RIEBセミナー

15:00 - 16:30

論題

International Entrepreneurship in 21st Century: The Case of Sri Lankan Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Japan

報告者

H. D. KARUNARATNE（東京大学東京カレッジ）

概要

In the 21st century, international entrepreneurship is defined by its deep integration with digital technologies and globalized value chains, radically lowering entry barriers while increasing the complexity of cross-border opportunities. This research examines the emergence and transformation of Sri Lankan immigrant entrepreneurs in Japan, a host economy grappling with a severe demographic crisis characterized by a shrinking workforce and rapid population aging. As of early 2026, Japan’s South Asian diaspora has grown to approximately 518,968 individuals—nearly seven times its 2012 size—including 79,128 Sri Lankan nationals. Against this backdrop, the expansion of immigrant entrepreneurship in Japan, alongside a corresponding surge in scholarly literature on the topic, has become increasingly evident and arguably inevitable.
Utilizing a mixed embeddedness framework, the research analyzes how entrepreneurial activity is situated within the interplay of macro-level Japanese policies (such as Startup Visas), meso-level ethnic networks, and micro-level individual human capital. The study investigates the mechanisms through which these entrepreneurs adopt Triple Bottom Line (TBL) sustainability strategies, balancing economic viability, environmental responsibility, and social contribution. The methodology employs a sequential mixedmethods design, beginning with a scoping review, followed by qualitative interviews with 100 Sri Lankan business owners, and culminating in a quantitative survey of approximately 200 firms. Findings indicate that Sri Lankan entrepreneurship in Japan has evolved from necessity-based manual labor in the 1980s and 1990s into sophisticated, opportunity-driven ventures. These businesses are primarily concentrated in the used-vehicle export sector (34%), followed by restaurants and grocery retail (22%), and the gem and jewelry trade (14%). In the Okachimachi gem cluster, Sri Lankan traders have established direct transnational linkages, bypassing traditional European intermediaries to supply authentic gemstones directly to Japanese wholesalers, thereby maintaining higher margins and guaranteeing origin. Strategic adoption of sustainability is driven primarily by internal factors, such as owner awareness and religious/ethical values—particularly Buddhist principles—rather than external regulatory pressure. However, significant barriers remain, most notably finance and cash flow constraints, alongside Japaneselanguage friction, which owners describe as a "hidden tax" on environmental upgrades. Social sustainability is practiced through diaspora-facing services, such as financing temples and festivals, and acts as a bridge for the cultural and linguistic acclimatization of new migrants.
Case studies highlight advanced sustainability commitments: the Sayuri Group operates solar power plants producing 9 megawatts of electricity monthly, while DimaLanka Co. Ltd has diversified into sustainable agriculture in Chiba Prefecture to address food safety and environmental stewardship. Despite these contributions, founders still face a "liability of foreignness," including bureaucratic rigidity and the long "time-to-trust" required by Japanese institutions. To advance regional revitalization in Japan, policymakers should expand Japanese language education facilities, so residents can qualify for support programs and formally recognize diaspora associations as trusted intermediaries for delivering Sustainable Development Goals. This research fills a vital gap at the intersection of sustainability literature and immigrant entrepreneurship within the unique Japanese context.

16:30 - 18:00

論題

Current State of Indian Economy: Navigating the Global Headwinds and Economic Security（仮）

報告者

Eri IKEDA (Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi)