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:
-
Japanese business culture 101, how are the Japanese thinking?
-
Exchanging business cards
-
Visiting & hosting a Japanese company
-
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
47RONIN is the first global residential coworking space in Japan! (According to us) We opened our doors in June 2013, and we already had many visitors from around the world, and coworkers (Ronins) who are global, talented, & entrepreneurial.
On 2nd Oct Wed, we will be having our first “Jelly” event. “Jelly” is a casual gathering at a place like coworking space for anyone to experience coworking, meet new people, & have fun. Members from other coworking spaces in Kyoto will be joining us too.
(Find out more about “Jelly” here. http://www.workatjelly.com/)
Hence, we are inviting members of any coworking space, or simply anyone interested in coworking to join us to do some work, meet new people, have some snacks & drink, and learn something new from some amazing presentations by some of our Ronin members.
Date & Time: 2nd Oct 2013 Wed
10am~3pm Coworking
(feel free to bring your laptop to work on your stuffs)
3pm~5pm Presentation & networking
(feel free to come & leave anytime.)
Cost: 500yen for all
Venue: 47RONIN~ Global Residential Coworking in Kyoto
Direction: http://www.47ronin.co/#!find-us/c1ja7
https://www.facebook.com/47ronincoworking
Jelly Kyoto @ 47RONIN
Experiencing Coworking
October 2nd 2013 Wednesday
Program
10am ~ 3pm: Experience coworking at 47RONIN (free coffee, Wifi, electricity)
3pm ~ 5pm: Presentation by Ronins & others (Pecha Kucha style 20x20)
-
Tong: 47RONIN, Global Residential Coworking in Kyoto
-
Hiro Shinohara: How I startup?
-
Yayoi Komori: Japan With You, Introducing Japan to the world with creative Youtube videos
-
Jon Levy: Singer Song Writer, Presentation & Performance
-
Hassan: a UK mangaka in Kyoto
-
Tokiko Uemura: Yamashina Time, a micro newsletter for the locals & more.
-
Kenji: Freelance Filmmaking. Can I Make A Living With A Camera?
-
Alexander Farrell: The Happy Freelancer, What makes freelancing a fulfilling and worthy career?
About the presenters
Tong
Ronin#0
International Event Designer, Networker
Founder, 47RONIN: Global Residential Cowowrking Space
Founder, WASABI Creation: international event design & management
Project Director, We Are One Japan: international community in west Japan
"I was born in Hong Kong, grew up & received my education in Singapore, & started my career & businesses in Kansai Japan. Now based in Kyoto, I believe being international is the key to success in this highly globalised world. "No one can stop globalisation. You can choose to have global collaboration or isolation." I define being international as being able to "communicate with the world", "be aware of happenings around the world", & "collaborate with people around the world". Hence, I am actively organising events & creating networks to help myself & others to become global talents & winners of globalisation."
Hiro Shinohara
"Macintosh made me a computer kid. And Netscape told me what should I do in my life.
I started my career as a freelance web developer when I graduated high school. Then 2 years later I founded my first company called "messaliberty" to handle bigger projects. As messaliberty, I got funded by angel investors and VCs to focus on in-house apps and online businesses.
After that, I started to work with some giant companies and international startups to help their product development, business development, team building and online marketing.
Until recently, I traveled a lot between Japan and Singapore to work for some startups. As a director or an advisor I helped to run an iOS app business, and a hosting business.
I failed a lot, and made a few success. And I've learned an important fact.
Life is short. But there're too many complicated stuff. I need to make it simple. That's what I'm doing right now."
Yayoi Komori
Ronin #5
Youtuber of Japanese culture.
Founder, JapanWithU
"I am a Youtuber and I introduce Japanese culture to the world. My YouTube channel started in 2011, and has now reached 9,000 subscribers and is still growing. My 7 years of PR experiences at global company opened my eyes to the world. I have to admit that non-Japanese people sometime hardly understand our customs, ways of thinking and culture ...etc, so I started JapanwithU! I explain about Japan very casually, but always try to focus on the insight of Japanese. I would love to collaborate with anyone who has similar passions and wish that this project will strengthen Japanese and overseas people's ties. I live in Osaka, but often drop in at 47RONIN, a very cozy but exciting place. Let's have a wonderful experience. "
Jon Levy
(Pronounced Leevee, Australia/ New Zealand), Ronin#4
Singer Song Writer
"Born and raised in Kyoto, Japan, Jon Levy is an Australian/New Zealander singer and songwriter. Primarily a guitarist, Jon’s independent debut release in 2009 “Half A World Away” combines his love for pop songwriting and pays tribute to the guitar stylings of Eric Clapton. Jon was accepted to Berklee College of Music on Scholarship in 2006 and began his studies majoring in Music Production and Engineering. Studying with fellow Kyoto native Tomo Fujita, who also taught the likes of John Mayer and Eric Krasno (Soulive,) Jon learned to find his style as a guitar player, heavily influenced by the blues and Tommy Emmanuel.
Graduating in 2009 Jon moved to Los Angeles, CA for two years to work as an artist and engineer/producer. Jon's recent material reflects his new love for Folk and Country music, the likes of James Taylor and Johnny Cash, while still maintaining flavors of his original influences like The Beatles and Sting."
Hassan: a UK mangaka in Kyoto
Hailing from London, England, Hassan Graham is an up and coming self-taught manga artist with a great passion for the artistic elements of the medium as well as the story telling both in the written form and the visual narrative. Graduated with an animation degree in the summer of 2011. Moved to Japan in winter that same year to pursue a greater understanding of the business and the culture, and a career as a professional manga artist.
Tokiko Uemura
"After graduating from Ritsumekan University, Tokiko has been a mathematic & IT teacher in junior high school, high school, and tuition centre SOWA. She also makes iPhone applications for educational purposes. Born and rised in Kyoto, she is going to start a local newsletter for Yamashina from next year. "
Kenji
(USA. Hawaii), Ronin#2
Assistant Language Teacher, Film Maker
Founder, Usolee
"Tong help me quit my job teaching English so that I could focus 100% on my passion: filmmaking. Well, at least that’s the plan. Currently I am still in the classroom and loving every minute of it. When the last bell rings and the school doors close I return to my home studio where I release my inner nocturnal beast. The remainder of the evening is usually spent feasting on creative endeavours.
My dream is to own a big ship and name her ‘Sensei.’ Basically, I will turn a big ship into one of the best learning environments in the world and staff the ship with the best of the best from every corner of the globe. "
Alexander Farrell
(USA), Ronin#7
Japanese to English Translator: News, Video Games, Manga
"I'm a freelance Japanese to English translator who has been living in Japan for over a decade. I know a lot about living and doing business in Japan, and I would be happy to share that knowledge with other members. What I hope to get out of being a Ronin is to meet and learn about people from diverse backgrounds and professions in order to expand my general knowledge and make friends."
This seminar is produced by WASABI Creation, “International Event Design by International People”. www.wasabicreation.com