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
2020 Projects
Educational Projects
Overseas study tour in Singapore
Overseas education & internship program for MBA students from India
January 2020
Every year, WASABI Creation hosts several groups of students from India for their overseas education & internship program in Singapore. Luckily, in January before all the boarders closed, we hosted a group of 28 MBA students from Suryadatta Institute of management and communications, Pune India. Over a week-long program, the students worked in groups on research and making proposals to 3 Singapore SMEs in areas such as business development, overseas market expansion to India, Indonesia, and Japan.
They attended a lecture on Lean Startup at Block71, the heart of Singapore's startup community. The students also visited interesting places such as Unilever Headquarter, Google, Singapore City Gallery, Tiger Beer Factory, and some sightseeing too.
Virtual Learning Program in Singapore
Going Online! Virtual Entrepreneurship Workshops for Japanese Students
July 2020
It's disappointing that overseas study tours all come to halt due to travel restrictions globally, but nothing will stop students from learning. Together with our education partners, we have started Virtual Entrepreneurship Workshops for various Japanese universities. A breakthrough in our program is that the workshops are conducted 100% in English by Singaporean instructors with minimal Japanese support. Certainly, it was challenging for many, yet being able to communicate your business ideas to an international audience would be the prerequisite for doing overseas business.
Find out more (Japanese) on what are the topics, methodology, and online collaborative tools we use for identifying problems, formulate ideas, building prototypes, and pitching, all happening in the virtual space.
Project Consulting
New Market Entry Consulting & Support
Introducing Kyoto's TeaCoffee to Singapore, KyoChaCoffee!
Nov 2020
After WFHing for the whole of 2020 and most likely we will continue into 2021, we have found a soul drink for all of us. Famous for its tea in Uji Kyoto and unique coffee culture in Japan, KyoChaCoffee is the perfect fusion of both premium Japanese tea & coffee. Yes, it is a blend of Houji tea, Sen tea, Mugi tea, or Ban tea together with coffee roasted in Kyoto in the best ratio, after two years of R&D. It is something perfect for you and your family for if you love tea & coffee. Fussing the two together is a totally new experience brought to you from Kyoto.
Follow our Instagram @getmusubi_japan for upcoming Pop-up store and make your orders there.
Currently, it is also available at Flor Patisserie at Duxton Hill.
Check out all the reviews from international medias:
Her World
Nagi Kyoto’s Tea X Coffee Blends Gives Yuan Yang A Japanese Twist
The Straits Times
Japanese take on yuan yang with Nagi Kyoto's Tea x Coffee blends
Influencer Marketing
Micro-influencer marketing (Singapore)
Micro-influencer Marketing for Japan tourism & train travel
March ~ June 2020
Despite the travel lockdown, true travelers never stop sharing and exchanging travel tips through social media.
WASABI Creation supported West Japan Railway Company (JRWest) in promoting West Japan travel as a way to raise awareness of the JR West Pass for travellers who are only travelling in Western parts of Japan. More than 60 micro-influencers responded to the campaign and posted throwback photos of their past traveling in Western Japan with attractive write-ups. A total of 300,000 followers have been reached through the campaign with 13,000 total engagement.
Micro-influencer marketing (Singapore)
West Japan Travel Give Away Contest!
March 2020
Just ギリギリ before the travel lockdown, WASABI Creation supported West Japan Railway Company (JRWest) in a Give Away Contest where JR West Passes are given to a few lucky bloggers and Instagramers from Singapore to travel all of West Japan as they wish.
For example, this is what one blogger alone had done for the trip: Kyoto Kimono experience, Arashiyama Rilakkuma Sabo, Gion Sweets and Sakura trees, Tea Ceremony experience, TOEI Kyoto Studio Park, Toei Eigamura, Stopover at Osaka for the night, Maiko Makeover Experience, Kinosaki Onsen, Hello Kitty Shinkansen, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway, Nara Deers, Nara Hopping 4 cities (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara) in a day with JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kyoto Authentic Samurai Sword Experience, Craft Circus in Awaji, GRAND CHARIOT Hokuto Shichisei 135 °, Naruto x Boruto Shinobi Zato, Hello Kitty Show Box......etc......
Of course, also lot of food, shopping, and tons of photos and stories.
Films & Videos
Subtitle translation & Copywriting
Singapore Award-winning Animation Film, Subtitle support
June 2020
WASABI Creation worked with award-winning Singaporean Animator & fimmaker, Mark Chee by providing Japanese subtitle for his latest animation work, GUNKWORLD.
GUNKWORLD is a short film about a horror cult cartoon series on TV where the main characters: Gunkman, Sallysweets and Roboji, are cute monster schoolchildren who terrorize human characters. Outside of the TV show, GUNKWORLD begins to advertise its brand through commercials and merchandise, which quickly gains popularity at an unholy rate.
With our Japanese translator & copywriter who is familiar with the manga/ anime sub-culture of Japan, we are able to share Mark's work with the Japanese audiences by providing Japanese subtitles for this Japanese influenced, made in Singapore animation.
More about GUNKWORLD
Watch it HERE.
New Product Development
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New Product Development: Japanese Traditional Crafts
Putting a piece of Japanese art on the wrist~ Custom designed Watchstraps
Launched in 2018, 47Ronin focuses on custom designed and handcrafted watchstraps using a combination of leather, Japanese textile fabrics, and other traditional materials from Japan. It has gathered a niche following globally in a short period of time among watch collectors and fashion enthusiasts. This year, the Singapore brand has collaborated with over 30 watch brands around the world, and was featured in 20 local and international medias such as The Business Times, CROWN, and publications from Japan, Hong Kong, France, Taiwan, UK, etc.
47Ronin is also actively collaborating with other international artists, such as painters, sneaker artists, watch designers, tattoo artists, tailors, shoe makers, photographers, and graphic designers.
Instagram @47ronin_watchstraps