S.M.A.R.T Entrepreneurship x Global

Tokyo: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Tokyo is Japan’s innovation hub, with a strong startup scene and leading AI-robotics universities. Participants will explore Japan’s digital strategy, assess tech across key sectors, connect with Waseda and JETRO, and craft strategies for the Japanese market.

Programme Dates

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Date: 4 Jan 2027 (Pre-Trip, Singapore)
12 - 15 Jan 2027 (Tokyo, Japan)
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Programme Fees

  • Full Payment $7,957.00
  • SkillsFuture (up to 70% subsidy) $2,387.10
  • SME (up to 90% support) $927.10
  • Mid Career (up to 90% subsidy) $927.10

Who Should Attend

Business owners and senior management from creative and design, technology, trading, manufacturing and logistics ecosystem.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in international trading and logistics

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Programme Details

Tokyo, Japan’s capital and its Silicon Valley, is the world’s largest city, with a central population of over 13.9 million and more than 38 million in its metropolitan area. Renowned for its high quality of life, smart city innovations, and thriving business and technology ecosystems, Tokyo is the nerve centre of Japan’s booming startup scene, with over 10,000 startups driving its tech ecosystem. As the national education hub, Tokyo is home to 143 universities, including the University of Tokyo, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Waseda University, and Keio University, which lead AI and robotics research while nurturing the tech talent powering Japan’s innovation economy.

Through experiential learning, participants will explore Japan’s digital innovation strategy and startup ecosystem, evaluate cutting-edge AI and robotics technologies across sectors like F&B, retail, and logistics, leverage Japan’s leadership in robotics, assess RCEP opportunities, expand networks with universities and organisations such as Waseda and JETRO, and develop practical, innovative business strategies tailored to the Japanese market.

Programme Outline

Learning Objectives

Explore Japan’s digital innovation and startup ecosystem
Understand Japan’s digital innovation strategy and startup ecosystem, before identifying opportunities in Tokyo


Evaluate AI and robotics innovations
Learn about cutting-edge AI and robotics advancements and assess their potential in industries like F&B, manufacturing, retail, trade, and logistics.


Leverage Japan’s robotics leadership
Learn how Japan’s robotics sector, led by companies like Telexistence, is shaping smart business solutions.


Understand Japan’s view on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
Analyse Japan’s perspective on the RCEP and related opportunities.


Build business networks in Tokyo
Network with leading organisations, such as Waseda University and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), to foster collaboration and new opportunities.


Create a business strategy
Create and present a practical business strategy, applying insights from the programme for real-world implementation.

Day 1

Pre-trip in Singapore

  • Strategic workshop: Harnessing Japan’s AI & Robotic Technologies to Build Smart Businesses
  • Learn about Japan’s digital innovation strategy and the Startup Incubation 5-Year Program
  • Gain insights into Japan’s US$250 billion (39 trillion yen) economic stimulus package, including at least 10 trillion yen allocated for AI and semiconductor industries
  • Apply business model innovation frameworks to unlock growth opportunities
Day 2

Site visit: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan

  • Learn about the latest updates on Japan’s digital innovation strategy and US$250 billion economic stimulus package, including investment incentives
  • Learn about the latest developments the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) from Japan’s perspective
  • Learn about the latest updates on Japan’s Startup Incubation 5-Year Program which aims to invest 10 trillion yen (USD$6.7 billion) in startups by 2027, creating 100 unicorn companies and 100,000 startups to position Japan as Asia’s leading startup hub
  • Identify and evaluate potential partnerships with local partners and learn the best business practices

Seminar, lunch and networking session

  • Seminar on “Japan’s Digital Innovation Strategy: Trends & Opportunities”
  • Explore potential partnerships

Site visit: Japan Innovation Network (JIN)

  • Learn about Japan Innovation Network (JIN)’s success in facilitating corporate innovation and venture programs in leading Japanese companies, including Sony, Asahi, Panasonic, KAGOME, & Kao Corporation.
  • Explore potential partnership
  • Learn the best business practices at Japan Innovation Network (JIN)
Day 3

Site visit: Waseda University

  • Learn about the latest development in corporate tech innovations and startup ecosystem in Japan
  • Explore potential partnership
  • Learn the best business practices in Japan

Seminar, lunch and networking session

  • Seminar on “Waseda University’s Global Partnership Ecosystem: Trends & Opportunities”
  • Network and explore partnership with Waseda University and its ecosystem partners

Site visit: AiSalon Tokyo

  • Learn how AiSalon is promoting AI innovation and start-ups in Japan. AiSalon is a global community by and for AI-focused founders, builders, investors, and enterprise partners
  • Learn about new innovative technologies and AI startups
  • Explore and evaluate potential partnerships
  • Learn the best business practices in AiSalon
Day 4

Site visit: Fast Retailing & Uniqlo

  • Learn how Fast Retailing & Uniqlo deploys leading AI and digital technologies to build a global smart and sustainable business. Fast Retailing is the world’s third-largest fashion apparel company with its main brand being Uniqlo
  • Learn about its innovation programme and its sustainability programme
  • Learn the best business practices at Fast Retailing & Uniqlo

Seminar, lunch and networking session

  • Seminar on “TAI’s Partnership Ecosystem: Trends & Opportunities”
  • In-depth partnership discussions

Site visit: Tokyo AI (TAI)

  • Learn how Tokyo AI (TAI) is promoting AI innovation and start-ups in Japan. TAI is a community of builders, engineers, and investors on a mission to foster a vibrant and cohesive AI ecosystem in Tokyo.
  • Learn about new innovative technologies and AI startups
  • Network and explore evaluate potential partnerships
  • Learn the best business practices in TAI

Site visit (evening): Workshop with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

  • Learn about the latest updates on Japan’s digital innovation strategy
  • Learn about the latest updates on Japan’s Startup Incubation 5-Year Program
  • Learn the best practices on operating businesses in Japan
  • Network and explore partnership opportunities with JETRO and its ecosystem partners
Day 5

SUTD S.M.A.R.T Entrepreneurship seminar: Singapore-Tokyo AI & Robotic Partnerships

  • Sharing by a Professor from University of Tokyo: Challenges & Opportunities in Japan

Group discussion topics include:

  • Indonesia business owners to share on collaboration ideas
  • Singapore delegates to share on collaboration ideas
  • Explore partnership opportunities, learn and apply the best business practices

Hands-on strategy workshop: Harnessing Japan’s AI & Robotic Technologies to Build Smart Businesses

  • Participants will synthesise and apply learnings and insights from the programme to craft an innovative and practical business growth strategy using a strategic framework

Roundtable panel discussion: Harnessing Japan’s AI & Robotics Technologies for Smart Business Growth

Panellists:

  • Selected Japanese AI tech companies
  • Regional Director (Tokyo), Enterprise Singapore
  • Participants will present their business strategies, receive constructive feedback, and refine their strategies.
Assessment

Presentation of company’s business strategy to capture business opportunities.

Andrew Chin

Lead Instructor | Singapore University of Technology Design (SUTD)

Andrew Chin is an Educator, Serial Entrepreneurship, & Investor. He serves as President of Tsinghua University School of Management and Economics (Tsinghua SEM) Singapore Alumni Association, as well as the President of the S.M.A.R.T Entrepreneurship Club. He is the Lead Instructor for S.M.A.R.T Entrepreneurship X Global (AI & Robotics) Program Series, & S.M.A.R.T Entrepreneurship X AI Program Series at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

Andrew has more than 25 years of China experience in education and publishing industry. Andrew was Head of SMU China & East Asia Initiatives where he worked closely with SMU President and senior management to craft and execute SMU China & East Asia strategy. Andrew accumulated invaluable experience in crafting and executing China strategy from his various roles, including as Business Development Director (China & Southeast Asia) for Sodexo (Fortune 500), as Chief Representative and Country Manager (China) for Thomson Learning (Fortune 500) and as Cofounder for two successful start-ups in Beijing. He was based in Beijing for 10 years. During his time at Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Andrew worked with selected Fortune 500 companies on their Singapore and regional strategy.

Andrew was awarded the Asian Business Fellows Scholarship by the Singapore Government to pursue the Tsinghua University-MIT Sloan International MBA Programme in Beijing in 2001.

With Singapore Management University (SMU)'s nomination, Andrew is recognized as a Specialist Adult Educator (Curriculum Development) under the Adult Education Professionalization (AEP) initiative, a national level initiative under Singapore’s SkillsFuture. Andrew initiated the SMU Internationalization Program Series with the founding Executive Director of SMU Academy

Programme Dates

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Date: 4 Jan 2027 (Pre-Trip, Singapore)
12 - 15 Jan 2027 (Tokyo, Japan)
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