture industry and talent.”

• “Japan’s VC industry is too inward-looking; Hokkaido could lead the global flow of investment.”

• “Regulatory limits such as the 49-investor rule are a barrier — STOs should be considered.”

Regional Financial Institutions

• “Hokkaido’s Special Zone designation is a major opportunity; we set clear GX/DX investment goals.”

• “We aim to tackle regional issues (population decline, labor shortages) with startups, AI, and advanced tech.”

• “Deep-tech startups require significant time and capital, and IPO cases are few.”

Asset Owners

• “Impact investments failed to deliver expected returns — balancing social and economic goals remains difficult.”

• “If similar renewable energy initiatives arise in Hokkaido, we may consider region-specific investments.”

• “We emphasize collaboration with asset managers and universities, focusing on impact investment.”

Corporates & Startups

• “Hydrogen stations are operating at a deep loss; economic viability is the greatest challenge.”

• “GX requires hydrogen’s feasibility and policy support, such as carbon pricing and credits.”

• “We must foster not only startups but also entrepreneurs who create jobs.”

• “As a ‘front-runner in social challenges,’ Hokkaido can generate advanced technologies and businesses.”

International Perspectives

• “We place high priority on Japan’s decarbonization, especially solar panels and storage batteries.”

• “We plan to expand business in Japan and Asia and are seeking partners.”

Academic Institutions & University-affiliated VCs

• “Hokkaido’s human resources and natural environment hold unlimited potential for value creation.”

• “Universities lack the means for commercialization, planning, and sales, despite abundant research seeds.”

JIAM

• • “We were concerned about forming an investor community in Sapporo, but the strong turnout was encouraging.”

  • “This meeting reaffirmed that things not possible in Tokyo can be realized in Hokkaido.”