Bringing local dried fish to tables overseas: The reason why we sought a "right-hand man" for our first overseas expansion.Yasuda Co., Ltd.

Could you tell us what led you to introduce STANDAGE's automated trading service this time?

We're having them conduct regulatory and market research, targeting countries like Singapore. They're reliable because they respond quickly to questions about regulations and other issues.

We are also working on product development in parallel. In addition to our individually packaged products, we are developing products that do not require heating, or can be eaten simply by warming them in a microwave or fryer. We envision a product where pre-cooked dried fish is flash-frozen and delivered by refrigerated shipping, allowing consumers to eat it after just a light warming.

Since shelf life is important for products destined for overseas markets, we plan to conduct bacterial testing on two types of products—one for domestic use (3-6 months) and another for overseas use (approximately 1 year)—by October 2026. We are also exploring spices that will not violate regulations.

While AI can now easily handle tasks like research and creating landing pages, what was difficult for us to do on our own was obtaining firsthand information from the local area.

The person in charge at STANDAGE interviewed locals about the dried fish culture, and we were able to obtain information that was different from what we could get from AI. I feel that this was particularly beneficial. We were also able to communicate face-to-face with the people in charge, and I feel that we were able to build a relationship that goes beyond work.

What effects have you seen since implementing it?

It's been about six months since we implemented the system, and we're now at the stage of shipping samples. We're still in the process of connecting with buyers, and since we've incurred costs for providing samples and other things, to be honest, we haven't seen any results in the form of sales yet. I think it will take a little more time before we start to see any changes.

However, changes are already happening within the company. Through regulatory and market research targeting Singapore and other locations, local regulatory information and food culture are now being shared internally. For example, information such as how to eat kama (a type of fish cake) and the local custom of eating with hands is being used in store operations and product development.

What kind of support do you expect from Omakase Trading in the future?

Due to regulations and other factors, we would like to start by expanding within Asia. Our hope is to find at least one buyer who likes our products, and if that goes well, we would like to expand from there and export to various regions.

I understand that achieving success within a two-year timeframe is not easy. That's why I feel it's so important for us to work together. I also hope that you will continue to support us beyond that point.

Comment from Mr. Yasuda of Yasuda Co., Ltd.

I think it's best to approach it with the mindset of leaving things to chance. However, if you expect immediate results, it probably won't work out. I think it's best for the manufacturer to also make an effort and utilize "Omakase Trading" as their right-hand tool. I feel that the initiative of the implementing party is important.