Mission dates: 27-30 April 2027

Are you running a business specialising in the development of defence technologies and solutions, such as cyber-security, Uncrewed/autonomous systems, laser technologies, satellite communications or radar technologies? Would you like to present your solutions to potential partners and clients from Japan? If so, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation offers you an exciting opportunity to explore the Japanese market, connect and exhibit at our Defence Business Mission in Japan in April 2027.

ABOUT THE MISSION

In April 2026, the Japanese government removed decades-long barriers to the export of defence equipment, adding a new dynamic to a market that had previously been limited to fulfilling domestic needs. The decision to lift these barriers was driven by rapid geopolitical changes, as well as by a desire to strengthen Japan's own defence industrial base by enlarging the prospective markets for its defence manufacturers. Against this backdrop, the Centre’s Defence Business Mission in Japan provides EU companies the opportunity to showcase their solutions at the DSEI Japan 2027 exhibition, the only large-scale integrated defence trade-fair in Japan from April 27-30, 2027 in Tokyo. DSEI Japan allows unprecedented levels of access into the Japanese and wider Asia-Pacific market. During the previous edition in 2025,  13,385 visitors including more than  1,100 VIPs and delegations from across the world attended DSEI Japan and exhibitors met with some of the Asia-Pacific’s key decision makers. 

The Centre is planning to offer up to 16 EU defence-related companies the opportunity to exhibit in-person at DSEI Japan 2027. Selected participants will have the opportunity to connect with Japanese business partners and showcase their solutions during the 3-day exhibition. The program is preceded by a one-day program that includes a pitching/networking event to Japanese government- and industry representatives, as well as an opportunity to meet with defence-attaches from EU member states. At the Centre’s joint booth, mission participants will have their promotion material translated in Japanese-language posters, ensuring their products and technologies are effectively communicated to the Japanese visitors. Moreover, the mission will include professional interpreters to ensure that participants feel confident and well-supported throughout the event.

SERVICES OFFERED BEFORE THE MISSION

Before travelling to Japan, participants will be provided with two online training modules to prepare for the mission. The sessions are currently scheduled in the mornings of 24 and 25 March (TBC). Details of the agenda for each day of training will be communicated in due course.

OBJECTIVES

• Explore and create partnering opportunities with Japanese government organizations and companies in the defence sector
• Gain valuable insights and knowledge about the Japanese market.

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

This call for applications targets individuals working for companies, including SMEs (*) and large companies, or clusters (**), from the European Union or a country associated with the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar (***).

The mission targets companies and clusters specializing in military or dual-use technologies, including:

• Missile technologies (In particular stand-off defence capabilities, integrated air defence missile capabilities, launch platform technologies, hypersonic technologies) 

• SHIELD (Synchronized, Hybrid, Integrated and Enhanced Littoral Defense) 

• Layered coastal defence systems  

• Cybersecurity, IT, Quantum, AI technologies/datalinks/electronic warfare  

• Radar technologies 

• Laser, acoustic, or satellite communication technologies 

• Uncrewed/autonomous assets defence potential  

• Drones (UAV) technologies 

• Maritime drone technologies (USV, UUV) 

• Counter drone technologies 

• Space Situational/Domain Awareness (SSA/SDA) 

• Satellite communications  

• Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensor technologies 

• Space technologies (satellites (including SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar)) 

• Underwater systems 

• Defence Logistics solutions 

• Personal protection solutions and technologies (shelters, personal armour etc.) 

• Advanced materials  

(*) 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 Collaboration Platform (https://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 legal entity located in the European Union, or in a country associated with the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar (***)
• have its (group) company/cluster headquarters in an EU/SMP country   
• be supported by their head of department/CEO through a signed letter (in case they do not belong to senior management)
• be able to participate in the entire mission
• 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. If prior participation in a business mission has occurred, please clearly state in the application form the reason for reapplying and the expected benefits of participating again.

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 disregarded the instructions of the Centre staff.

SELECTION 

The Centre will evaluate applications based on the following selection criteria:  

• Strategy and potential regarding the Japanese market 

• Relevance of their company/cluster for the topic of the mission and the targeted fair
• Professional background of the applicant
• Track record of supply to defence-related organisations or industry

The mission will accommodate a maximum of 16 companies. Other applicants who score at or above the average will be placed on a waitlist and ranked according to their scores. Only one application per company/cluster will be considered. 

Please note that once selected, the applicant will be regarded as a participant in the business mission. Any changes to the participating employee must be discussed with and approved by the EU-Japan Centre.

WHAT DO WE PROVIDE?

For all mission participants, the EU-Japan Centre will provide:

• Two online business and market training modules scheduled prior to the mission
• Entrance fees for events and the trade fair covered by the mission
• A standardised display stand in the shared booth of the EU-Japan Centre
• Assistance by EU-Japan Centre staff (such as for promotion, B2B meetings)
• Participation in a one-day program that includes a pitching/networking event to Japanese government and industry representatives, as well as an opportunity to meet with Defence-attachés from EU member states.
• Professional interpreters at the joint EU-Japan Centre booth and at the trade fair
• Translation of the poster and the company/cluster profile, as well as printing of the poster for the exhibition
• Tailored 1-to-1 meetings with Japanese counterparts (arranged by the EU-Japan Centre)
• Custom-built IP-related advice and Public Procurement Tender Scan (on-demand)
• (TBC) Hotel accommodation, arranged by the EU-Japan Centre, from Monday 26 April to Friday 30 April (check-out morning). All selected participants will be provided with the same room type.

WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS NEED TO COVER?

All mission participants are responsible for covering:

• Flights and other travel expenses to the starting point of the mission in Japan and after completion of the mission.
• Living expenses in Japan including local transportation and meals.

DEPOSIT AND CONTRIBUTION FEE

To secure their spot, all selected participants must pay a €1,000 deposit. This deposit will be refunded upon successful completion of full mission participation and submission of the required questionnaires.

Large companies (non-SMEs / non-clusters) must also pay a non-refundable contribution fee of €2,500 to secure their spot in the mission.

 PENALTIES

In practice, the following penalties apply:

Last-minute cancellations made after confirming participation may result in the forfeiture of the deposit and, where applicable, the contribution fee. However, a refund is possible in cases of force majeure, such as natural disasters or other unforeseeable circumstances beyond the participant's control.

Failure to attend the mission (at the EU-Japan Centre booth or mandatory mission events): for each day that a participant is absent without a valid reason, between 200 and 250 EUR will be deducted (200 EUR for a 5-day mission, 250 EUR for a 4-day mission).

FURTHER DETAILS

The call for participation will be launched from October 5, 2026.
A submission webform will be available on this page by then. 

Please check our website regularly for the latest updates or sign up for our newsletter.

The organisation of the Defence Business Mission is pending the receipt of an EU grant for the activities of the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation for the period covering cycle 2026–2028 of the programme. Therefore, please note that this call is subject to the award and signature of an EU Grant Agreement, and may therefore be adjusted or cancelled if necessary.