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Hikaru Tomura

Hikaru Tomura

Founder & CEO of hackjpn; Forbes JAPAN columnist; cross‑border startup connector

hikaru_hackjpn
Mountain View, California, United States
Sakai / Osaka, Japan (birthplace / early life)
Joined October 2025
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Network

1K connections

Summary

Serial founder and operator focused on connecting Japanese talent and corporations with Silicon Valley startups. Tomura founded hackjpn (HACKJPN INC) and operates services such as datavase.io to evaluate startups and provide market intelligence and talent matching between Japan and the U.S. hackjpn+2
Writer and communicator: he contributes regular columns to Forbes JAPAN and speaks frequently about entrepreneurship, startup culture differences between Japan and the U.S., and practical advice for founders and students seeking global opportunities. forbesjapan+1
Early‑career resilience and Silicon Valley immersion: profiles describe a period of significant personal challenge after moving from Japan (including couch‑surfing/homelessness), followed by internships and mentorships in the Bay Area that shaped his focus on cross‑border education and startup ecosystems. techinasia+1
Active in investor / startup evaluation work and angel investing: public profiles and company materials indicate he runs or advises investor syndicates and has evaluated and listed dozens of portfolio companies through his services. forbesjapan+1

Work

Education

Projects

Writing

Profile / feature: "The story of a homeless entrepreneur in Silicon Valley" (Tech in Asia)

August 6, 2016

Profile piece about his early challenges and founding of Hack Jpn; covers his move to the U.S., early hardship, internships, and founding of his company.

Favicon imagetechinasia.com

Columns for Forbes JAPAN (author page)

Regular columns and articles on business, startups, and cross-border entrepreneurship published on Forbes JAPAN.

Favicon imageforbesjapan.com

Hobbies

Public speaking and media: frequent talks, YouTube and event appearances on entrepreneurship and startups. huntercity+1

Active social media presence focused on startups, investing, and startup education; writes and posts about entrepreneurship, AI, and hiring/talent. nitter+1