We connect Japan & the world.

A professional F&B, and lifestyle consulting and trading company based in Singapore — bridging Japanese food businesses to Southeast Asia and the rest of the world, and connecting Singaporean and SEA businesses into Japan.

13%

The trend threshold

SEA + Japan

Markets served

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OUR VISION

The 13% Principle

13

Ichi = 1. San = 3. Ichi San = 13.

In modern marketing theory, when a business achieves 13% market share, it becomes a trend. We run the business marathon together with our clients to develop that trend.

マーケティング理論において、市場シェア13％を達成した事業は「トレンド」になります。私たちはそのゴールへ向け、クライアントとともにビジネスマラソンを走ります。

接続 CONNECT

Bridging Japan and Southeast Asia through deep relationships.

拡大 EXPAND

Scaling businesses across new markets and cultures.

変革 TRANSFORM

Turning food concepts into regional and global trends.

共走 PARTNER

Running the marathon alongside clients every step of the way.

WHAT WE DO

Expertise that crosses borders

01. F&B Consulting

Challenge: Entering a new market without local knowledge or network.

Approach: End-to-end consulting covering concept, branding, marketing, design and site selection.

Result: Successful market entries for brands including Ippudo and Pepper Lunch across ASEAN.

02. Market Expansion

Challenge: Japanese brands lack the SEA networks; SEA brands lack Japan market insight.

Approach: Leveraging 30+ years of combined experience across Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and ASEAN.

Result: Bilateral expansion advisory for Japanese and Singaporean food businesses.

03. Food Trading

Challenge: Complex supply chain navigation between Japan and SEA markets.

Approach: Direct trading relationships built on 20+ years in the food value chain at Cargill and beyond.

Result: Full supply chain support from OEM manufacturing to distribution in ASEAN.

HOW WE WORK

A three-phase approach

プロジェクトへのアプローチ

01. Discovery & Launch

コーチング・立ち上げ

  • Product & service potential analysis
  • Industry & market research
  • Hypothesis validation
  • Business planning & market entry strategy

02. Build & Accelerate

事業の構築・推進支援

  • Identifying the right business partners
  • Supply chain development
  • Talent & raw material sourcing
  • Site scouting & lease negotiation
  • PR & branding

03. Coordinate & Operate

調整・交渉・運営受託

  • Localisation
  • Coordination across stakeholders
  • Negotiation & mediation
  • Ongoing advisory support
  • Operations management
SERVICE CAPABILITIES

What we deliver

01

Pre-entry research

Macro economy, industry, market, pricing, consumer analysis

02

Business partner & franchise identification

Candidate identification and negotiation

03

M&A candidate sourcing

Sourcing and negotiation support

04

Restaurant / retail site sourcing

Site identification and lease negotiation

05

Concept creation & branding

Full creative and brand development

06

Operations support

Staffing, trade, logistics, finance

07

OEM manufacturer sourcing

Halal compliance and more

08

Store operations management

Ongoing operational oversight

PRIMARY MARKETS — 主な対象国

Southeast Asia & Beyond

From our Singapore headquarters, Ichi San operates across the full breadth of Southeast Asia and into Japan — leveraging deep local networks in each market to deliver results for our clients.

THE PARTNERS

Decades of combined mastery

Wakako Uemura — 植村稚子

Founding Partner

From Tokyo. After studying in the US, joined Suntory-affiliated Myu Planning. Relocated to Singapore in 2003, producing F&B expansions including Ippudo and Pepper Lunch. Later founded her own F&B consulting firm in Singapore, covering concept, design, branding and site selection across Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and ASEAN.


waka@ichisan.sg

Keita Miyamoto — 宮本敬太

Founding Partner

From Kanagawa. Graduated from Keio University, joined a securities firm before spending 20 years at US Cargill across finance, M&A, corporate strategy, and Indonesian food processing. Founded a Singapore-based ASEAN expansion consultancy in 2012, supporting Japanese food OEM manufacturers across Southeast Asia.


keita@ichisan.sg

THE FOUR PRINCIPLES

Our guiding philosophy

接続

CONNECT

Bridging Japan and Southeast Asia through deep, trust-based relationships built over decades on the ground.

拡大

EXPAND

Scaling food businesses across new markets and cultures with precision, local knowledge and strategic clarity.

変革

TRANSFORM

Turning food concepts into regional and global trends — reaching and sustaining that critical 13% threshold.

共走

PARTNER

Running the marathon alongside clients every step of the way — from first hypothesis to full market operation.

CONTACT

Begin the conversation

Ichi San Pte Ltd

UEN 202318202Z

160 Robinson Road #14-04
Singapore 068914

waka@ichisan.sg
keita@ichisan.sg

Group companies:
株式会社Kホールディングス
ノース・スター・トレーディング株式会社

Singapore · Japan · ASEAN

Ready to expand?

Whether you are a Japanese food brand looking to enter Southeast Asia, or a Singaporean or SEA business seeking to break into Japan, Ichi San Pte Ltd is your trusted partner for the entire journey.

We bring 40+ years of combined experience, deep bilateral networks, and a proven track record with brands including Ippudo, Pepper Lunch, NITORI and more.

We run the business marathon together with our clients to develop that trend.

© 2025 Ichi San Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.