The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), in collaboration with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), is pleased to announce that nine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been selected to advance to Phase 2 of the ASEAN-Japan SME Cybersecurity and Cross-border Market Expansion Workshop 2026.
Following the completion of Phase 1, which brought together 24 enterprises from nine ASEAN Member States, the selected SMEs will move from capacity-building to targeted expert mentoring, business strategy refinement, and preparation for potential engagement with Japanese business partners.
Phase 2: From Learning to Implementation Through Expert Mentoring
Beginning in November 2026, Phase 2 will focus on translating the knowledge gained during Phase 1 into practical business improvements and actionable Japan-market entry strategies.
Through targeted mentoring with experts in cybersecurity, digital transformation, and business expansion, the selected enterprises will receive guidance to further strengthen their market positioning, address cybersecurity and regulatory readiness gaps, and explore opportunities for collaboration with Japanese businesses.
The mentoring will focus on three complementary areas:
- Cybersecurity Research and Regulatory Readiness: Understanding Japan’s cybersecurity landscape, relevant standards, and regulatory considerations for secure cross-border operations.
- Digital Transformation and Market Expansion: Refining market-entry strategies, identifying opportunities for digital innovation, and strengthening business positioning in the Japanese market.
- Cybersecurity for Business: Integrating practical cybersecurity measures into business operations to strengthen digital trust, resilience, and credibility with potential Japanese partners.
Phase 2 also aims to facilitate networking, knowledge exchange, and potential co-innovation opportunities between ASEAN SMEs and the Japanese business ecosystem.
Meet the Phase 2 Mentors
Three leading experts from Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region will guide the selected enterprises throughout Phase 2, bringing complementary expertise in cybersecurity, digital innovation, and business development.
Figure 1 Mentor profiles for Phase 2 of the ASEAN-Japan SME Cybersecurity and Cross-border Market Expansion Workshop 2026
Prof. Youki Kadobayashi — Cybersecurity Research
Laboratory for Cyber Resilience, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan
Prof. Kadobayashi leads the Laboratory for Cyber Resilience at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology, advancing cybersecurity research and international collaboration. With 20 years of experience advising ICT regulatory agencies in Japan, he has also developed cybersecurity education initiatives and an extensive professional network of more than 1,000 cybersecurity specialists.
Ms. Elaine Liew — Digital Transformation and Market Expansion
Asia-Pacific Business Leader | Formerly AWS, Palo Alto Networks, SAP, Oracle, and IBM
Ms. Liew brings over 30 years of experience in digital transformation, cloud technologies, strategic partnerships, and market expansion. Having held senior regional leadership roles at leading global technology companies, she specializes in business growth, partner ecosystems, and responsible technology adoption. She is also an accredited board director with expertise in corporate governance and compliance.
Mr. Hayato Kiriyama — Cybersecurity for Business
CEO and Asia-Pacific Managing Director, Cyber Security Cloud
Mr. Kiriyama brings expertise at the intersection of cybersecurity and business strategy, helping enterprises strengthen security as a foundation for growth and trust. He is also an Associate Professor at GLOBIS and serves as a Director and Executive Committee member of Asia-ISAC, supporting cybersecurity collaboration and information-sharing across the region.
Meet the Nine Selected Enterprises
The following nine SMEs have been selected to participate in Phase 2, representing enterprises committed to strengthening their digital and cybersecurity capabilities while pursuing opportunities for business expansion and collaboration with Japan.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening ASEAN–Japan Business Collaboration
Building on the foundations established during Phase 1, the mentoring phase will help selected enterprises refine their business strategies, strengthen cybersecurity and digital trust, and prepare for potential engagement with Japanese counterparts.
Through this initiative, AJC and ASEAN-BAC aim to support the development of more competitive, digitally resilient, and market-ready ASEAN SMEs, while fostering opportunities for sustainable cross-border collaboration and business partnerships between ASEAN and Japan.
