Japanese Investors Inject $38B Into European Tech, Focusing on Deep Tech and AI
Japanese investors have surged into European tech markets, committing €33 billion ($38.1 billion) since 2019—a stark rise from the €5.3 billion invested in the five years prior. The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement has catalyzed this trend, with corporate giants like Mitsubishi and Toyota leading cross-border deals.
Deep tech and AI dominate 70% of Japanese-backed transactions in 2024. Notable beneficiaries include UK autonomous driving startup Wayve and quantum computing firm Quantinuum. Investors are drawn to AI’s transformative potential in industries like logistics and finance, pairing capital with manufacturing expertise and strategic guidance.
Despite forecasts of a 2025 slowdown, Japanese interest in Europe’s tech ecosystem remains robust, driven by policy tailwinds and the region’s innovation pipeline.
