How Can Cashback Rewards Evolve the Shopping Experience in Japan, the 'Nation of Points'? ShopBack Co-Founder & CEO Presents Japan Market Potential at IVS 2026

Ecommerce Enablers Pte. Ltd. (Headquarters: Singapore), the operator of the AI-targeting commerce platform 'ShopBack,' announces that its Co-Founder and CEO, Henry Chan, participated in the session titled 'Japan × Southeast Asia: Where Are the Real Opportunities in Funding and Markets?' at the startup conference 'IVS 2026' held in Kyoto on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The session discussed how Southeast Asia-born startups should approach the Japanese market, including localization, trust-building, and partnership strategies. Drawing from his experience expanding ShopBack from its Singapore origins to 13 markets worldwide, Henry spoke about the potential of cashback rewards—highly compatible with Japan’s points culture—and the new shopping experiences that could emerge through collaboration with Japanese companies.

ShopBack’s Potential in the Japanese Market, as Presented at IVS

Henry Chan highlighted ShopBack’s value proposition not as 'points to accumulate,' but as usable cashback, referencing Japan’s long-standing points culture. Amid rising prices and diversified shopping channels, consumers face increasing difficulty in deciding 'where and how to buy.' ShopBack can support more satisfying cross-category shopping experiences spanning retail, travel, and daily services.

For brands and merchants, ShopBack offers more than just ad exposure—it creates a 'purchase-intent touchpoint' connecting them directly with highly motivated consumers. The company’s expertise in merchant network development, reward design, and performance-based customer engagement, honed across 13 global markets, can help Japanese companies in e-commerce, travel, finance, daily goods, and lifestyle sectors create compelling reasons for consumers to choose them.

Furthermore, Henry pointed out that Japan already hosts numerous companies with strong customer touchpoints, including membership bases, payment infrastructures, loyalty programs, and e-commerce or physical store networks. He suggested that ShopBack should not operate a standalone B2C service but instead collaborate with these existing players to create a new shopping experience where value circulates among consumers, brands, and the platform.

Conditions for Growth in the Japanese Market, Revealed Through Panel Discussion

The session also featured Naoe Miyata, Founder & CEO of EN Innovation, and Intouch Mars Bonplakoon, CEO and Co-Founder of ViaBus. They engaged in an active discussion on the perspectives needed for overseas startups entering Japan. Miyata emphasized that success in Japan requires more than short-term deals—it demands repeated visits and consistent, long-term trust-building. Intouch highlighted the importance of reinterpreting challenges unique to each country and city, and translating them into 'truly valuable solutions' for local users and businesses.

Henry also shared insights from ShopBack’s international expansion, explaining their winning strategy in Japan based on respecting local teams’ decisions rather than imposing headquarters-led control. 'Japan already has many companies with strong customer relationships. Instead of ShopBack trying to carve out the market alone, we believe partnering with these companies can create meaningful new shopping experiences for both consumers and brands,' he said.

Through this IVS appearance, ShopBack presented the potential of reward experiences in Japan. The session demonstrated that by leveraging Japan’s existing points culture, membership bases, and brand-merchant relationships, it is possible to offer consumers 'more satisfying purchase choices' and businesses 'new customer touchpoints directly linked to purchases.'

Session Overview

· Title: Japan × Southeast Asia: Where Are the Real Opportunities in Funding and Markets?

· Date and Time: Friday, July 3, 2026, 14:00–15:00

· Venue: C Stage, 3rd Floor, Miyako Messe (Kyoto City Exhibition Hall)

· Speakers:

· Jennifer Lin (Principal, Headline Asia) – Moderator

· Henry Chan (Co-Founder & CEO, ShopBack)

· Naoe Miyata (Founder & CEO, EN Innovation)

· Intouch Mars Bonplakoon (CEO, ViaBus)

About IVS 2026

IVS, launched in 2007, is Japan’s largest startup conference, bringing together startups, investors, major corporations, and creators from around the world. In 2026, under the theme 'Japan is Back,' the event will feature a dual-zone format to deliver both 'discovery' and 'practical value,' proving the true potential of Japanese startups on the global stage.

Official Name: IVS2026

Schedule: Wednesday, July 1 – Friday, July 3, 2026

Location: Kyoto City Exhibition Hall 'Miyako Messe,' Hotel Okura Kyoto, and others

Organizer: IVS KYOTO Executive Committee (Headline Japan / Kyoto Prefecture / Kyoto City)

Official Website: https://www.ivs.events/

Official SNS: https://x.com/IVS_Official

Speaker Profile

<Henry Chan>

Co-Founder and CEO of ShopBack. In 2014, he founded ShopBack with the vision of 'making every day more rewarding.' He now leads the company’s overall strategy, driving it forward under the vision of 'Make every day more rewarding.'

Background

· Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS)

· Participant in the 'NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) program,' which sparked his entrepreneurial journey

· Former Co-Founder of early-stage startup 'RaveSquare'

· Former Regional Head of Partnerships at Zalora SEA, a leading Southeast Asian e-commerce fashion site

· Former Director of Strategic Partnerships at SingPost Commerce, the e-commerce division of Singapore Post

About ShopBack

ShopBack is an AI-targeting commerce platform connecting shopping, rewards, and payments. Guided by the vision 'Make every day more rewarding,' it offers users convenient and cost-effective lifestyles through online and offline shopping, travel, and various daily experiences. Users discover and engage with brands and services via ShopBack—whether shopping online or offline or booking travel—and receive cashback and other rewards.

Currently operating across 13 markets worldwide, centered on the Asia-Pacific region