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





WASABI Apprentice~
Internship & Training Program for Japanese students in Singapore
Produced by WASABI Creation
Calling for Japanese students to participate in WASABI Apprentice,
an experiential learning program to test your limits, acquire business skills,
build your network, and explore unlimited opportunities in Singapore.
Make your student life an extraordinary experience from the rest.
The Concept
・Learning how to fish, not just receiving the fish
・Experiential learning: learning through doing, first hand experience
・Getting out of your comfort zone ・Test your limits
・It is OK to fail, Learn from failure and Never Give Up
・A lifetime experience: create your own life stories

The Mission
"To work with WASABI Creation’s founder and a diverse team to plan, organise & execute:
WASABI Insight, a social-professional networking event on the most burning
business topics for local, expatriate, and Japanese professionals in Singapore."
And/ Or
WASABI Discovery, a casual presentation and meet-up event for the world to make
new discovery about Japan's culture, tourism, latest happenings and its people.
Past Events
The Program

Orientation
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Briefing session on the company’s business, history, mission, and vision
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Familiarisation of the office facilities
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Reconfirm the objective of the program and expected end result
Team Building
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Form teams to serve different function of the project
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Assigning roles and responsibilities of the participants
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Team outing and fun activities
Seminars
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Basic business skill for working professionals
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Japanese business manner
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Project & event planning and management
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Business culture differences between Japan & Singapore
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Sales & marketing
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Sponsorship proposal
The Team
・Project Director
・Assistant Director
・Marketing Team
・Partnership & Sponsorship Team
・Guest Relation Team
・Operation Team

Project & Event
Management
・Research & Brainstorming
・Making proposal
・Planning & Setting Milestones
・Preparation
・Risk Management
・Marketing & Sales
・Sponsorship
・Project execution
・Review & Report
・Follow up
Client Meetings
Join in clients meeting with founder
to learn about the company’s business, clients’ needs, market demands,
and challenges
The Operation
WASABI Apprentice program last for 4 weeks.
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 1000~1900
Off on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (except for during events)
Examples of daily activities:
・Reporting to office
・Daily morning meeting for team
・Individual work on the project
・Clients/ partners meetings
・Training seminars
・Lunch (1hour)
・Company visits
・Attending events, example:
Participants will report to Tong, founder of WASABI Creation, who will be
the mentor for this program. A daily meeting will be held for decision-making,
delegation of tasks to participants, reporting and monitoring of progress,
and problem solving. Each team will have their own meetings and operation at
their own timing. The team will be given a lot of room for creativity and flexibility,
as well as accountability for the success of the project. While it is going to be a
challenging and tough mission, everyone should have fun, learn, and
make a different at the end of the project.

Take-Aways
Acquiring Skills on:・Planning・Organising・Operation
・Project Management ・Communication・Presentation・Negotiation
・Problem Solving ・Team Building・Marketing・Networking・Resourcefulness
・Mind Changing Experience ・Dare to try・Dare to fail・Dare to make a difference
・Adaptive to new environment・Test your limit・Impossible? I’m possible
Requirements
・Minimum 4 weeks participation
・Adequate English language skill for communication & team discussion
・Skills & experiences needed for specific positions
・Passionate about life, learning, and self improvement
・Self-motivated with self-initiatives
・A leader & Team player
・Love challenges・Responsible & Forward thinking
・Creative & Innovative
・Never say die spirit

Travel & Accommodation
Participants are to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements in Singapore. WASABI Creation can give some advice on accommodation and living in Singapore after adequate research has been done by the participant.
Program Fee
SGD$3000 (tax included, about 240000JPY)
*Includes training program & office workspace only.
*Does not include Travel & Accommodation, local transportation, and meals
Application process
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Submit the form below with all necessary information
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Send your resume to hi@wasabicreation.com
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Interview & consultation through web conferencing
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Payment of deposit for confirmation (half of total amount)
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Conform accommodation in Singapore
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Pre-departure preparation through research & study
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Arrival in Singapore
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Commencement of program

Office Environment
WASABI Creation’s office is a coworking space, Workcentral located 2min by foot from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, which is only 2 stations from Orchard Road, next to City Hall and Raffles Place, in the heart of Singapore downtown.
Workcentral is a spacious coworking space with open style desk space, a café, lifestyle spaces, printing room, and private meeting rooms.
You will be able to meet other members of the coworking space from other companies, such as in advertising, video production, consulting, coaching, marketing, and etc.
You will only need to bring your laptop computer, wifi and electricity are readily available.








What do the interns say?
![]() Mitsunori ItoHitotsubashi University Economics Jan~Apr 2017 (4 months) 仕事に関してはかなり幅広く様々なことを経験できます。小さい会社であるためトンさんのすぐそばで働け、逐一フィードバックをもらえるのが最大の魅力です。いかにして一歩 先を読み動くか、細かい点にまで気を利かせられるか、という社会人として必須な能力を辛抱強く指導してもらえます。また、日本が外からどう見えているのか、今まで気が付かなかった視点を与えてくれ、日本の抱える問題、今後どう変わるべきなのか、大きな視点を持って日本と自分のキャリアについて考えられるようになりました。トンさんは私をただのインターンとして扱うのではなく、ちゃんとためになるように教育してくれる方です。仕事以外にもこれまでの経験を沢山話してくれ、周りに流されて生きていくのではなく自分の生きたい人生を歩むために何をして食っていくのか、楽しいことをして生きていくためにどうすればいいのか、自分の頭で考えなくてはならないという当然のことにも気がつかされました。 | ![]() Seita TsunoRikkyo University Economics Jan~Mar 2017 (3 months) 僕は当初、アジアでのインターンシップを通して、自分の将来の方向性を決めようと思っていました。そういった理由から、多くの仕事を任せてもらい、多くのビジネスマンとの接点をもつことができると考えたため、WASABI Creationでインターンをしようと考えました。実際に三か月インターンをしてみて、初めに思っていたよりもはるかに多くの仕事を行わせてもらい、また、様々な人と関わることが出来ました。今回のインターンシップを通 じて、自分がいかに今まで甘えてきたかと思うと同時に、自分には様々な選択肢があり可能性があると感じました。インターンをする前までは、海外で働くことや起業することなど全く考えていなかったのですが、トンさんやシンガポールで働く様々な起業家やビジネスマンの方々の話を聞いてくうちに自分の世界が広がり、世間一般で言われてるようにただ日本で就職する以外の多くの道があるということを学びました。これから自分は何をしたいのか、を今回のインターン経験を活かし真剣に考えたいと思います。 | ![]() Eri TsujigamiKeio University Economics Aug 2016 (3 weeks) I feel that my biggest accomplishment at Wasabi Creation was proposing an event topic to Mr. Tong and actually getting to the point of inviting the speaker for it. I was able to work on this freely, without being given much instruction, which made it challenging, but at the same time all the more exciting and rewarding. I would like to thank Mr. Tong for giving me this precious opportunity and supporting us interns at all times. |
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![]() Nanako MiyaharaHosei University Faculty of law Aug 2016 (3 weeks) Tongさんは、基本的にちょっときつめにワークを私たちに与えました。本当に頑張らないと、そのデッドラインに間に合わないというようなギリギリのラインでした。その中で、自身がどういうふうに工夫して、その限られた短い期間でパフォーマンスを発揮するかということを必死に考えました。このような考え方をすることができるようになったのも、ちょっと厳しいスケジュール感で仕事を与えてもらっていたおかげだと思いました。これらのことは、今後私が就職してからとても生きてくる学びになっていると思うので、これからもWASABI Creationで学んだことをより発展させて、仕事をこなしていきたいと思います。 | ![]() Hiroyuki TanabeKeio University Faculty of Business and Commerce Sep 2016 (1 month) シンガポールは都市国家を形成する島国で、東南アジアで最も小さい国です。シンガポールを繁栄した国家にしようという共通の目標の下、複数の文化が調和をもって協調する他民族、他宗教国家を擁しています。主要な4つの民族、華人、マレー人、インド人、ユーラシアン人。英語を主要言語とする多言語社会で、上記の主要民族はそれぞれの母語を持ちます。 シンガポールのデータとして駐在員に最も住みやすい国、世界で最もビジネスを行いやすい国に選ばれています。また、教育方針としてバイリンガル 方針があります。これはシンガポール人に英語及び中国語、マレー語、タミル語、などが含まれる自民族の言語の両方の言語使用能力を持つよう奨励するものです。これは私が思うに、多民族国家であるがゆえに英語という共通言語を持つ必要性、また国として多様性を維持するための自民族言語の使用の奨励をするというところに意味があります。 | ![]() Yukino TsuchihashiSophia University Faculty of Liberal Arts: Sociology, International Relation Jun, Jul 2016 (1 month) WASABI Creationでのインターンには3つの目的:日本企業とシンガポール企業の文化の違いと関わりにおいての難しさを知る、様々な業界を知る、そしてビジネススキルをつけること、があり、この1ヶ月で全ての目的を果たすことができたことに満足しています。 日本文化とシンガポール文化の知識を高められたこと、トンさんの大らかな指導の元「仕事」について理解と深められたことがとてもためになりました。マルチ文化について知りたい方、全体のビジネスの仕組みを知りたいかたにはとっておきのインターンだと思っています。自分自身を押して様々な人とコミュニケーションをしたり、インターンについて深く知ろうという強い思いがあれば自身の考え方を変えるきっかけにもなると思います。 |
![]() Mayumi TakadaMeiji University Political Science and Economics Feb, Mar 2016 (3 weeks) I had a good experience during my internship with WASABI Creation because I could do a variety of tasks. I was glad that I could join many meetings and seminars which expended my network meeting people from different industries. Co-working space is interesting because I could make friends with members from other companies. I had the opportunity to join an event organised by JETRO and it was very interesting. | ![]() Xu LuluHokkaido University Aug, Sep 2015 (2 months) The manager Tong gave me a lot of opportunities to experience the working environment in Singapore both internally and externally and always encouraged me to try my new ideas. I also had the chance to interview CEO of Japanese companies to draft cover story on an online portal. I gained a deeper understanding of doing business in Singapore from the internship with WASABI Creation. | ![]() Kurumi TakayanagiShizuoka University Sep 2015 (2 weeks) WASABI Creation seems to be so accustomed to having interns, as we immediately talked about what I wanted to do for the internship when I first met with Mr. Tong. I was delighted that he gave me works with much responsibility, such as translation and contacting business partners, which I became motivated. Beyond work, being able to listen to his experiences in Japan and his thoughts on current businesses were interesting, making me feel like working abroad |