27 January 2026 -> 30 January 2026

Are you running a business specialising in lunar or deep space exploration, satellite equipment, upstream or ground-based space-related technologies and downstream applications? Would you like to present your solutions to potential partners and clients from Japan? If so, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (hereinafter, the Centre) has an exciting opportunity for you to explore the Japanese market, connect and exhibit at our Space Business Mission in Japan in January 2026.

ABOUT THE MISSION

The Centre's Space Business Mission in Japan will exhibit at the International Space Industry Exhibition (ISIEX) 2026 from 28 to 30 January 2026 in Tokyo. ISIEX aims to offer hybrid business matching opportunities for companies involved in the space-related tech for robots, lunar exploration, rocket development + manufacturing, launch infrastructure, satellite utilisation, and other downstream space-related services.

Selected mission participants will have the opportunity to connect with Japanese business partners and showcase their solutions during the 3-day exhibition. At a joint EU-Japan Centre booth in the exhibition area, Japanese-language posters will be provided based on the materials from mission participants, and Centre staff and professional interpreters will help to promote mission participants' products, technologies and assure maximum exposure with visitors of the exhibition.

Before travelling to Japan, mission participants will receive detailed information about the schedule and Japanese business etiquette through a webinar. This will ensure they are fully prepared for their business mission. A networking event or related activity will be organised one day prior to the participation to ISIEX 2026.

SCHEDULE

OBJECTIVES

• Explore and create partnering opportunities with Japanese companies.
• Gain valuable insights and knowledge about the Japanese market.
• Prepare the ground for practical cluster cooperation with Japanese counterparts as a cluster.

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

This call for applications targets individuals working for SMEs (small and medium enterprises, start-ups) (*) or Clusters (**) from the European Union or a country associated with the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar (***), specialised in:

• lunar exploration, deep space exploration, lunar development
• rocket manufacturing, rocket launch infrastructure
• satellite manufacturing and communication equipment, satellite utilisation business
• on-orbit space-related services
• space life support (clothing, food, housing)
• other space-related services; or space-related organisations and academia

(*) Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are companies that meet the standard criteria set by the European Commission to be classified as SMEs.
(**) Clusters are those who are registered in the European Cluster Cooperation Platform (http://www.clustercollaboration.eu). Registration on that platform is free of charge.
(***) Please check the status of your country here.

ELIGIBILITY

The applicant must:

• Work for a Cluster or an SME based in the European Union, or in a country associated with the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar (***)
• The headquarters of the company/cluster must be located in an EU/SMP country
• Be supported by their employer through a signed letter (in case they do not belong to senior management)
• Be able to participate in the entire programme
• Have a good command of English (recommended level B2 or higher)

Companies or clusters that are outside the scope of the defined sector/type-specific business mission will be rejected.

Companies and clusters are allowed to participate multiple times.

Applicants may be declined if they have previously cancelled their participation or were absent during part of a prior mission without a valid reason or have in any other way acted contrary to the guidelines of the mission, local laws, customs, and regulations or have disobeyed the instructions of the Centre staff.

❈Please note that, if selected, the applicant is considered as the participant to the business mission. Any change in participating employee from the selected companies needs to be discussed with the EU-Japan Centre.

SELECTION

The Centre will evaluate applicants based on the following primary selection criteria:

• Strategy and potential regarding Japan
• Relevance for the topic of the mission and the targeted fair
• Professional background of the applicant

Priority will be given to new applicants. Applicants applying again for the same mission may be selected if they can convincingly explain why another participation would be beneficial for their business with Japan.

The mission will welcome 12 to 16 participants depending on budget availability.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

The EU-Japan Centre will cover the expenses for one representative per selected company/cluster for:

• Individual display stand in the joint EU-Japan Centre booth in the International Space Industry Exhibition
• Support by EU-Japan Centre staff and professional interpreters at the joint EU- Japan Centre booth
• Translation of poster and company profile, as well as printing of the poster for the exhibition

COSTS

Mission participants are responsible for covering:

• Flight and other travel expenses to Tokyo and the trade fair venue
• Accommodation in Tokyo
• Other living expenses in Japan, including local transportation and meals
• If utilised: Promotional materials for their company, e.g. flyers, business cards, etc.

DEPOSIT

Participants who have been selected for the mission are required to pay a deposit of €1000 to secure their spot in the mission. After a brief post-event report is submitted, the deposit will be refunded. Before applying, please ensure you are committed to participate, as cancelling after confirming your participation will result in a forfeiture of the deposit.

In practice, the following penalties apply:

• In case of cancellation after paying the deposit, the deposit will be forfeited. However, the deposit will be fully refunded in case of force majeure, such as natural disasters, or other unforeseeable circumstances beyond the participant's control.
• Failure to show up during the mission (at the EUJCIC booth or mandatory side- events): for each day that the participant will be absent without valid reason, between 200 to 250 EUR will be deducted (200 EUR for a 5-day mission, 250 EUR for a 4-day mission).

❈Signatures for each mission day are collected to serve as proof of participation.

Any question? Contact Follow-up_CSM@eu-japan.eu

Don't miss out on this great networking opportunity!

SUBMISSION

Please submit your application through the webform

TIMELINE

Call opening: 4 August 2025 Deadline: 15 October 2025