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2 clusters · 5 sources · 28 days · First seen · Last updated

Ocean startup funding for Japan tax refund transition

Overview

Tokyo-based startup Ocean is securing Series A funding to support the transition to Japan’s new consumption tax exemption system. The regulatory shift, scheduled for November 2026, will move from a point-of-sale discount model to a refund-based system where tourists apply for tax returns after purchase.

In mid-September, Ocean completed the first close of its Series A round with participation from the ONE-JAPAN Tourism Fund and Dual Bridge Capital. By October, the company raised approximately 500 million yen through a second close involving Yamato Holdings’ KURONEKO Innovation Fund 2 and Shizuoka Capital.

The capital is intended to strengthen the ‘Ocean Tax Refund’ platform, which enables travelers to process refunds online via smartphones and social media apps like WeChat and LINE. The platform aims to minimize operational burdens for retailers by managing tax authority data transmission and supporting merchants through the regulatory transition.

Entities

OCEAN · Yamato Holdings · Bluefin Partners · Z Venture Capital · Shizuoka Capital

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Ocean raises 500 million yen to support Japan's new tax refund system

    Ocean has raised approximately 500 million yen in Series A funding, supported by Yamato Holdings, to provide a digital tax refund platform ahead of Japan's upcoming consumption tax system reform.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Ocean secures Series A funding for tax-free shopping platform

    Ocean has secured Series A funding to develop its ‘Ocean Tax Refund’ platform, preparing for Japan’s 2026 shift to a refund-based tax-free system for inbound tourists.

Sources

lnews.jp · prtimes.jp · thebridge.jp · traicy.com · travelvoice.jp