Why Japanese Femtech is so different

Things don't always go as planned. In fact, they usually don't.

Four years ago, femtech was both a rapidly-growing product category and a nationwide movement vocally championed by politicians, industry, and the media.

As the market began to grow, however, Japan's incumbents took note and took action. The femtech social movement began to decouple from the products.

Today we talk with Amina Sugimoto about the future of femtech in Japan, the fragile nature of public promises in the face of corporate lobbying,  the likely impact of Prime Minister Takaichi on femtech, and how, despite aggressive lobbying by the incumbents, foreign femtech products are starting to enter the Japanese market.

There is a lot of important advice for anyone thinking of entering the Japanese market. It's a great conversation, and I think you'll enjoy it.

Show Notes

What femTech means in Japan

Why its hard for men to invest in femtech -- even when they want to

The transformation of femtech in Japan

Massive social and political support does not always translate to sales

How Japanese incumbents (still) stifle innovation

The core challenge in introducing new innovation in Japan