Could you share more about your internationalisation programs and how they support tech businesses expanding globally?
“SusHi Tech Tokyo” is Tokyo’s signature global innovation and startup event which stands for ‘Sustainable High City Tech Tokyo’, aiming to create a sustainable city with cutting-edge technology. It brings together startups, investors and corporates from around the world to solve common urban problems through collaboration and open innovation. At the event, potential businesses with high social and economic impact are generated. The next SusHi Tech Tokyo will take place on 8-10 May 2025.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government also supports Tokyo’s Fintech and Deeptech startups to participate in overseas exhibitions and events to promote their business expansion globally.
Can you tell us about some of the startups you’re working with at the moment, and which ones you think could do well in Singapore?
We introduced five fintech startups from Tokyo to exhibit at Singapore Fintech Festival in 2024. These startups are eager to expand business in Singapore and have the potential to succeed. The five startups are as follows.
- Authlete, Inc.: A security component service provider
- Bee Informatica Sdn. Bhd.: Microfinance provider to SMEs in Malaysia
- Capy Inc.: A cybersecurity startup providing Bot protection tools and authentication solutions
- Caulis Inc.: Anti-money laundering service provider for financial institutions
- 400F, Inc.: Japan’s largest financial consultation service platform “Okaneko” and B2B financial DX and AI analysis provider
Singapore is known for its strong innovation ecosystem. Have you seen that in action? Are there specific programmes, events or partners you’d recommend to startups considering expansion into SG or looking to learn more about the tech community?
SWITCH is highly recommended for startups and ecosystem players to join. We value its impact, its scale, and the diverse connections it offers to business, government and academia.
Block 71 which is committed to supporting startups throughout their entire journey from entrepreneurial education to IP acquisition and commercialization, is also impressive. Its programs have produced significant results.
In March 2025, Block 71 opened its new office in Tokyo. TMG is excited to see what happens here. TMG and Block 71 have deepened our relationship through collaboration in events such as SusHi Tech Tokyo. We hope to work further together to support Tokyo startups as they expand globally in the future.
When startups from your country enter the Singapore market, what are some of the most common challenges or support needs they face? What more can be done in Singapore to help ease their market entry and accelerate their success?
Singapore has a business-friendly environment and a very supportive community. This makes it an ideal destination for companies that want to expand their business globally. However, the high cost of human resources, competitiveness in hiring skilled talent, and high office rents are some of the challenges that Tokyo’s startups face when entering the Singapore market.
Why should Singaporean startups explore your market as part of their own global expansion journey?
Tokyo is one of the world’s largest cities, with a (nominal) GDP of $1,118 billion (FY 2021), with high-quality human resources and the safest environment in Asia. At the same time, Tokyo is home to many large companies, universities, and research institutes, making it a destination with abundant opportunities for potential business partners and high-level human resources. There are also many small and medium-sized enterprises with world-class technologies.
In Addition, Japanese society values freedom and fairness. This provides an invaluable advantage for your business to develop continuously.
