Fukuoka City strengthens ties with Singapore through Business Attraction Seminar

With its tech talent and support from the government, the one-day event has built bridges to Japan’s innovation gateway.

Fukuoka City brought together business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs from technology, venture capital, and finance industries at the Business Attraction Seminar in Singapore. Held on 4 November 2025 with the Fukuoka City Government as the organiser, the event aimed to promote closer investment and innovation ties between the two cities whilst also highlighting Fukuoka as one of Japan’s fastest-growing innovation hubs. 

Fukuoka: Gateway to Japan

Fukuoka City is one of Japan’s fastest-growing urban centres, being a hub of innovation, talent, and cost efficiency in a strategically connected location. With a population of 1.67 million, it aims to evolve beyond a “branch-based” economy by banking on its strong academic and industry partnerships.

Whilst business costs in Fukuoka City are far lower compared to other cities such as Tokyo, it still maintains a high quality of life and offers companies an ideal launchpad for entering and expanding across the Japanese and regional markets. These were highlighted at the Business Attraction Seminar, giving an in-depth look at what Fukuoka has to offer. 

Speaking to Singapore Business Review, Matsuura Reiji of the Fukuoka City Government underscored the city’s compact ecosystem where academia, industry, and government work closely together, which makes it an ideal entry point into Japan for startups.

Fukuoka City strengthens ties with Singapore through Business Attraction Seminar  

“We have really comprehensive support for those entities that are coming into Fukuoka, from business matching and talent acquisition, supporting the opening of bank accounts and visa applications, and finding a place to live,” Matsuura said.

Beyond logistics, Fukuoka’s also promotes deeper collaboration between local and overseas companies, especially in technology. Singapore, with its openness and innovation-driven economy, was a natural choice for this outreach. 

Singapore firms entering Japan via Fukuoka

One of the success stories shared at the seminar came from Origgin Ventures, a Singapore-based deep-tech venture creator that recently set up an office in Fukuoka.

Recounting the company’s journey, Lum Yi Chyi admitted that Fukuoka was not in their top choices when they first explored Japan. But after being encouraged to visit Fukuoka some two years ago, they found a good support system, technologies, and values that complemented the company.  

Origgin’s expansion received support from no less than Fukuoka City Government, which introduced them to their now-key partners. She added that Fukuoka’s focus on deep-tech innovation aligns with Singapore’s strengths.

“Fukuoka is the right size for us. It’s a compact city, yet it has a lot of vibrancy, a lot of elements that will make the first step of Origgin in Japan successful,” she said.

Cross-border collaboration and financial hub potential

Low Wei Ling, Chief Executive Officer of multi-awarded Singapore financial institution Vanda Global Capital (Vanda), also shared her insights on the city’s role as a venture and financial hub. The institution leads high-potential companies in Fintech-Tech-Sustainability-Impact ESG Infrastructure and facilitates efficient access to capital by partnering with government, regulatory, and state-sponsored private enterprises.

Low praised Fukuoka’s evolution, with Singapore, as youthful populations, pro-business policies, and stable political environments, enabling business collaborations to thrive at Fukuoka Growth Next (FGN) in Fukuoka. “With Fresh collaborations alongside startups and venture capital firms, Companies can establish permanence, via overseas business expansion or to really start something New,” she said.

Low also lauded the Business Attraction Seminar’s well-thought structure and within compact timing, each speech and messaging was succinct & well-delivered. She gave accolades to speakers on presenting new perspective(s) accretively, thereby reinforcing the key objectives towards overall event success in building stronger investment links between Fukuoka and Singapore and business presences in both cities in co-operation and mutually beneficial aspects.

Fukuoka Innovation on the Global Stage

Representing Fukuoka’s own innovation scene is Fusic Inc., a leading tech company specialising in AI and cloud solutions. Fusic, which was founded in 2002 at Kyushu University, started small and only went public in 2023. Since then, they’ve been helping clients with new tech and business growth — not just with things like cloud computing and generative AI for easier cross-border work, but also with marketing and other business needs. 

Fusic’s global expansion was also supported by Fukuoka City. “I would say our journey in terms of global business started with Fukuoka City. Two years ago, we were selected by Fukuoka City in a SWITCH programme and we visited Singapore for the first time. We were able to know the market of Singapore and the players in Singapore, like how we could do business in Singapore,” said Yasukochi Shun of Fusic.

Now, Fusic aims to return the favour by allowing their success to make the noise and promote Fukuoka as a global innovation hub.

The Fukuoka Business Seminar in Singapore shares the same vision to build stronger bridges between Singapore and Japan through Fukuoka. With its strategic location, innovation-friendly ecosystem, and proactive government support, Fukuoka welcomes Singaporean businesses seeking a gateway into Japan.

Explore these opportunities and discover Japan through Fukuoka. Visit them at https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/keizai/k-yuchi/business/dd.html#en.