Q&A WITH WTCA's NEWEST MEMBERS - DECEMBER 2024

The WTCA Editorial Team sat down with a few of WTCA’s newest Members to learn more about their plans for their WTC licenses and how they envision bringing new opportunities to the global WTCA network.

Our interviewees:

• Dr. Yongkyun Hwang, CEO, WTC Jeju in the Republic of Korea (joined July 2024)
• Mr. Asano Kentaro, Managing Partner, WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo in Japan (joined August 2024)

What are you looking forward to most about joining this global network?

Mr. Kentaro (WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo):  Joining the global WTCA network opens up exciting opportunities for WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo, allowing us to actively contribute to and benefit from this extensive international community. Here are some key aspects we look forward to:

• Expanding Access to Global Markets for Kansai-Based and Kanto-Based Business: Through WTCA’s global connections, we can support local businesses in reaching new international markets. We look forward to leveraging the network to introduce our emerging startups and heritage brands from western and southern Japan (Kansai region via WTC Osaka), and eastern and northern Japan (Kanto region via WTC Tokyo) to global markets such as China and beyond, promoting cultural exchange and business growth.
• Creating Mutually Beneficial Partnerships: As part of the WTCA network, we can facilitate impactful collaborations between Kansai-area, as well as Kanto-area, companies and international partners, fostering innovative joint ventures and valuable knowledge exchange.
• Providing Comprehensive Market Entry Support: With the expertise of one of Japan’s largest law firms, we are well-positioned to assist WTCA Members in navigating the Japanese market. We look forward to providing tailored services — including legal advice, tax planning, and regulatory support — to international businesses looking to invest in Japan, contributing to a smoother, more compliant market entry process.
• Enhancing Knowledge and Cultural Exchange: We look forward to hosting international conferences and events that encourage knowledge sharing and cultural exchange. By welcoming WTCA Members to Osaka and Tokyo, we can foster deeper understanding of Japanese business practices and facilitate cultural insights that will benefit the entire WTCA community, enriching global relationships and expanding perspectives.

How will our global WTCA community benefit from your local business network?

Dr. Hwang (WTC Jeju):  The community of WTC businesses can benefit from the local business network in Jeju, Korea, in various ways.  By leveraging its unique assets, Jeju’s local business network can contribute significantly to the overall global WTCA network, promoting mutual growth and enhancing international trade relations.

• Tourism and Trade Promotion: Jeju is a popular tourist destination. Local businesses can provide insights and opportunities for tourism-related trade, benefiting both local and global stakeholders.
• Unique Local Products: Jeju is known for its specialty products, such as tangerines, seafood, and traditional crafts. This can create opportunities for export and international markets.
• Cultural Exchange: The local business network can facilitate cultural exchange, showcasing Jeju's unique heritage and encouraging collaboration between global businesses and local enterprises.
• Sustainable Practices: Jeju is recognized for its natural beauty and commitment to sustainability. Global businesses can learn from local practices in environmental sustainability and eco-friendly tourism.
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The local network can serve as a platform for startups and innovative businesses in Jeju to connect with global markets, fostering entrepreneurship and new ideas.
• Strategic Location: Jeju's geographic position makes it a strategic hub for trade in Northeast Asia. This can enhance logistics and distribution for businesses seeking to access Asian markets.
• Networking Opportunities: Local business events can bring together entrepreneurs and global counterparts, facilitating collaborations and partnerships that can drive growth.

Mr. Kentaro (WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo): The global WTCA community stands to gain from WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo’s local business network in multiple ways.

• Exclusive Access to Heritage and Emerging Brands: WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo’s "Century Brand Project" connects WTCA Members with Japanese companies from western and southern Japan with over a hundred years of history, offering high-quality, culturally significant products to international markets. This access enhances WTCA Members’ portfolios with prestigious, long-established brands from Japan, promoting cultural appreciation and market diversity. Additionally, WTC Osaka supports emerging businesses based in the Kansai region with ambitions to expand globally, while WTC Tokyo supports emerging businesses based in the Kanto region, providing WTCA Members with early access to innovative and promising start-ups from Osaka and Tokyo's dynamic market.
• Comprehensive Support for Investment and Market Entry: Backed by one of Japan’s largest law firms, Verybest Co., LTD. (active in a wide range of activities including consulting and corporate services, business planning and operation services and digital marketing and AI development services), WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo provide extensive support to global businesses entering Japan and neighboring markets. WTCA Members benefit from Osaka’s and Tokyo’s local expertise in areas such as legal advice, tax planning, company formation, and regulatory guidance, creating a seamless market entry experience. This expertise is invaluable for WTCA Members seeking a stable and compliant entry into the Japanese competitive landscape, reducing operational hurdles and increasing confidence in the Japanese market.
• Enhanced Trade and Collaboration Opportunities: As a major commercial and industrial center in Japan, Osaka serves as the economic, cultural and transportation hub in Japan, while Tokuo serves as a strategic trading hub in Asia. WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo facilitate valuable trade partnerships by connecting WTCA Members with the Kansai and Kanto regions’ dynamic network of innovative manufacturing, technology, and service-oriented businesses. By building direct relationships with these local companies — many of which are known for their expertise in fields such as precision engineering, life sciences, and sustainable development — WTCA Members can effectively enter the Kansai and Kanto markets, fostering collaborative ventures that not only expand their reach but also bring both regions’ high-quality goods and specialized services to global audiences.
• Knowledge Sharing and Cultural Exchange: Through hosting international conferences and events, WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo provide WTCA Members with opportunities for cultural and business exchange, enhancing understanding of Japan’s business landscape.

How will the WTC brand benefit your local community?

Dr. Hwang (WTC Jeju): In particular, we hope that WTC Jeju will focus on global functions that local government and existing regional organizations have not been able to achieve. By leveraging its international network, WTC Jeju can enhance global trade relationships, attract foreign investments, and facilitate cross-border collaborations that are crucial for the economic development of the region. This unique capability will allow WTC Jeju to complement the efforts of local authorities and organizations, driving Jeju’s growth on a global scale and positioning it as a competitive player in the international market.

The WTC brand can benefit the local community of Jeju in several impactful ways:

• Economic Development: The WTC brand can attract foreign investment and encourage international businesses to establish operations in Jeju, bolstering the local economy and creating job opportunities.
• Increased Visibility: Being affiliated with the WTC brand enhances Jeju’s visibility on the global stage, making it an attractive destination for investors, tourists, and business partners.
• Networking and Collaboration: The WTCA network facilitates connections between local businesses and global companies, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and partnership opportunities.
• Promotion of Export Activities: The WTC brand can support local businesses in accessing international markets, providing resources and tools to enhance their export capabilities.

Mr. Kentaro (WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo): The WTC brand can significantly benefit the Osaka and Tokyo communities through various avenues:

• Business Networking and Collaboration: The WTC brand provides a dynamic platform for Kansai-based and Kanto-based businesses to connect with international partners, fostering collaborations that drive innovation and facilitate entry into new markets. For example, WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo have launched the "Century Brand Project," in partnership with multiple WTCA Members in China, to introduce high-quality products from western and southern Japan — some from companies with over a century of history — to markets in China and beyond. Additionally, WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo focus on supporting emerging businesses in the Kansai region, particularly those in sectors like manufacturing, technology, and traditional crafts, helping them expand into global markets.
• Economic Growth, International Trade and Investment Support: The WTC brand enables WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo, major commercial hubs in Japan, to enhance international business opportunities, attract foreign investment, and promote economic growth in the Kansai and Kanto regions. In addition, operated by one of Japan's largest law firms, Verybest Co., LTD. (a major law firm with 75 offices and 350 attorneys throughout Japan), both WTC licenses offer comprehensive support for global businesses looking to invest in Japan, providing services such as legal advice, tax planning, company setup, and regulatory guidance. This support facilitates a smooth market entry, allowing international companies to establish a solid presence in Japan’s vibrant Kansai and Kanto regions.
• Educational and Cultural Exchange: With their rich history and vibrant culture, both Osaka and Tokyo are an ideal setting for international conferences and events – Osaka will also be the host of the World Expo 2025  (running from April 13 – October 13). Under the strong influence of the well-known WTC brand, both WTC Osaka and WTC Tokyo have the potential to host these gatherings, providing opportunities for knowledge sharing and cultural exchange that not only benefit local businesses but also enrich the broader community.

Would you like to share an interesting fact about yourself with our readers?

Dr. Hwang (WTC Jeju): I am a huge lover of beautiful Mother Nature. I spend most of my personal leisure time hiking, trekking and taking a walk by the sea. And I feel very grateful to live with the dogs and cats of my neighbors who live together in beautiful Jeju Island, and the many natural animals and plants that live freely in nature. We hope that all of our WTC Jeju's products and services will make Jeju better and more beautiful, so that we can give happy experiences and impressions to everyone around the world.

Interested in connecting with one of our interviewees?  Contact WTCA at  info@wtca.org  for assistance.