Advisory Services

Eight ways we help Japanese innovators go global.

From regulatory strategy and IP protection to market entry and investor readiness — each service is designed for the specific challenges Japanese companies face when expanding internationally.

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Service areas
Engagement models

We work the way your situation requires.

Ongoing advisory relationship for companies in active expansion. Monthly or quarterly engagements with direct access to our advisors.

Fixed-scope work with defined deliverables and timeline. Best for audits, assessments, and specific market entry preparation.

Strategic input at key decision points — board presentations, investor meetings, regulatory milestones.

Available for select early-stage companies where we take a deeper stake in your success.

Service details

All eight advisory services.

01

International Market Entry Strategy

You have a proven product in Japan. Now what?

The challenge

Most Japanese companies with validated products don't know where to start internationally — which market first, which channel, which price point, which partner. Without a structured approach, years can be lost chasing the wrong market.

What we do

  • Market selection analysis — Southeast Asia, US, Europe, Australia — where is the best fit for your product?
  • Go-to-market roadmap for your primary target country
  • Competitive landscape assessment in the target market
  • Distribution channel and partner identification
  • Revenue model adaptation for local market conditions
Who this is for

Startups and mid-size companies with validated products in Japan, ready to take the first serious step internationally.

Typical engagement

Project-based or Advisory Retainer

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02

Regulatory Strategy & Market Approval

Every country has different rules. Getting them wrong costs years.

The challenge

FDA (US), CE/MDR (Europe), HSA (Singapore), TGA (Australia), MHRA (UK) — regulatory approval is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. Companies that enter without a clear strategy routinely burn 2–3 years on avoidable detours.

What we do

  • Regulatory pathway mapping for your specific product in target markets
  • Product classification guidance (medical device, SaMD, consumer product, etc.)
  • Pre-submission strategy and documentation planning
  • Regulatory risk assessment for your product launch timeline
  • Introductions to trusted local regulatory specialists in each market

We provide advisory and strategy — not acting as a regulatory agent. We connect you with the right specialists when local representation is required.

Who this is for

Medtech, healthtech, biotech, IoT, and AI companies with regulated products or services entering new markets.

Typical engagement

Project-based or Advisory Retainer

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03

Intellectual Property Strategy

Your Japanese patents may not protect you overseas.

The challenge

Japan's IP system protects you in Japan. But the moment you enter the US, Europe, or Southeast Asia, your protection may be incomplete. Competitors have copied innovations before a company even realised its exposure.

What we do

  • IP audit — what protection do you currently have and where are the gaps?
  • International patent filing strategy (PCT pathway, regional patents)
  • Trademark protection in your target markets
  • Freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis guidance before market entry
  • Trade secret and know-how protection frameworks
  • IP risk assessment before announcing any international expansion
Who this is for

Any company with proprietary technology, processes, designs, or brand value entering new markets.

Typical engagement

Project-based

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04

Privacy & Data Compliance

GDPR, PDPA, PIPL — data rules vary dramatically and the penalties are severe.

The challenge

A digital health company in Japan entering Europe faces GDPR. Entering Singapore means PDPA. Entering China means PIPL. State laws in the US add another layer. Without a compliance strategy, your product launch timeline and liability exposure are both at risk.

What we do

  • Privacy regulation mapping for each of your target markets
  • Data flow assessment and compliance gap analysis
  • Privacy policy drafting guidance
  • Data Processing Agreement (DPA) framework review
  • Consent management strategy for your product
  • Cross-border data transfer compliance — including Japan's APPI requirements
Who this is for

SaaS companies, digital health platforms, IoT device makers, and AI companies that handle personal data.

Typical engagement

Project-based or Advisory Retainer

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05

Business Development & Partnership

You need local partners — but building the right network from scratch takes years.

The challenge

The right distributor, hospital network, technology licensee, or enterprise client can make or break international expansion. But identifying, approaching, and structuring these relationships is a full-time job — one that requires local knowledge and existing relationships.

What we do

  • Target partner identification and shortlisting for your sector
  • Warm introductions via our APAC and global network
  • Partnership structure advisory — distribution, licensing, JV, co-development
  • MOU and term sheet review guidance
  • Negotiation strategy support
Who this is for

Companies seeking channel partners, technology licensees, hospital or clinic networks, or enterprise clients in APAC.

Typical engagement

Retainer-based or Project-based

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06

Investment Readiness & Fundraising Advisory

International investors think differently from Japanese investors.

The challenge

APAC and international VCs assess companies on different metrics, tell different stories, and have different expectations around traction, TAM framing, and exit horizons. Your current pitch may be perfect for a Japanese institutional investor but fall flat in Singapore or San Francisco.

What we do

  • Investment thesis development for international investor audiences
  • Pitch deck review and narrative strengthening
  • Valuation benchmarking against comparable companies and sector multiples
  • VC and investor landscape mapping for your sector
  • Warm introductions to relevant investors in Singapore, APAC, and the US
  • Due diligence preparation support
Who this is for

Startups seeking Series A and above from international VC and corporate investors.

Typical engagement

Project-based or Equity Advisory

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07

Technology & Product Due Diligence

A partner, investor, or acquirer wants to understand your technology deeply.

The challenge

When stakes are high — an M&A process, a major investment round, a licensing deal — a thorough, independent technical assessment is essential. Both buyers and sellers benefit from clear documentation of what the technology does, what it doesn't, and what the risk landscape looks like.

What we do

  • Technical assessment of product architecture, IP, and defensibility
  • Clinical or evidence review for health-tech and medical products
  • Market validation and competitive differentiation analysis
  • Written due diligence report available in English and Japanese
  • Evaluation of a third-party technology before you commit to a partnership
Who this is for

Companies undergoing M&A, investment rounds, or strategic partnership evaluations — on either side of the transaction.

Typical engagement

Project-based

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08

Japan-APAC Bridge Advisory

Cultural and business style differences make Japan-APAC partnerships harder than they look.

The challenge

Japanese business culture, decision-making rhythms, and communication styles are different from Singapore, Southeast Asia, or the US. Partnerships that look promising on paper break down in execution. This isn't a language problem — it's a context and expectation problem.

What we do

  • Cross-cultural business strategy and communication guidance
  • Japan-APAC market narrative translation — business context, not just language
  • Singapore as a regional HQ strategy and corporate structure advisory
  • Government grant and support program navigation (EnterpriseSG, EDB, etc.)
  • Advisory for APAC companies entering Japan
Who this is for

Japanese companies using Singapore as an APAC hub, or APAC companies entering Japan.

Typical engagement

Retainer-based or Project-based

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Next step

Start with the challenge, not the service label.

If you're unsure which service fits, that's normal. A 30-minute call is enough to identify the right starting point.

Book a Free 30-min Call About our practice →