Backstory

Looking back on my life, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of “pushing boundaries”. I accredit this to my English tutor from Ohio when I was age 13. I grew up rural Chiba, surrounded by rice fields, and beyond the foreign language, his broader view on the world and his witty, sarcastic character were entirely new to me. We would debate about complex topics like "Are people shaped more by genetics or by environment?", while other times, we taught each other local slang. Through those conversations, my curiosity about the world grew - branching out in all directions like the limbs of a tree.

I still remember when he once said, “Hiro, you should go to the University of Tokyo.” At the time, purusing a university education- let alone Todai - wasn't a natural choice for me. But the fact that he believed in my potential gave me the confidence to pursue further. That belief continued to push me forward - when I commuted three hours each day to attend a distant high school, when I chose to study at a university in Tokyo, and later, when I took the leap to study abroad in France and Singapore as a working professional.

To me, working as a VC means believing in the potential of founders and helping them realize it. I’m deeply grateful to be aboard the ships they’re steering, and I strive to be a partner who helps push boundaries and build the future we have yet to imagine.

What’s a book, podcast, or movie that’s had a big impact on you - and why?

It’s not from a book or a movie, but there’s a quote that’s stayed with me for a long time: “Cool head, but warm heart.” It’s a phrase by economist Alfred Marshall, and something I try to embody in my work every day.

Before joining MPower, I worked at a startup during one of its most chaotic phases. That experience gave me a front-row seat to the pressure of decision-making under uncertainty, the challenges of a scaling team, and the loneliness I often saw leaders experience along the way.

That’s why I believe VCs need both: the clarity to assess opportunities with a cool, rational mindset, and the empathy to stand alongside founders - understanding their vision and supporting them through the highs and lows. That’s the kind of partner I strive to be.

About Hiro

After graduating from Hitotsubashi University, I began my career at Japan’s largest architectural design firm.

I later joined WeWork Japan in its early days, where I led financial planning and fundraising initiatives.Those days were a true startup rollercoaster, much like what’s portrayed in the show WeCrashed. I experienced firsthand the highs of hypergrowth, the pains in scaling an organization, and the messy reality behind news headlines. That chapter remains one of the most formative experiences in my career.

In 2023, I completed my MBA at INSEAD, which took me to both France and Singapore. Today, I continue to look beyond Japan and actively explore investment opportunities across Asia and Europe.