Spatial distribution of startups by business categories in Tokyo's 23 wards

Abstract

The increasing expectation for startups to drive economic growth has made the development of a robust "startup ecosystem" an economic agenda in Japan. Agglomeration of startups, both within the same and across different business categories, is considered to enhance the ecosystem. This study investigates the spatial distribution of startups in Tokyo’s 23 wards overall and by business category. We identified spatial concentrations of startups by kernel density estimation and business categories by co-occurrence network. While Shibuya stands out as a prominent hub, other areas also exhibit notable concentrations. Distinct spatial patterns across business categories suggest their unique locational preferences.