Search

— Latest update: March 2026 — Introduction Japan energy policy has been evolving in the recent past years with principles of energy security, safety, economic efficiency and environmental aspect, shaping Japan’s energy future. With a set target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and the “Green Digital” GX strategy, Japan aims at significantly transform its energy landscape. According to the International Energy Association (IEA), the part of fossil fuel in Japan’s energy mix was 83.5% in...

The EU-Japan Centre has built up a pool of experts on Japan. Their knowledge covers various industrial sectors as well as cross-cultural, operational, legal or financial issues. It is with great pleasure that we share with you this database of selected experts. The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation has also commissioned various reports from these experts, which can be found in the library section of the site. Please note that the tailored services offered by the experts are subject to a...

From Supporting Organisations In 2013, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation began work on a mapping project of all EU non-profit organisations providing support to EU companies in their internationalisation process with Japan. The database contains a list of the organisations which participated in our project and supplied details on the types of support and expertise they provide.* You may search the organisation database by ticking the 'Organisation' option in the left-hand column and...

About the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Established in 1987, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is a unique venture between the European Commission and the Japanese Government. It is a non-profit organisation aimed at promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan and at improving the competitiveness and collaboration of EU and Japanese companies by facilitating exchanges of experience and know-how between EU and Japanese...

— Latest update: June 2023 — The Japanese processed food market has traditionally been regarded as difficult to enter as regulations are very strict. However, it has enormous potential. Frozen foods consumption has doubled over the past two decades and continues to grow. At-home cooking has been gradually declining, and there is a growing demand for convenient ready-to-eat meals. The COVID-19 pandemic also influenced consumers as they have increasingly sought foods and drinks to prepare at home...

Prefecture flag Main City: Fukui Population: 787,000 people ranking 43/47 prefecture (2015) [1] Area: 4,188 km2 [2] Geographical / Landscape description The province faces the Sea of Japan, and has a western part which is a narrow plain between the mountains and the sea, and a larger eastern part with wider plains including the capital and most of the population. [2] Climate Due to its location on the coast of the Japan Sea, Fukui climate is characterized by important snowfall and heavy rains...

Prefecture flag Main City: Fukuoka Population: 5,103,000 people, ranking 9/47 prefecture (2015) [1] Area: 4,846 km2 [2] Geographical / Landscape description Fukuoka Prefecture faces the sea on three sides, bordering the Saga, Oita, and Kumamoto prefectures and facing Yamaguchi Prefecture across the Kanmon Straits. Fukuoka includes the two largest cities on Kyushu, Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, and much of Kyushu's industry. It also includes a number of small islands near the north coast of Kyushu. [2]...

Prefecture flag Main City: Fukushima Population: 1,812,000 people, ranking 21/47 prefecture (2021) Area: 13,784 km2 Geographical / Landscape description Fukushima is both the southernmost prefecture of the Tohoku region and the prefecture of the Tohoku region that is closest to Tokyo. It is divided by mountain ranges into three areas called Aizu, the most mountainous area, Nakadori the agricultural heart of the prefecture that contains the capital, and Hamadori the coastal area. It is the third...

— Latest update: April 2025 — The Japanese food market was valued at $564 billion in 2022. Japan relies on imports from other countries for the bulk of its food supply. The Japanese market is highly competitive with consumers seeking quality, value, and convenience. One of the growing trends of the last few years is the increase in consumption of functional and healthy food, especially those with a high protein content. The Japanese consumers are focusing more on these sectorial products for...

Japan is a representative democracy consisting of 47 prefectures. The country's Constitution dates from 1947 and is the result of an amendment to the Constitution of the Meiji era.

Japan is quite isolated in geographical terms and, as is often the case with island countries, many of Japan’s cultural traits and its differences from overseas neighbours are attributed to this geographic isolation.

Due to the current global health situation, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation replaced its 2-week physical programme in Japan by a 2-week online programme. The objective of this programme remains the same: helping participants to get an in-depth understanding of how to do business in Japan. The 2-week 'Get Ready for Japan' scheme offers EU managers the unique opportunity to experience and understand both the cultural and economic elements which define and explain Japan's business...

In support of the recommendations of health officials, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is postponing its programme "Get Ready for Japan" until September 2020.The programme originally scheduled 18 - 29 May 2020, is now foressen on 7 - 18 September 2020.For more information about the programme: https://www.eu-japan.eu/events/get-ready-for-japan-training-programmeWe sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and look forward to having you on board in September. If...

In addition to the information provided on this website, companies are free to ask for further support. The EU-Japan Centre will provide some support for free within its mandate and will refer you to select experts who may be able to answer complex enquiries or provide customised support (e.g. market analysis reports). The referral will be free of charge, but the experts may charge a fee for their services.

Prefecture flag Main City: Gifu Population: 2,033,000 people ranking 17/47 prefecture (2015) [1] Area: 10,621 km2 [2] Geographical / Landscape description One of the few landlocked prefectures in Japan. In the Hida Region, located in northern Gifu, mountain peaks exceed 3,000 metres above sea level. In contrast, in the Mino Region, situated in southern Gifu, the Kiso, Nagara, and Ibi Rivers flow into the Nobi Plain. [2] Climate Because the Mino region is surrounded by low mountains, the...