Link: Japanese pension funds tiptoe into moonshot tech investments - The Japan Times

Beyond Next Ventures, based in Tokyo, boosted its latest startup fund by 56%, raising ¥25.7 billion ($160 million), largely due to increased interest from Japan's typically cautious pension funds. Of the total capital raised, 20% was sourced from annuities and other long-term investments. It's an early indication of the country's massive $3.3 trillion pension assets starting to penetrate the startup ecosystem. Yuma Saito, president of Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support, predicts that pension funds will persistently channel funds into startups, driven in particular by the potential of scientific and engineering innovations emerging from Japanese universities. Saito concluded, "Success comes down to returns. Japan has untapped technological strength which, backed by government support, is making deep tech attractive." #

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Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.