Mitsui Chemicals Joins Counter Club Japan as Ambassador
2026.04.23
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Satoshi Ichimura) today announced that it has joined Counter Club Japan (CCJ) with an Ambassador role, supporting the newly established Japanese chapter of the global CVC (Corporate Venture Capital) community operated by Silicon Valley–based venture capital firm Counterpart Ventures.
Counter Club Japan brings together professionals at CVCs and New Business Departments from corporations across Japan to exchange practical insights on startup investments, co-creation with startups, organizational design, global expansion, and more. Launched in February 2026, the community has already attracted more than 300 registered members, with an official kickoff event scheduled for May 13th, 2026.
Counterpart Ventures is an independent venture capital firm headquartered in San Francisco and founded by former CVC professionals. The firm focuses on investments in and hands-on support for startups in areas such as AI, digital transformation, and deep tech, among others. Through their hosting of Counter Club, one of the world’s largest global CVC communities, Counterpart Ventures also supports the co-creation of businesses between startups and corporates.
CVC as a Core Growth Engine under “VISION 2030”
Mitsui Chemicals’ long-term business plan, VISION 2030, positions building solutions-based business models and pursuing business portfolio transformation as its core strategies.
CVC activities play a key role in these strategies. Following the launch of 321FORCE™, its first CVC fund established with Global Brain in 2022, Mitsui Chemicals launched 321Catalyst™, its second and independent CVC fund, in the United States in April 2025, with the aim to accelerate global co-creation of new businesses and products. Through close collaboration with its portfolio companies, Mitsui Chemicals aims to rapidly launch new businesses, thereby realizing business portfolio transformation.
Strengthening Open Innovation through CCJ
CCJ’s ambition for peer-driven learning and practical collaboration among innovation leaders resonates with the values Mitsui Chemicals has so far acquired through its CVC activities. Startup collaboration and new business creation often involve high levels of uncertainty and rapid changes. That’s exactly why Mitsui Chemicals views trusted communities such as CCJ—where corporate investors can share real-world experiences openly—as an important platform for advancing effective and scalable open innovations.
As an Ambassador, Mitsui Chemicals will actively share insights and case studies from its CVC and new business creation activities, while also learning from fellow members at CCJ. Through these efforts, the company hopes to contribute to the advancement of CVC and open innovation cultures among Japanese corporates.
Comments from Miho Tsukamoto, CCJ Ambassador, at 321Catalyst™ (Mitsui Chemicals’ CVC arm)
“We believe CVC-driven investment and startup collaboration are among the most powerful ways to bring breakthrough technologies into real-world use and thereby create lasting impact for mankind. I’m honored to be contributing to such meaningful innovations as part of Mitsui Chemicals. Through participation in Counter Club Japan, I look forward to sharing the excitement and challenges of CVC activities and helping catalyze new businesses and innovations emerging from Japan.”
Counter Club Japan Kickoff Event (Reference)
| Event Title | Counter Club Japan Kickoff Event |
|---|---|
| Date/Time | May 13th, 2026. Doors open 5:00pm, event starts 5:30pm and finishes 8:30pm |
| Location | Incubation CANVAS TOKYO (Kyobashi Edogrand, 2-2-1 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) |
| Attendance | CCJ registered members (limit 150 attendees) and media by invitation only |
