[Updated 23/4/2026]

The Sapporo Model: A Compact City Powering a Sustainable Future – Business Opportunities in Sapporo City, Japan | Webinar

Useful links:
- STEP Sapporo (global website)

Overview

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, in cooperation with the City of Sapporo, is pleased to invite European companies, clusters, and business support organisations to a webinar exploring business opportunities in Sapporo, Japan.

This session will present a dynamic business environment in Sapporo, with a particular focus on key growth sectors such as AI/IT, food & agritech, semiconductors, and green innovation. Participants will gain insights into the city’s industrial strengths, support ecosystem, and concrete opportunities for collaboration and market entry.

🎯 Who should attend?

• European SMEs and start-ups
• Industrial clusters and regional organisations
• Research institutions
• Trade and investment promotion organisations

📅 Practical information

Date: 12 May 2026
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 (CEST) / 17:00 – 18:00 (JST)
Platform: Zoom webinar (free registration)

Participation conditions:
This webinar is open to European organisations, clusters, SMEs, investors and business support agencies from EU Member States (27) as well as SMP participating countries, interested in opportunities in Japan.

Participants are invited to submit one short question for the speakers upon registration. A selection of questions will be addressed during the Q&A session, and additional questions will be taken from the chat during the webinar and answered at the end.

Programme:

• 17:00 - 17:05 Opening Remarks & Introduction to EEN
  Speaker: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
• 17:05 - 17:10 Overview and Vision - Step up to Sapporo - Business at its peak
  Speaker: Ms Erika Suzuki, Economic & Tourism Affairs Bureau, City of Sapporo
  An overview of Sapporo’s business landscape and key growth sectors, highlighting the city’s business potential
• 17:10 - 17:20 Support Framework - One-Stop Services for Foreign Companies
  Speaker: Ms Sujin Hong, Section Chief, Sapporo Electronics and Industries Cultivation Foundation
  Introducing the "STEP" one-stop support desk. Through real-world examples, they showcase a reliable ecosystem for foreign companies to innovate with confidence
• 17:20 - 17:50 Talk Session - From Sapporo to the World: How Innovative Companies Are Shaping the Future Together
  Speaker: Ms Leina Lee, General Manager at Smartcube Co., ltd. (AI & Digital Twin specialists)
  Moderator: Ms Seiko Miura, General Manager, Sapporo Transnational Expansion and Partnership (STEP)
  A first-hand dialogue on why SMARTCUBE chose Sapporo and how STEP’s support accelerated their success, providing a practical roadmap for expansion
• 17:50 - 18:00 Q&A and Closing Remarks

If you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

About the organisers

EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (Enterprise Europe Network – EEN)
The EU-Japan Centre supports European SMEs in accessing the Japanese market and fosters industrial cooperation between the EU and Japan through the Enterprise Europe Network.

City of Sapporo
Sapporo is one of Japan’s leading regional innovation hubs, offering a strong industrial base, advanced R&D environment, and comprehensive support for foreign companies entering the Japanese market.