Wada FoodTech Co., Ltd.

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Company Overview

Parent Company Location: China
Japan Office Establishment: 2023
Address: 26th Floor, Hankyu Grand Building, 8-47 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka
Business Activities: Development of a hot-chain vending machine platform
Website: Wada FoodTech Co., Ltd.

Interview

Wada FoodTech Co., Ltd. was established in June 2023 as the Japanese subsidiary of Kamakura Foods Limited, a Hong Kong-based startup specializing in hot-chain vending machine services.

The company operates a "hot-chain" platform that keeps food at a warm temperature. Its self-developed hot-chain vending machines allow consumers to enjoy freshly heated bento in just 17 seconds.

To tackle challenges such as labor shortages and rising wages in the restaurant and ready-to-eat meal industries, Wada Food Tech is expanding its platform and enhancing automation solutions by leveraging engineering talent from Kansai. The company aims to establish Osaka as a hub for exporting its technology to other developed markets.

For this interview, we spoke with CEO Jason Chen about the company’s expansion into Kansai, the appeal of the region, the public support utilized during the expansion process, and his message for businesses considering entering the market.

Expansion into Kansai

Hot-chain vending machines

Having lived in Japan for many years including time in Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Kyushu, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the customs and cultures across various regions of the country.

Among them, our company chose to expand into Kansai because we felt that its startup culture was more conducive to our business than other regions in Japan. The execution power and speed of people in Kansai are truly impressive, and we were strongly drawn to the region's unique environment, business atmosphere, and its people.

Our company offers a service that delivers quick, warm meals to urban residents—especially those dealing with long lunch lines during peak hours. As Japan’s second-largest city and home to a high concentration of our target users, Osaka emerged as the ideal location to launch our business.

The strong support from JETRO Osaka was another key factor in our decision to expand into Kansai.

The Attractivness of Osaka

Hot-chain vending machines

One of the key advantages of Kansai is how smoothly partnerships and client relationships develop. Along with the friendly and approachable people, Osaka has a business culture rooted in "getting things done" and "delivering results." I found that the collaborative relationships here are both realistic and highly effective. In fact, we established our Osaka office in June 2023 and were able to launch our business by November—a remarkably smooth and successful start.

Additionally, there seems to be a distinctive Osaka style in terms of services and products. For example, one of our bento chain clients featured the company president’s face on a promotional poster—something you would rarely see in Hong Kong or Tokyo. While unconventional, it conveyed a strong sense of pride and commitment to their offerings.

Another appealing aspect of Osaka is its "perfect size." It’s neither too big nor too small, and the concentration of business partners and clients within easy reach makes relationship-building very convenient. Moreover, compared to Tokyo, the cost of living is significantly lower, which is another major benefit.

Public Support Utilized During Our Expansion

We made extensive use of the support services provided by JETRO Osaka(*). Before officially establishing our office, we were provided with a free temporary office. While there, we started our business in Osaka while consulting with advisors.

We also received guidance on how to connect with administrative scriveners and tax accountants. Given our limited resources and lack of local connections, the support we received with procedures and other practical matters was essential for us.

(*)Please check the JETRO website for details.

Message To Foreign-Affiliated Companies Considering Expansion

CEO Jason Chen

When establishing a base, I believe there are two key factors to consider:

The first is the business aspect. It's important to assess whether the region is “suitable for your business”.

The second is the people and culture. Just as crucial is assessing whether “the local temperament and culture align with the entrepreneur's lifestyle”. This cultural fit can be just as important as business considerations.

Contact Information

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Kansai Bureau
International Investment Promotion Division
Address: 1-5-44 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540-8535
Phone：+81-6-6966-6033
E-Mail：invest-japan-kansai@meti.go.jp