Regional Director, Makoto-Ya (S) Pte Ltd

Leanne Ng

Building bridges through sake, stories, and bold expansion. Leanne Ng is the Regional Director of Business Development at Makoto-Ya, Singapore and Malaysia’s leading importer of Japanese food and beverage products, including beloved brands like Sapporo, Kiku Masamune, and iichiko. Under her leadership, Makoto-Ya has grown into a powerhouse distributor, offering over 200 curated labels while expanding into rice milling and experiential events. 

Her biggest lesson? The power of community. She believes the future of drinking is experiential, as festivals, pairing events, and curated gatherings transform the act of drinking into a journey of discovery.

To stay inspired, she explores ideas beyond F&B, from creator markets to cultural festivals, always on the lookout for what’s next.

Her boldest move? Relocating to Malaysia for two years to scale the business. It was a leap into the unknown but one that paved the way for Makoto-Ya’s regional growth and deepened her commitment to building from the ground up.