[astrange]

Startups being accepted in Japan is a very recent US-influenced phenomenon. In an earlier wave they were called "venture companies" and were completely distrusted - you were not considered proper members of society.

Similarly they have "indie games" in Japan now, even though they always had that (doujin games), but now they're more respectable.

(Of course, if you're doing a bitcoin startup you shouldn't be considered a proper member of society, more like a phone scammer.)