Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) successfully led a delegation to Japan to further deepen business ties between the two regions. The delegation's primary objective was to attract bilateral business opportunities in the Digital Tech and FinTech sectors and to facilitate strategic technology investments benefiting both economies.
Breakthrough in Hong Kong-Japan Tech Exchange
From June 30th to July 4th, 2025, King Leung, Global Head of Financial Services and FinTech at InvestHK, led a delegation comprising 16 Hong Kong enterprises, institutions, universities, and family offices—including Waffo, Hong Kong Baptist University, HKUST, and Web3 Harbour.
The delegation attended a series of high-level meetings and events in Osaka and Kyoto arranged with Japanese partners such as HashPort, Headline Asia, and IVC.
Osaka Leg: Deep Dialogue with Industry Leaders
From June 30th to July 1st, the delegation engaged with leading organisations in innovation and digital transformation in Osaka, including the Osaka City Government, Osaka Digital Exchange (ODX), JETRO, SBI Group, Plug and Play Japan, and the NTT West Japan Innovation Centre.
These meetings strengthened economic and trade ties and explored new avenues for commercial cooperation.
Kyoto Leg: Participating in IVS 2025, Japan’s Largest Startup Event
From July 2nd to July 4th, the delegation moved to Kyoto to attend IVS 2025, Japan's largest startup gathering hosted by Headline Asia and IVC. Industry leaders and startups engaged in deep exchanges regarding global venture capital trends, capital matching, business collaboration, and digital tech development.
Mr. King Leung, Global Head of Financial Services and FinTech at InvestHK, stated: "This trip is a significant milestone in consolidating Hong Kong-Japan innovation and technology cooperation. As innovation exchange and trade cooperation between the two places become closer, we are entering a new era of reshaping the digital economy with frontier digital and financial technologies."
Timing the "Digital Asset Policy Statement 2.0"
The visit coincided perfectly with the Hong Kong SAR Government's release of the "Policy Statement on Development of Virtual Assets in Hong Kong 2.0" on June 26, 2025.
The statement reiterates the government's commitment to developing Hong Kong into a global innovation hub for digital assets. It proposes the "LEAP" framework, covering:
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Legal and regulatory optimisation.
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Expansion of tokenised products.
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Advancement of application scenarios.
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Talent and partnership development.
Fruition of Bilateral Cooperation: Success Stories
01. Zaiko: First Successful Landing in Hong Kong
Japanese enterprise Zaiko, a portfolio company of Headline Asia, became the first company to successfully establish a presence in Hong Kong following InvestHK's 2024 delegation. Their platform leverages live streaming and data analytics to enhance creator-supporter interaction.
02. Waffo: Deepening Roots in Asia, Expanding New Opportunities
Waffo established its presence in Hong Kong in 2023 as a base for Asian expansion and participated in the Japan delegation for the second consecutive year.
Having successfully tapped into the Japanese market and set up a local office, Waffo now partners with multiple Japanese clients to launch innovative Global Payment and Risk Control Solutions. This trip further solidifies Waffo's growth strategy in the Japanese market.
03. Gordian Group: Breakthrough in Real Estate Tokenisation
Gordian Group, a diversified Hong Kong conglomerate, launched its Real Estate Tokenisation (RWA) project in Japan during this trip. With InvestHK's support, they gained access to frontier market intelligence, marking a significant step in global digital asset innovation.
Future Outlook: A Win-Win for the Global Digital Economy
As a participating enterprise, Waffo deeply felt the potential for cooperation between Hong Kong and Japan in the FinTech sector.
Looking ahead, Waffo will continue to deepen strategic partnerships with global markets, providing superior global payment solutions for cross-border enterprises and helping more businesses seize international market opportunities.