Building Partnerships and Trust for Whoscall's Success in Japan

The trigger for Gogolook's decision to bring Whoscall to Japan was closely linked to the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. As Kuo explains, "We joined the 'Beyond Coronavirus Demonstration Experiment,' a Proof of Concept (PoC) event hosted by the Fukuoka City Government in June 2020." The event highlighted the surge in digital fraud scam calls during the pandemic and the urgent need for solutions like Whoscall.

Expanding into Japan was attractive due to the country's large market size. Kuo notes that "Japan presents some notable challenges, yet Japan's economic scale and population also make it exceptionally appealing." JETRO played an essential role in aiding Gogolook's market entry, providing market research, insights and connections. Kuo emphasizes the value of this support:With JETRO's support, we were able to smoothly gather information on entering the Japanese market, develop networks and relationships with local governments and private companies."

Fukuoka was chosen as Whoscall’s base in Japan for several reasons. "Fukuoka's vibrant startup ecosystem, reputation as an innovation hub and supportive policies – including grants, subsidies and tax breaks – made it an ideal and attractive location for our Japanese operations," Kuo says.

At the time, Fukuoka was grappling with a significant surge in fraudulent activities, which made it a relevant location for the company's services, according to Kuo. This situation highlighted the necessity for Whoscall's presence in the region, aligning the company's capabilities with the city's immediate needs.

The use of Fukuoka City's Proof of Concept Demonstration Experiment Full Support Project was a critical step in adapting Whoscall to local needs, including the development of new features like the SMS Assistant.

Following its success in Fukuoka, Gogolook plans to extend its collaborations to other Japanese municipalities. "Our goal is to establish partnerships with even more local governments and to use our technology to help solve the scam problem of social issues for everyone to live in a safe and secure society." Lo says, adding "The positive response we've received from our collaboration with Fukuoka City has encouraged us to explore similar partnerships across Japan."

Beyond providing a service, Whoscall is committed to educating the public on digital security risks, positioning itself as a proactive player in enhancing public safety and digital literacy. The company's strategy includes not only workshops and seminars but also the sharing of its extensive database through APIs, allowing businesses to safeguard their communication channels effectively.