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Frequently asked questions

How to apply?

By filling in the appropriate application form and sending the requested supporting documents (listed on the application form) by the deadline date. Some activities allow application forms to be submitted online; some require application forms to be downloaded, completed and submitted by email; others allow both possibilities.

Please refer to the individual event webpage to see how to apply for an activity that interests you. Should you download, complete and submit your application by email (as opposed to completing an online application form), please ensure that the total size of your message an attachments does not exceed 10MB. Should you need to send more than 10MB of attachments please split your attachments between several messages or use a file transfer website (such as https://www.wetransfer.com).

About the deposit for SMEs.

All participants will be requested to make a €1000 refundable deposit to secure their place. The deposit will be refunded to SMEs companies shortly after the end of the mission and the submission of a brief post-event report.

Penalties and deposit

The deposit is refunded only after the fully completion of the mission. In case of unjustified last minute cancellation from the participant side, the deposit will not be refunded. In case of absence of the participant during one or more days of the event, the deposit will be refunded only partially. Please refer to each programme description for the exact conditions.

What happens if my company does not pay the deposit?

Once informed of the selection, you have a couple of weeks to confirm your participation and make the deposit payment.
If the deposit payment is not made within the given deadline, your place will be offered to another applicant on a waiting list.

As an SME, do I have to pay to attend a mission or training in Japan?

The supports from the EU-Japan Centre are provided free or charge to SME companies. There are no organization fees to be paid if selected.

What does my company have to pay?

Selected companies must cover any costs unrelated to the training itself: trip to Japan, accommodation, living expenses of the participant.

What is an SME?

An SME is a Small and Medium sized Enterprise. Usually it has a <50M turnover and <250 employees. If part of a group, the consolidated data of the group must be taken into account. For more details please refer to the SME criteria as redacted by the European Union here. And to the SME user guide here with many examples.

Can I provide an SME self-statement or turnover data?

NO. Any document attesting of your SME status must be official: financial annual release... 

Can I attend only a part of the mission?

NO. Applicant must commit to attend the whole mission or they are not eligible for the selection.

For the Get Ready For Japan training, can I attend only the online session?

NO. Applicant must commit to attend the two weeks of the training in their totality, otherwise they are not eligible for the selection.

For the Get Ready For Japan and WCM trainings can I apply from a EU company branch based outside the EU?

NO. You must be physically working in the EU.

Where do the courses take place?

All parts of the training programme take place in various places in Japan. Lectures are usually given at our head office located in Tokyo.

Where do participants stay during the course?

We will communicate a list of recommended hotels to selected participants. Participants will be invited to book the hotel of their choice before their departure to Japan. Accommodation costs are covered by the applicant company.

How will I be prepared before the course?

For all our training courses we provide participants with some practical information (how to reach the hotel from the airport, accommodation facilities, meeting-point times and locations, subway and city maps, telephone rental information, etc).

A pre-departure briefing (online webinar) is also organized approximately 2/3 weeks before the start of the programme.

Can I apply together with a colleague?

NO, we may only accept one application per company to any of our missions/training in Japan except for the WCM one.

For the WCM training, we accept multiple applications from a same company. However you will be asked to mention a first-choice candidate in case we cannot offer you several places. Each candidate should fill in a separate application form.

How will my application be assessed?

A Selection Board will assess candidates based on written information in the application documents.

I did a mistake while filling to application.

Please contact us to provide any relevant document or revised information. Although this is not automatic, we might contact applicants whose documents are deemed not sufficient. Applications without proper documents will be considered as ineligible.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence in my application form?

We kindly ask applicants to fill in the application form honestly and individually. While the use of language review tools is permitted, we strongly advise against relying on intelligent software to complete your responses. Your personal input is essential to the integrity of the application process. 

When will I know if I am selected?

The Selection Board takes place after the application deadline date. Once places are allocated, the European Commission and the EU-Japan Centre's Head Office are asked to approve its decision. Final results are announced to applicants in the days following the Selection Board.

I am not working for an industrial company, so can I still apply?

Applicants must be working for an entity that is a juridical person based in an eligible country.

Consulting firms may apply but will not be given priority.

Can I apply several times?

We kindly invite you to avoid applying  several times for the same programme.

Can I apply after a deadline?

NO. Once an application period is closed, we may no more accept candidatures. If you are interested to attend a future mission or training, please let us know and we will notify you when the following application period will be launched.

Countries eligible for participating in EU-Japan Centre's activities.

Eligible applicants are those working for an entity that is a juridical person based in

  • the European Union, or
  • a European country associated to the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar*
  • when part of a group, the group headquarter must also be based in the EU or a country associated to the Single Market Programme.

*Please check the status of your country at https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/guidance/list-3rd-country-participation_smp_en.pdf 

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