Naofumi Makino

Naofumi (Nao) Makino serves as Director of the Startup Division at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), where he leads initiatives to support the global expansion of Japanese startups and strengthen cross-border innovation ecosystems. With more than two decades of experience at JETRO, Mr. Makino has held key leadership roles across Japan and overseas, contributing to trade promotion, investment facilitation, and startup ecosystem development. His international experience includes serving as Director General of JETRO Warsaw, where he conducted in-depth research on European startup ecosystems, particularly in the Nordic and Baltic regions. In Japan, he has played a pivotal role in regional innovation policy, including leading JETRO’s Kyoto office, where he helped develop the local startup ecosystem and supported initiatives such as the Kyoto Startup Visa to attract global entrepreneurs. Mr. Makino has also held senior positions in digital innovation and global strategy within JETRO, including Director of Digital Technology and Content, and Director of the Global Innovator Development Team, focusing on bridging Japanese innovation with global markets. He holds advanced degrees in law and international relations, including a Master’s degree from Kyoto University, an LL.M. from Leiden University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Tsukuba. He also passed Japanese Bar Examination (2012). Through his work, Mr. Makino continues to foster international collaboration and support high-growth startups in scaling globally, contributing to Japan’s role in the global innovation landscape.