Where are the japanese startups?

What do you mean so few? If you expect the same hype you get from SV startups yeah it doesn't compare and also the language factor plays a big role there.

But there is a community and Japanese startups, at least the ones targeting Japanese market face unique challenges like Big companies not wanting to work with small/unproved startups.

Here's some resources that might introduce you some startups:

- http://www.disruptingjapan.com/

- http://www.startjapan.org/

- http://japanventureshow.com/

- https://hntokyo.doorkeeper.jp/

- http://www.tokyostartupevents.com/

(shameless plug) I work at a startup here: http://www.mytenten.com