M-DAQ, a Singaporean company that provides fintech services, has opened an office in Fukuoka, which aims to become an international financial hub in collaboration with partners in industry and academia. The company was invited to the city by Team Fukuoka, an industry-academia-government alliance. The company was established in Singapore in 2010, and with offices in South Korea, Hong Kong and Indonesia, it is known for its extensive track record in Southeast Asia. Fukuoka’s proximity to Asia, its similarity to Singapore, and the combined efforts of businesses, universities, and the government agencies to transform the city into an international financial hub, were viewed highly by M-DAQ and spurred its decision to open an office in the city. The company envisions the development of a range of services, such as allowing visitors to Japan to make electronic money payments via a smartphone app without the need to exchange currency.