From 2026, the EU-Japan Centre’s long-standing Get Ready for Japan (GRFJ) programme is being restructured and integrated into our existing Business Missions as Business Training Modules.
These Training Modules are a two-day online preparation programme, delivered in the weeks prior to each mission’s departure, designed to help participating companies make the most of their time in Japan.
By combining practical market preparation with sector-specific insights, the programme ensures that participants arrive fully briefed, confident, and ready to engage with Japanese partners, institutions, and industry stakeholders.
Business Training Module Structure
Day 1 | Doing Business in Japan
A practical introduction to Japanese business culture, communication styles, and professional etiquette, delivered by a Japanese Business Expert.
This session equips participants with the cultural and communication tools needed to navigate meetings, networking events, and business discussions in Japan effectively.
Topics may include:
- Japanese business culture and decision-making
- Communication styles and meeting etiquette
- Cross-cultural negotiation approaches
- Building trust and long-term business relationships
- Practical mission preparation advice
Day 2 | Sector-Specific Market Intelligence
A dedicated industry-focused training session, delivered by an Industry Expert, tailored to the specific Business Mission.
This module provides market-driven insights, sector trends, regulatory considerations, and commercial opportunities relevant to the mission’s focus area.
Participants gain a clearer understanding of the Japanese market landscape before attending the mission and associated trade fair.
Topics may include:
- Market trends and current sector developments
- Key Japanese players and ecosystem mapping
- Regulatory and entry considerations
- Commercial opportunities and challenges
- Trade fair and B2B meeting preparation
We Are Currently Recruiting Day 2 Experts
The Centre is currently recruiting sector specialists and industry experts to deliver the Day 2 | Sector-Specific Market Intelligence modules.
We are looking for experts with strong market knowledge, presentation skills, and hands-on sector experience who can provide participants with actionable insights into the Japanese market.
Interested experts are invited to consult the current call for proposals and application details.
About Our Business Missions
Each year, the EU-Japan Centre organises a portfolio of sector-specific Business Missions to Japan, bringing groups of European companies to Tokyo and other locations for a structured programme of market briefings, institutional visits, B2B meetings, and company and site visits. All missions are aligned with major Japanese sector trade fairs, giving participating companies direct access to Japan’s industrial ecosystem through a curated combination of exhibition attendance, networking, and targeted business meetings.
The Business Training Modules are designed to complement these missions and maximise the value of participation.
Objectives of the Business Missions
The Business Missions aim to:
· Help EU companies initiate and develop connections in Japan
· Support EU companies in identifying potential partners for future business and innovation partnerships
· Offer first-hand exposure and promotion of EU companies’ technologies and services to prospective clients in Japan
· Provide actionable insights into the Japanese digital ecosystem and markets, including IP regulation, public procurement opportunities, and the R&D landscape
Explore success stories and case studies from former GRFJ participants and other Centre programmes.
