A new initiative called the Living Best Japan Gateway has been introduced by Living Best and Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) to assist international companies in the longevity, agetech, and health-technology sectors with entering the Japanese market. This program will support these companies in testing their solutions, forming partnerships, and expanding their operations. The Gateway’s debut will take place at the Kyoto Smart City Expo on October 8-9, 2026, at Keihanna Plaza, where selected companies will have the chance to showcase their products and connect with potential Japanese corporate partners through ATR’s extensive business-matching network. Notably, these companies may also qualify for ATR’s KGAP+ business-development accelerator, which commences its next cohort in December.
Central to this initiative is Living City Keihanna, an innovation hub focused on longevity, established through the collaboration between ATR and Living Best. The platform aims to connect international ventures with Japanese researchers, businesses, investors, care providers, and local communities, ensuring support beyond initial introductions or short-term pilot projects. Living Best will guide participating ventures in evaluating Japanese market demands, identifying potential partners for implementation and funding, validating products with end-users, and developing evidence to support broader commercial expansion.
Since 2021, Living Best has reviewed over 2,000 ventures from more than 40 countries, generating upwards of 17,000 assessments from Japanese consumers. This evaluation process is further enriched by insights from clinicians, care operators, investors, and policy experts. Dominic Carter, CEO and co-founder of Living Best, emphasized that the partnership aims to support international companies throughout the entire process of entering Japan, from market validation to implementation, funding, and eventual expansion.
Hiroyuki Suzuki, ATR’s Senior Executive Vice President and Representative Director, highlighted the strategic advantage of Keihanna’s research capabilities and its robust networks that span across industry, academia, government, and local communities. This combination is poised to facilitate the connection of overseas innovation with practical implementation within Japan. The Gateway is currently seeking applications from international ventures in the longevity, agetech, and health-technology fields that have market-ready products or are at an advanced development stage. Selection for participation will be conducted by Living Best and ATR, with the deadline for the October 2026 intake set for September 25, 2026.
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