Guest Speaker
Business Seminar
For Osaka Innovation Hub: Expanding startup businesses in Singapore
Sep 2018
20 startup entrepreneurs and students from Osaka Innovation Hub visited WASABI Creation as part of their one week study tour in Singapore. Tong (Founder, CEO), together with Yuta Morita (Intern, SMU MBA student) conducted a seminar for the group on how they can expand their businesses from Japan to Singapore. They covered topics such as incorporation in Singapore, Singapore's demographic, consumer behaviour, influencer marketing, popup store marketing, etc. The participants were very interested in these topics and asked many questions such as "What are the common difficulties and errors Japanese companies have when doing business in Singapore." Tong was glad to have shared his experiences and expertise in these areas.
Japanese Lessons
For foreign domestic workers & caretakers
Sep 2018
WASABI Creation was requested by a nursing training school to conduct Japanese lessons to its students comprising of foreign domestic workers and caretakers. The students are attending the school to step up their skills in nursing care for the elderly. As Japan is seriously facing the hit of aging population, and lack of manpower in providing care to the elderly, they have opened up working opportunities in Japan to foreign caretakers.
In view of this, these foreign domestic workers are trying out learning Japanese to equip themselves with the language skill that will enable them to work in Japan in the future.
Guest Speaker
Seminar to Ryokoku University: How Singapore's policies have shaped a multiracial and international society.
2 Sep 2018
A group of 40 students from Ryokoku University, Japan visited WASABI Creation as part of their educational tour in Vietnam and Singapore. WASABI Creation founder, Tong conducted a seminar on Singapore policies that have shaped the country's multiracialism, and built an international society.
More and more Japanese companies realise the need to venture overseas market as its domestic market continue to string due to aging population and depopulation, however there is a lack of talent within Japan who has the experience, skills, and know-how to bring business across boarders. We hope the seminar will be able to share with the students some ideas and tips on how to be a global talent.
Guest Speaker
Seminars to Business Schools in Delhi, India
Aug 2018
WASABI Creation was invited by our partner, Intraversity in Delhi, to conduct talks to students of various business and management colleges in India. Over the week, we visited and met students from Jaipuria School of Business, JK Business School, Institute of Technology And Sciences, and Accurate Institute of Management & Technology. We shared with the students about our business, market trends in Japan and Singapore, and answered the students' questions on entrepreneurship.
WASABI Creation is also in talks with the schools to work with our partner in bringing students to Singapore for educational tour and internship.
Guest Speaker
"How SMU MBA Students can prepare themselves in working with the Japanese?"
6th Jul 2018
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong was invited by SMU MBA Class to speak at "Japanese Business Night". Tong shared about his experiences when he was working as a fresh graduate in Japan, and talked about Japanese business culture that is unique and special to non-Japanese people.
Tong also talked about basic Japanese business etiquette, such as exchanging business cards, and seating positions for Japanese business meetings. The MBA students shown great interest with many questions.
The event ended with a party serving Sushi for everyone.
Entrepreneurship Training Camp 2nd edition
"Partnership with SAI International College Bubhneshwar, India"
June 2018
WASABI Creation hosted 8 Indian students from SAI International College Bubhneshwar over 4 days for an intensive Entrepreneurship Training Camp at WASABI Creation's office. The students worked in groups of 2 on various topics such as coworking space business, India market entry, Japanese F&B market research, as well as overseas travel trends for India.
An extensive research in in these were done by the students, who also came up with creative proposals to implement new business into the fast growing market. Many presentations and discussions were held with the students to finalise the proposal.
At the end of the program, each student received a certificate of participation for their enthusiasm during the program.
WASABI Consulting
"What can Japanese students do to become international professionals?"
16th Mar 2018
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong was contacted by a group of students from Tokyo University, who are interested to learn about doing business internationally, as they planned their self-funded trip to Malaysia and Singapore. A sharing session was conducted over web conference, where Tong answered questions from the students, shared his own experiences, and gave advises to the students what they can do to groom themselves into international professionals.
Here are the reviews and comments from the students.
WASABI Insight vol.10
Business in Japan~
"Japanese Business Culture & Manners"
1st Mar 2018
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong held a seminar sharing his experiences and insights on doing business in Japan, in particular on the topic of "Japanese Business Culture & Manners".
Tong shared from his own personal experience overs the years while he has been working in Japan, and doing business with Japanese companies. As he grew up and went through the education system in Singapore, knowing the language didn't seem to have prepared him enough to work in Japan as a fresh graduate. Tong talked about the episodes he had encountered all these years, and cover some of the basics about "Japanese Business Culture & Manner".
Topics:
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Japanese business culture 101, how are the Japanese thinking?
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Exchanging business cards
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Visiting & hosting a Japanese company
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Useful Japanese expressions for business
More information: Business in Japan~ "Japanese Business Culture & Manners"
Guest Speaker
The Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, Singapore (CLAIR, Singapore)
Feb 2018
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong was invited by The Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, Singapore (CLAIR, Singapore) to share about WASABI Creation's business and its expertise in helping Japanese companies go global
Tong shared about his past, present, and future projects on how WASABI Creation is bridging Japan, Singapore, and the rest of Asia in terms on Business, Culture, and Tourism. In particular, Tong talked about his observation of how many Japanese companies are facing difficulty in presenting their products to the local markets overseas, and what could be so the solutions to better communicating with local consumers and making online connections for building relationships.
About CLAIR, Singapore
Education (Japan)
Overseas study tour in Japan
NUS Overseas College entrepreneurship overseas mission in Nagoya
Dec 2019
WASABI Creation supported NUS Overseas College (NOC) in planning, coordinating, and facilitated their overseas study mission in Nagoya. NOC is an entrepreneurship program organised by NUS Enterprise from 18 years ago, where students join startup companies in Singapore, as well as overseas for 6 months to learn the skills of being an entrepreneur. The NOC programme has successfully produced many entrepreneurs through the year. Coincidentally, WASABI Creation's founder, Tong is a graduate of the same programme 10 years ago. It was an honour to be able to support NOC's first program in Japan as an alumni.
Students from NOC visited museums & factories such as Toyota, Denso, Brother, Nagoya University, as well as numerous startups, including student startups in Nagoya.
Guest Speaker
Global Venture Habitat, Osaka
Nov 2017
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong was invited by Global Venture Habitat which is run by Sunbridge Venture, supporting startup companies in Japan.
Tong shared about his past, present, and future projects on how WASABI Creation is bridging Japan, Singapore, and the rest of Asia in terms on Business, Culture, and Tourism. In particular, Tong talked about his interest in Japanese traditional crafts, and his ideas on developing new products for the modern global market. This could be done through international collaboration between carftmen and makers in Japan and those overseas.
The participants are working professionals from all walks of life, who are interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. Some of them are planning their next career switch, while some are embarking on their passion with new projects
Guest Speaker
Ritsumeikan University MBA Class, Osaka
Nov 2017
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong was invited by the professor of Ritsumeikan University MBA Class as a guest speaker at the Umeda Osaka Campus.
Tong shared about his working experiences when he was working in Japan as a fresh graduate, as well as his business experiences in Singapore as he worked on various projects and served different clients in bridging Japan and Singapore.
The students also actively asked many questions about Singapore, especially on introducing Japanese products to the Singapore market, such as about consumer behaviours in Singapore.
Tong also shared about his thoughts on entrepreneurship, and his experience as a student entrepreneur when he was in university.
Workshops
7th International Workshop Festival~ Doors
Workshop for everyone in Osaka, August 2013
7th International Workshop Festival~ Doors is co-organized by Art Complex 1928 and Osaka City to promote active learning & exposure to different cultures from different countries. More than 1000 workshops have been conducted since the program had started 7 years ago, together with more than 100 types of different workshops, participants can learn something new while having fun at these workshops. All the workshops are held in 3 different locations across Osaka, each participant pays only 500yen for a 90min workshop of their choices.
WASABI Creation sourced for and coordinated 4 instructiors from Canada (Yoga), USA (Personal branding), Taiwai (Latin dance), and Japan (Japanese dance) to conduct workshops at the 7th International Workshop Festival Doors.
WASABI Creation~ International Event Design in Kansai Japan
WASABI Creation~ International Event Design in Kansai Japan
WASABI Creation~ International Event Design in Kansai Japan
WASABI Creation~ International Event Design in Kansai Japan
Japan Traditional Industries
Kyoto Kitayama Cedar~ Harvesting Workshop
The Kitayama Mountains north of Kyoto city produce the cedar, called ‘Kitayama Sugi’ used to build traditional Japanese ‘sukiya’ architecture. It has a 600 year history, making it the oldest forestry culture in the world. In addition to being unique and producing exquisite wood, Kitayama Forestry is very environmentally friendly.
This cultural heritage has largely been lost as Japan has adopted mass produced housing, leaving Kitayama and other traditional Japanese forestry products to fall into disuse. Fortunately, this has begun to change in recent years as some Japanese rediscover their own culture, and export opportunities have arisen.
Together with the company, we organized a visit to the cedar plantation forest to see how cedar trees are being harvested and processed, and also learn about the history and characteristics of "Kitayama Sugi", the cedar trees of Kyoto.
WASABI Creation is the producer of this event.
Japan Traditional Industries
Nishiki Textile Cultural Exchange Event
錦を観ながら交流会
Expereince Nishiki textile of Kyoto, September 2011
NIshiki was once a very important textile industry in Nishijin Kyoto where it produced beautiful Kimonos for the whole of Japan. Although many had closed down due to a drop in Kimono demand in modern days, there are some factories that survive over many centuries and continue to produce fabulous textile in the most tradtional way. There are one of those few places that reserves and continues the glory of Nishiki Textile in Kyoto.
WASABI Creation organized a tour to one of these long standing Nishiki textile factories in Nishijin Kyoto for foreigners living in Kyoto. The 8th generation company president gave a lecture on the history of Nishiki, while participants also had the chance to have a hands on experience to make Nishiki textile with those tradtional weaving machines.
Japanese Traditional Crafts
Japanese Paper Doll Making Workshop （和紙人形）
A cultural experience, July 2011
Japanese paper (Washi) is popular for its high quality and brilliant colors. The famous Origami is made out of these special Japanese papers. At a higher level, these Japanese papers can be made into Japanese dolls.
WASABI Creation invited a Japanese Paper Doll master to give a one-day workshop to a group of foreigners who are deeply interested in Japanese culture. Furthermore, the workshop was held in a 100 year old cafe with a Japanese room, making it an authentic Japanese cultural experience.
WASABI Creation is the organizer of this Japanese paper doll making workshop.
Japan Traditional Industries
PAGONG Kyoyuzen ~
Kyoto Traditional Dyeing Workshop
A company tour and hands-on workshop was organized for PAGONG, a Kyoto based traditional textile dyeing company, in order to introduce this Japanese traditional craft to a group of 20 foreign visitors. It allowed a deeper understanding of Kyoyuzen for foreign visitors and also promoted such trade to potential customers outside of Japan. Foreign participants followed the instruction of the experienced craftsmen and produced their own prints using the Kyoyuzen technique.
A tea reception with the company's president was also held after the workshop. The president shared about the company's history, the dyeing process, and how the business has transformed itself to meet market changes and the newest trends in the textile industry.
WASABI Creation is the producer of this event.
Tourism Seminar
Kyoto Tourism Symposium
A deep Kyoto experience for inbound tourists, November 2013
Kyoto is famous as the old capital of Japan where foreign tourists can discover many traditional culture and heritage treasures in this unique part of the world.
WASABI Creation organized this Kyoto Tourism Symposium to gather all kinds of travel experience providers to give a presentation about their businesses and discussed about challenges they face. These travel experience providers include Ikebana, Japanese tea ceremony, Koto (Japanese music instrument), theater performances, Nishiki textile, Japanese cooking, Kyoto walking tours, and many more. This symposium also allows the participants to learn more about the tourism industry of Kyoto.
Architecture Tour
Kyoto Sanjo Architecture Tour
A historical walk in Kyoto, November 2013
Sanjo is one of the most prominent roads in Kyoto. Located in the heart of Kyoto City, Sanjo is where many shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and theatres are located. It is also a place that reflects the lives of people in Kyoto. Over the centries, Sanjo has also transformed itself into the modern world while keeping many things unchange and hidden, forming a time capsule with rich histroy and interesting stories.
Together with Kyoto Architecture Society and Sanjo Association, WASABI Creation co-organized this Kyoto Sanjo Architecture Tour for 30 participants. They include foreigners living in Kyoto who have huge interest in the history of the city, but had little chance to learn about it. This tour provided a precious experience for everyone to explore the many hidden corners of Sanjo that tells many unknown stories.
Factory Tour
Suntory~ The Premium Malts
The best beer in the world from Kyoto, October 2013
Suntory, The Premium Malts is considered as one of the best beer in the world, loved by many Japanese as well as everyone in the world. Its factory is located 20min by train from JR Kyoto station, where you can spend an hour to join a guided tour of the factory, and have beer tasting together with the guide.
WASABI Creation organized this factory tours for 20 Japanese and foreigners from Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe to find out about the manufacturing processes of The Premium Malts, and to find out the reason why it tastes so good.
Tourism Research Tour
Tour de Osaka
A monitor tour for international students, November 2012
Ministry of Tourism invited 20 foreign students to join a tour in OSAKA to give them a special experience in the second biggest city in Japan. They tried out famous Osaka food at Shinsekai（新世界）, and went into a time capsule of Japan’s entertainment in the 50s. They also visited Smart Ball（スマートバール）, a game center of the past created before video game is born. There is also Tsutenkaku （通天閣）, a metal tower built in 1912 during the Meiji period, which was the tallest structure in East Asia then. Last but not least, the students explored a historical shopping arcade called Janjanyokocho （じゃんじゃん横丁）that was built in the post war period.
Surveys were regularly done for each places of interest, including the ease of travel, sufficiency of English materials, and service quality of the staffs.
WASABI Creation was tasked with the recruitment of international students as participants and assisted in the tour to ensure smooth execution of the programme.
Tourism Research Tour
Tour de Biwako, Shiga Prefecture
A monitor tour for international students, October 2012
A monitor tour around Biwako Lake in Shiga prefecture was organized by Shiga Prefecture and the Ministry of Toursim. About 40 international students from Kansai area were invited to participate in this tour to find out how to improve tourism in the area. Places of visit included ferry rides on Biwako Lake, temples and shrines, Biwako Valley, and Hikone Castle. Surveys were regularly done for each places of interest, including the ease of travel, sufficiency of English materials, and service quality of the staffs.
WASABI Creation was tasked with the recruitment of international students as participants and assisted in the tour to ensure smooth execution of the programme.
Tourism Experience
Seasonal cycling event: Tour de Kyoto
Each year, many cycling events were organised in Kyoto for our community of foreign residence as well as Japanese friends to explore different places in Kyoto City. These cycling events are held in various time of the year, so that the participants can enjoy beautiful scenery that comes along in different seasons.
Tourism Experience
Dragon Boating Expereince, Biwako, Shiga Prefecture
A new travel experience, November 2012
WASABI Creation was invited to organize a Dragon Boating Experience Tour with a dargon boat team from Biwako of Shiga Prefecture. More than 40 foreigner and Japanese participated in the tour. It was the first dragon boating experience for many, whle it is also a totally new experience for others with the scenic view of Biwako and unique features along the coast.
WASABI Creation is the organizer of this Dragon Boating Expereince Tour.
Tourism Experience
White Water Rafting, Seta River, Shiga Prefecture
A new travel experience, October 2011
WASABI Creation organized a White Water Rafting Tour for a group of 30 foreigners living in and visiting Japan. Seta River is the only river flowing out of Biwako Lake, the biggest lake in Japan. It provides geograpical feature that is ideal for white water rafting, yet it is safe even for beginners. The tour is to promote such adventurous activities as a tourism experience for travellers who are seeking some excitment during their trip.
WASABI Creation is the organizer for this White Water Rafting Tour at Seta River.