Singapore Networking Events — How TokudAw founder, Wanping, Bridged Cultures to build a business
At two major SGN events in Tokyo, TokudAw’s founder shared how she turned frustration into a company connecting travelers to real Japan.
In March 2024, Dr. Wanping Aw—founder of TokudAw and Project Research Associate at Keio University—spoke at two Singapore Global Network-supported events in Tokyo: International Women’s Day Tokyo and Singapore Innovation Night.
At both, she shared how her personal experiences juggling education, research, and work across three countries led her to start a company that offers more than just travel. TokudAw was born out of a desire to make Japan easier to connect with—through private group tours, educational programs, and culturally fluent service designed to help guests experience the country more meaningfully.
From silence to starting up
After growing up in Singapore and studying in Australia, Wanping moved to Japan to pursue research in pharmacogenomics. But once inside the lab, she quickly noticed an invisible barrier: while her Japanese colleagues were polite, real dialogue—challenging ideas, exchanging views—rarely happened.
That silence planted a seed.
She realized it wasn’t just a workplace issue. It was a wider cultural gap; one that many visitors to Japan experience but struggle to name.
Blending her surname with that of her business partner and co-founder, Tokuda, Wanping created TokudAw: a company that reflects hybrid thinking and lived empathy. Its mission is simple but ambitious—to design private travel and learning programs that are flexible, inclusive, and built around real human connection.
Whether for families, students, or corporate groups, the goal is always the same: help people experience Japan in a way that feels personal, and possible.
Lessons from three education systems
At International Women’s Day Tokyo, themed “From Singapore to the World: Women Driving Change Across Borders,” Wanping spoke candidly about the journey that shaped her leadership style.
From Left to Right: Ms. Rachel Leng (COO and Co-Founder of SeiRogai, Inc.), Dr. Aw Wanping (Founder, TokudAw and Project Research Associate, Keio University), Ms. Li Lin Liew (Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Tokyo), Ms. Sophie Biswas (Finance & Compliance Professional, PEEL Lab Advisor), Ms. Ciel Liu (News Correspondent, Phoenix Satellite TV), Ms. Sandra Teh (Chief Culture Evangelist, AWS) and Mr. Ho Koi Foong, Regional Director (Northeast Asia) of Singapore Global Network.
She described the high-pressure expectations of the Singaporean education system, where comparison often stifled individuality, and how studying in Australia gave her space to explore ideas more freely. That contrast stayed with her.
Later, in Japan, she encountered another kind of limitation; one rooted not in grades but in silence. In research settings, ideas were rarely challenged out loud. It felt polite, but isolating.
These experiences now shape the culture at TokudAw. Wanping champions open communication, problem-solving from a young age, and creating space for people to speak honestly, without fear of being “too much.” As she said during the event, “When people feel safe to be themselves, they learn more—not just about a place, but about who they are in it.”
One example is TokudAw’s charity rice-planting program, which connects students with rural communities while supporting refugees in Japan.
What travel looks like when you rethink the rules
At Singapore Innovation Night, Wanping introduced TokudAw’s work within Japan’s tourism and education sectors, highlighting how thoughtful service design can unlock new opportunities in a system often defined by rigidity.
From Left to Right, speakers at the event: Mr. Allan Teng, (Founder and Senior Advisor of Workato APAC & Japan), Dr. Aw Wanping (Founder, TokudAw and Project Research Associate, Keio University), Ms. Rachel Leng (COO and Co-Founder of SeiRogai, Inc.), Ms. Yuki Obata (ISSHO, Inc), Satoshi Yoshida (CEO of GORIL Inc.) and Shunsuke Katoh, (COO of Moon Creative Lab).
She shared the company’s diverse offerings, from private car travel and bespoke leisure itineraries to accessible travel for older adults and multigenerational families. TokudAw also supports corporate clients through event coordination, business transfers, and executive travel planning.
Beyond logistics, Wanping emphasized the company’s growing portfolio of educational programs, designed to foster cross-cultural understanding through immersive, values-based experiences. From student learning journeys to charity partnerships, the goal is to connect guests with local communities in meaningful, socially responsible ways.
Drawing on her work as a Project Research Associate at Keio University, she also touched on the need for early exposure to creative thinking, critical dialogue, and real-world problem-solving—skills essential for a more adaptable and innovative future.
With roots in both Singaporean and Japanese cultures, TokudAw is positioned as a trusted bridge for guests navigating both.
From movement to meaning
Across both events, a consistent message emerged: travel is more than movement—it’s a way to learn, connect, and grow.
Wanping spoke about how TokudAw designs private journeys and educational programs that create space for empathy, dialogue, and cultural exchange. Be it for students, business travelers, or multigenerational families, each experience is an opportunity to challenge assumptions and build understanding.
Corporate events become conversations. Educational tours become perspective shifts.
As Wanping put it, “The best trips don’t just move you from place to place—they move you closer to understanding others and yourself.”
Where travel meets purpose
Both events were supported by the Singapore Global Network, which has also featured Wanping’s story in-depth read it here.
At TokudAw, we believe travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how you feel while you’re there, and what you carry forward. No matter if it’s a multigenerational family trip, an educational exchange, or a corporate retreat, we design each journey to support genuine connection, cultural understanding, and thoughtful exploration.
If you’re planning a private group tour or event in Japan, we’d love to help you shape something meaningful—built around your pace, your people, and what’s important to you.
To learn more or start planning, get in touch with our team here. We’d be happy to help.
