What are the opportunities for SMEs in Europe to cooperate with Japanese companies in introducing 5G?The fifth generation of mobile systems is commercially launched in Japan during the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020. 5G is very different from previous generations since it is much more than just smartphone applications and voice communications. 5G is a complete ecosystem, with hundreds of vertical applications. Japanese IT industry wants to cooperate with foreign companies to provide a large...

Do you want strategic insight, tactical guidance and real-life examples of how to succeed in the Japanese jewellery market?The aim of this webinar is to present an overview of trends and opportunities on the Japanese jewellery market, drawn from the experiences of European SMEs, and to deliver strategic insight, tactical guidance and real-life examples of how to succeed in the Japanese jewellery market. The webinar includes an overview of the Japanese jewellery market, a critical discussion of...

What is the current status of the implementation of Society 5.0 in Japan?Whereas other countries primarily are applying IoT in the manufacturing sector, Japan wants to go a step further and also utilize technologies such as AI and big data to further drive the digital transformation. By merging the physical space (real world) and cyberspace, a super-smart society can be created in which humans and new technologies can coexist. Society 5.0 will network all people together to achieve broader socio...

What business opportunities currently exist for European SMEs seeking to invest in Japanese markets for pharmaceutical products and services?The agreement recently reached and finalising the negotiations phase of the EU-Japan EPA, signals growing business opportunities for EU-based SMEs. This webinar highlights opportunities for EU-based SMEs offering products and services in the pharmaceuticals industry, including markets for medical devices and treatments. Drawing on real-life success stories...

What are the strategic insight, tactical guidance and real-life examples to succeed in the Japanese furniture and interior market?This webinar aims to present an overview of trends and opportunities on the Japanese furniture and interior market, drawn from the experiences of European SMEs, and to deliver strategic insight, tactical guidance and real-life examples of how to succeed in the Japanese market. Furthermore it includes a critical discussion of distribution channels on the Japanese...

What opportunities does the cheese market in Japan offer to EU companies?Japan has a short history of eating cheese that is not part of the traditional cuisine. More than 50% of the cheese consumption is processed cheese, and about 35% of the imported natural cheese is used for domestic production of processed cheese. In recent years, the Japanese imports of cheese is increasing, and, in particular, imports from EU. The growing wine consumption has resulted in increased sales of cheese as...

How can European SMEs in tourism retail and distribution business compete with global OTAs?Today more and more tourism sales and marketing are done online and a handful of global Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) appear to dominate the tourism sector. Offline and other channels still hold good market shares; however, they are mostly small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) operating locally or regionally and facing increasing threats from those technology-based global giants. In this competitive...

How can we search Japanese patent information online and understand the information retrieved?No prior knowledge of the Japanese patent system, patent documentation or available sources required.Japanese companies continue to file a steady number of around 350 000 patent applications per year – a huge repository of prior art which European industry simply cannot afford to ignore. This is especially true for those technological areas where Japan is particularly strong.This webinar will help you...

What are the key factors for a successful entry into the Japanese e-commerce market?Japan is the world’s fourth largest e-commerce market with annual growth estimated at 9.1% in 2016 to ¥15.136 trillion. E-commerce offers excellent means of entry into the Japanese market as it is scalable, relatively low-cost and enables merchants to retain control over their business operations. This webinar is meant to be a practical “how-to guide” that provides overseas ecommerce merchants with a detailed...

How has Fintech become a strong area within the Japanese startup ecosystem and where do the opportunities lie for European entrepreneurs and investors?The knowledge gained from our webinar will uncover the reasons why Fintech is booming in Japan although it is a very new concept. Besides the support from the Japanese government which passes laws to support the sector’s growth, Japanese megabanks have also understood the need of innovation for investment opportunities but also as a way to improve...

How is Japan’s regulatory stance efficiently incorporating fintech into Japan’s economic landscape?Consisting of numerous and diverse fast-growing segments, the fintech industry is fast becoming a vital industry across the world’s key markets. As a technological leader, Japan is an emerging player in the fintech landscape. Japan is one of the foremost DLT markets, while aggressive growth in numerous market segments including the robo-advisor, PFM, and fintech lending industries give rise to a...

How do I establish first contacts and lay the basis for a good relationship with Japanese partners?Many products and services that are successful in Europe will undoubtedly also be appreciated in Japan. Just how to find and approach potential partners in the land of the rising sun? This webinar tells you all about the appropriate channels and strategies to introduce yourself to Japanese customers. It takes you through the process from first contact making to getting ready for your initial trip...

How can I turn my first encounter with Japanese business partners into a success?This webinar has been postponed to 23/10/2018A first encounter with Japanese business partners can be quite challenging. Having a realistic view of what can be achieved at all and what pitfalls are to be avoided, is of vital importance. Not only do you need to know about the basic business etiquette. You will also have to be acquainted with Japanese communication and presentation styles. No matter if you meet up...

What are the significant advancements in autonomous driving systems in Japan?Unknown to many in the industry, Japan has a variety of autonomous driving systems developments that will likely be adopted by major automakers in the coming years. Major automakers like Toyota and Nissan are investing heavily, but so are a variety of lesser-known Japanese tech, chip and auto electronics companies. Meanwhile, Japan’s government has made development of such autonomous driving systems a key priority for...

What are the different ways for EU SMEs to access financing in Japan?It has always been difficult for EU SMEs to access financing, even in their home market. When seeking financial support for an EU SME on the Japanese market, it pays to look at Japan in the many public as well as private sources of financing.This webinar will discuss the traditional ways to access financing in Japan, as well as alternative financial support ideas. The webinar is targeted to EU companies seeking financial...

To register for this webinar, please fill the form on EU-Japan website. When do I have to pay Consumption Tax when I do business with Japan?Do I have to pay Consumption Tax? How can I get paid consumption tax back? How to deal with Consumption Tax when doing business with or in Japan is a question that is often asked to JTPP Helpdesk’s experts, as it operates rather differently from the EU VAT regime. In this webinar, Tokyo-based tax attorney Ms. Hiroko Koido will give an outline of the rules...

How do I follow up visits in Japan and keep in touch with Japanese Business Partners?As pointed out in the previous webinar, first visits are essential to get to know your potential business partners in person and lay the basis for a mutually beneficial relationship. However, they rarely produce any concrete results – let alone a contract. All the more important it is to keep in touch once you are back in your home country. Following up a visit properly shows your upright interest in the...

What are the recent developments in the AR and VR fields in Japan and where can EU companies add value to the market?Augmented reality and Virtual reality are still technologies in development but with a lot of potential in many domains. The Japanese government issued a report as early as 2016 about the expected long-term positive effects on the Japanese economy brought by AR and VR. The Japanese AR and VR market has a lot of strong players in the gaming field including Sony for Hardware or...

Would you like to seize business opportunities in Japan’s service economy? In considering a service-related business venture into a new market, one needs to maximize opportunities by taking all possible trade linkages into consideration. Access to reliable information is the key for success. When entering a particular foreign market, it is a rule of thumb to target local partners who have market knowledge and developed business networks. When growing your service-related business, it is...

How do I successfully prepare and negotiate a deal?Meetings with Japanese partners follow a different agenda than the one we are used to in Europe. They require a more meticulous preparation process and a good deal of formality. For European business people, the greatest challenge however lies in the fact that Japanese meetings tend to be lengthy and tedious and seldom produce any concrete output. Many try to speed up the process, insist on achieving visible results or put pressure on the...