By SGN | 9 May 2025
When Wanping left Singapore after junior college to pursue her undergraduate studies in Australia, she had no idea that a few Japanese classes and a love for Japanese Drama would one day shape the course of her life.
A Love for Japan That Started With Pop Culture
While studying in Australia, Wanping found herself captivated by Japanese anime, dramas, and music. That interest turned academic when she chose Japanese language as one of her university subjects — a decision that would prove serendipitous. Not only was it her best-performing subject, but it also opened the door to a life-changing three-week homestay in Japan.
Her passion for Japan didn’t end with the homestay. After it concluded, she extended her stay to travel with friends who shared her enthusiasm for Japanese culture. She also visited several graduate schools, sowing the seeds for a future she had only just begun to imagine.
“I wasn’t eligible for a year-long exchange program because Japanese wasn’t my major,” she explains. “I tried to persuade my teacher to let me join the Keio University exchange, but it wasn’t to be — which turned out to be the best thing. Because now, I live in Japan, and I actually work at Keio!”
How Everything Started: Pursuing Graduate Studies in Japan
Securing admission to a Japanese master’s program wasn’t as difficult as one might expect, but it did require strategic effort.
“I knew I had to visit professors in person and submit a research proposal,” says Wanping. Once a professor agreed to supervise her, she prepared for the entrance exam and interview. That same year, she was accepted into Tokyo Medical and Dental University (now Institute of Science Tokyo) with a coveted MEXT Scholarship.
Wanping completed both her Master’s and Ph.D. there. And in her final year, a chance encounter at a science contest award lunch changed her life again. That day, she met Professor Masaru Tomita, who recruited her into Keio University’s Institute for Advanced Biosciences — a hub for biotech innovation where eight bio-ventures have been born.
“I owe a lot to Professor Tomita,” she says. “He not only guided my academic career but also inspired me to start my own business.”
From Researcher to Entrepreneur
Now a Project Research Associate specializing in nutrition and wellness, Wanping also runs TokudAw Inc., a travel and consulting business that bridges cultures and brings people closer through shared experiences in Japan. The company offers bespoke tours, student consulting, and corporate event planning, all rooted in a mission of fostering mutual understanding between Japanese and non-Japanese individuals.
Her journey into entrepreneurship began when she realized research alone wasn’t fulfilling.
“In the early stages of my career, I observed that while my Japanese colleagues were polite, they avoided challenging discussions with me, and a lot of other international researchers. That’s not ideal for scientific growth,” she reflects.
While volunteering as a guide for inbound tourism, she met Tokuda — her now-business partner — who helped her navigate Japanese workplace culture more confidently.
“Tokuda was the first Japanese who accepted me for who I was and taught me many ways to survive in Japanese companies as an employee. I also identified some issues with communication, understanding and trust between locals and non-locals, and I felt that the politeness I felt was most probably due to the locals not knowing how to behave or interact around me.”
This partnership ultimately inspired TokudAw’s core mission: to break down cultural barriers and build long-lasting, meaningful connections between people of different backgrounds.
Reconnecting with Singapore
While her initial years in Japan were focused on study and business-building, Wanping has recently reconnected with the Singaporean community — thanks in part to the growth of TokudAw.
“I married a Taiwanese partner and my business partner is Japanese, so I wasn’t closely tied to the local Singaporean scene at first. But starting my company brought me closer to home.”
Today, Singaporeans make up a loyal part of her customer base. “Many of them travel to Japan multiple times a year and are incredibly supportive. Their encouragement reminds me of home and makes me feel connected, even though I’ve been away for a long time.”
Whether it’s guiding international travelers, helping students pursue their dreams in Japan, or facilitating cross-cultural business partnerships, Wanping is living proof that following your passions — even as a student watching Japanese drama — can lead to a meaningful and unexpected life path.
Life in Japan: The Realities of Adapting
Adapting to life in Japan wasn’t hard for Wanping — she embraced the language, the food, the kawaii culture, and the seasonal traditions with open arms. “I consider myself someone who adapted while keeping my original identity,” she says.
Still, she notes that Japan’s deeply systematic nature can be challenging for newcomers.
“Apart from learning some basic Japanese, and downloading all the necessary translation apps to the phone, new relocators to Japan should understand that Japan is extremely systematic. There is no way that the rules can be bent, and exceptions are rarely given”
“Follow the rules to the letter. If you’re told to do steps 1 to 10, do exactly that — in the order they say. Don’t try to negotiate or jump ahead. You’ll save yourself a lot of back-and-forth. Then, follow up with any additional request – if you feel that the recipient might be more flexible than others.”
She also emphasizes emotional resilience: “Don’t be too discouraged when things don’t go your way. Japan’s systems are designed to manage a huge population. Once you adjust, you’ll find your rhythm.”
Building Community and Belonging
When she first moved to Japan, Wanping lived in an international student dormitory and worked at renowned institutions like RIKEN and The University of Tokyo. “The labs were very international, which helped me feel at home,” she says. She also made friends through shared interests in Japanese dramas and music.
Her advice for new relocators in 2025? Tap into your passions. “People who come to Japan usually have a reason — be it food, tech, anime, or fashion. Find your tribe around that. These days, there are tons of communities and meet-up groups online.”
Although she didn’t initially connect much with the Singaporean community in Japan, that changed after launching TokudAw. “I’m so thankful to have reconnected with fellow Singaporeans through networking events. Some of them help me with the operation of my business, some of them introduce new clients to me, and of course our lovely guests visit our tours multiple times a year.
“It was always my childhood dream to own and manage my own business. When I first set out to Japan to study, I never expected to be able to fulfil this dream here. More unexpectedly, I never knew that fulfilling this dream would bring my heart closer back to home.”
About Wanping
Wanping is the Founder and Managing Director of TokudAw Inc., a destination management and consulting company offering premium tours, corporate solutions, and student consulting in Japan. She is also a Project Research Associate at Keio University, specializing in nutrition and wellness.
Connect with her here.
