Japan’s Global Trust Networks Secures JPY 3bn Funding Round to Scale Support Services for Foreign Residents
Global Trust Networks (GTN), a Tokyo-based provider of comprehensive life-support services for foreign residents in Japan, announced the completion of the first close of a funding round totaling approximately ¥3 billion (USD $19 million). The transaction comprises a combination of third-party allotment of shares, debt financing from financial institutions, and secondary share transfers. The fundraising process remains ongoing, with a second close scheduled.
The funding round was led by venture capital firms Globis Capital Partners (via Globis Fund VII, L.P.) and Minerva Growth Partners (via Minerva Growth Partners II LP). Additional equity participants included Dual Bridge Capital, Nissay Capital, M3, and Hiroshima Venture Capital. Bank credit facilities were provided by MUFG Bank.
Strategic Capital Allocation
GTN plans to deploy the proceeds to accelerate product development, broaden its service ecosystem, and expand its operational infrastructure:
- Service Expansion: Building upon its core real estate guarantor and telecommunications businesses, GTN will expand into recruitment, fintech, healthcare, and financial services. Capital will support pre-arrival preparations, post-arrival logistics, personal loans, and insurance products tailored for foreign workers, leveraging GTN’s proprietary credit risk database established through its rent guarantee operations.
- Platform & AI Integration: GTN is accelerating the development of a unified cross-service platform. The integration of artificial intelligence aims to optimize data utilization, improve response times, and scale its 24/7 multi-language consultation service.
- M&A and Talent Acquisition: The firm plans to pursue strategic M&A opportunities to expand its core market share and recruit technical and operational talent across product design, engineering, and execution.
Market Context & Operations
The capital injection comes as Japan faces demographic contraction and labor shortages, driving foreign resident numbers beyond 4.12 million.
Founded in 2006 by CEO Hiroyuki Goto, GTN operates as an integrated service platform catering to foreign workers, corporations, educational institutions, and local municipalities. To date, the company has served over 700,000 clients and handles more than 200,000 lifestyle support inquiries annually across 25 languages. Approximately 70% of GTN's workforce consists of foreign nationals representing around 20 countries.
Norbert Gehrke
