Singapore-Japan
Connect

Understanding the Japan Market: Opportunities, Realities & Business Pathways

A curated cross-border business forum and networking reception for Singapore-based women entrepreneurs ready to explore Japan as a market for growth.

Friday, 31 July 2026 · 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Cushman & Wakefield, Singapore

By Registration/ Invitation

A Forum Built for
Founders.

Women Beyond Borders: Singapore–Japan Connect is a curated cross-border business event that brings together Singapore-based women entrepreneurs, Japan-linked business voices, selected ecosystem partners, and private-sector stakeholders to explore Japan as a possible market for growth.

Held in the spirit of SJ60 (marking 60 years of Singapore–Japan collaboration), the event is designed to be founder-facing, commercially relevant, and relationship-driven.

Japan is often seen as attractive because of its scale, sophistication, and long-term potential, but it is also a market many founders do not fully understand. This event responds to that gap by combining practical market insight, founder experience, and business voices that can help participants better understand what engaging Japan may actually require:

✦ Introduce Japan as a realistic market for growth and exploration

✦ Share practical insight on trust-building, localisation, and business expectations

✦ Bring together founder, private-sector, and ecosystem perspectives in one platform

✦ Strengthen Singapore–Japan founder-facing exchange in the spirit of SJ60

✦ Create meaningful networking opportunities for women founders and partners

Event Agenda

A carefully curated half-day programme combining expert presentations, a founder fireside chat, and an advisory networking reception — all designed to give you practical, actionable insight on the Japan market.

The event closes with a structured networking reception where attendees can consult directly with ecosystem partners at dedicated advisory desks.

Hear from those that know

Japan

Our speakers bring together bilateral expertise, retail and real estate insight, legal and tax knowledge, PR and communications strategy, and lived founder experience of expanding into Japan.

Founder conversation: Real experience of expansion into Japan

Beyond Market Entry: How to Build a Retail Presence That Lasts in Japan

Doing Business in Japan: Legal, Tax & Compliance Essentials

Setting Up in Japan: What Foreign Businesses Need to Know

Launching with Visibility: Brand Positioning & Communications in Japan

Japan Expansion

Advisory Desks

These desks give participating founders direct access to practical advice and specialist guidance on entering and growing in the Japan market. Each desk serves as a focused consultation point where trusted ecosystem partners can speak directly with women entrepreneurs considering expansion into Japan.

Market Entry & Business Setup Desk

JETRO SINGAPORE

Practical guidance on setting up and entering the Japan market, covering business structure options, incorporation pathways, branch versus subsidiary models, distributor or agent arrangements, contract considerations, and basic legal, trademark, and IP readiness for foreign businesses.

11062b_f6ce848312f3466e912a4bd65aaec53f~

Legal, Tax & Regulatory Desk

A LAW FIRM (TBC)

Practical guidance on the legal, tax, and regulatory aspects of doing business in Japan — including compliance requirements, contracts, cross-border tax considerations, invoicing and accounting practices, consumption tax, financial reporting expectations, and key legal risks for foreign businesses.

Retail Market Entry Strategy Desk

CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD RETAIL TEAM

Practical guidance for consumer-facing brands exploring retail opportunities in Japan — including retail entry strategies, pop-ups and short-term activations, site selection, landlord expectations, and market validation approaches.

PR, Media & Brand Comm'ns Desk

SAELOUN ASIA / PR COLLECTIVE ASIA

Practical guidance on building visibility and brand presence in Japan — including launch communications, media engagement, storytelling, local market relevance, and building awareness through the right channels and narratives for Japanese audiences.

Build For The Right People

Primary Audience

Singapore-based women entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners exploring Japan as a future market or partnership opportunity.

Whether you are researching, preparing for market entry, or simply curious about Japan’s potential for your business, this event is designed for you.

~55

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

~15

PRIVATE SECTOR & BUSINESS REPS

Secondary Audience

Selected private-sector partners, Japan-linked business representatives, ecosystem organisations, bilateral stakeholders, and invited media. This is a curated, invitation-based event focused on meaningful engagement over volume.

~55

JAPAN-LINKED & ECOSYSTEM STAKEHOLDERS

10-20

INVITED GUESTS, PARTNERS & MEDIA

Under Mums@Work Asia

Women Beyond
Borders

Singapore-Japan Connect is an event under the initiative "Women Beyond Borders" created by Mums@Work Asia.

For women entrepreneurs who are ready to take their businesses beyond Singapore. Women Beyond Borders provides the connections, knowledge, and community to help you grow into new markets across Asia and beyond.

✦ Cross-border business networking

✦ Market expansion guidance

✦ International women entrepreneur community

✦ Workshops & mentorship for Women Entrepreneurs

Learn more about Women Beyond Borders >>

Ready To Explore Japan?

Whether you are a woman founder curious about Japan, a private-sector partner looking to connect with a curated audience, or an ecosystem organisation aligned with cross-border women entrepreneurship — there is a place for you at this event.

Singapore-Japan Connect

A Forum Built for Founders.