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DG GROW, JBIC, JETRO and EU Member States’ investment promotion agencies take part in the first EU Investment Forum

Tokyo, 10 March 2026 – The inaugural EU Investment Forum took place at the EU Delegation to Japan. Organised by the Centre’s Invest in EU Hub with the support of 21 investment promotion agencies (IPAs), it brought together representatives of the EU and Japanese Authorities and Japanese business to look at investment opportunities in the EU – including practical information, case studies and networking opportunities. In total, the event attracted around 140 participants.

The first part of the event featured speeches from the EU and Japanese Authorities: the EU Delegation to Japan’s Deputy Head of Mission, Thomas Gnocchi, opened the event. DG GROW’s Maive Rute (Deputy Director-General for Investment & Innovation) outlined the EU’s industrial policy, openness to Japan and what makes the EU an attractive destination for investment. Ramona Ocak (Policy Officer, InvestEU Governance Advisory Unit) outlined opportunities under InvestEU and EU Support Instruments. Tatsushi Amano (Senior Managing Executive Officer & Head of Resources Finance Group) gave the perspective of Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

HUB

The second part of the event featured case studies from Mitsubishi Materials Corporation’s Kazuhiko Tanaka (General Manager, Corporate Strategy Office, Corporate Division) on its recycling design business and resources business in the Netherlands and from Marubeni Corporation’s Masato Tachibana (General Manager, Next Generation Social Infrastructure Department) outlining Marubeni’s advanced energy storage project with Skeleton Technologies in Estonia. This part of the event concluded with a Q&A session and a closing speech from Susumu Kataoka, President of JETRO.

During the third part of the event, participants had the opportunity to meet with the IPAs for both planned and informal discussions.
https://www.eu-japan.eu/ja/events/investmentforum2026

HUB
HUB

Table of Content

Centre's News

From EU-Japan authorities

From business community

The Network News

The Network offers & requests

Calendar

for PDF version click here

is a joint venture co-financed by the European Commission and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Its aim is to foster the development of industrial cooperation between companies from both regions through training programmes for businesspeople, for EU and Japanese students and researchers, and through information services and an industrial dialogue. This quarterly newsletter is produced by the EU-based office of the EU-Japan Centre, and is primarily intended to provide EU/Japan-related news.

https://www.eu-japan.eu/

Centre's News

The EU-Japan Business Round Table will meet in Brussels in April

The 27th meeting of the EU-Japan Business Round Table (or “BRT”) will take place in Brussels on Thursday, 16 April 2026.

Vulcanus in Europe: our interns in Action

To showcase the Vulcanus in Europe programme in action, the EU-Japan Centre interviewed two interns participating in the 2025–2026 edition.

Smart Factory & Robotics Business mission - 2nd edition

European SMEs explored robotics and smart factory innovations during the EU-Japan Centre’s mission, building collaborations

The EU-Japan Business Round Table will meet in Brussels in April

The 27th meeting of the EU-Japan Business Round Table (or “BRT”) will take place in Brussels on Thursday, 16 April 2026.

Vulcanus in Europe: our interns in Action

To showcase the Vulcanus in Europe programme in action, the EU-Japan Centre interviewed two interns participating in the 2025–2026 edition.

Smart Factory & Robotics Business mission - 2nd edition

European SMEs explored robotics and smart factory innovations during the EU-Japan Centre’s mission, building collaborations

Strengthening EU–Japan Cooperation in the Space Industry

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation organised a dedicated Space Business Mission to Japan on 27-30 January 2026, bringing together 9 European SMEs and clusters active in the space sector.

TICAD 9 Partner Project: Unlocking Africa's Potential - Opportunities for EU-Japan Business Cooperation

The EU-Japan Centre successfully organised the hybrid seminar “TICAD 9 Partner Project: Unlocking Africa's Potential - Opportunities for EU-Japan Business Cooperation” highlighting business opportunities in Africa and the potential for EU-Japan joint projects in Africa.

EU-Japan Business Cooperation in Foreign Markets

The EU-Japan Centre updated its list of case studies showcasing successful EU-Japan partnerships in foreign markets such as Africa and Latin America. Through these case studies, the EU-Japan Centre aims to encourage EU and Japanese companies to consider collaboration not only in the EU and Japan but also in foreign markets.

Strengthening EU–Japan Cooperation in the Space Industry

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation organised a dedicated Space Business Mission to Japan on 27-30 January 2026, bringing together 9 European SMEs and clusters active in the space sector.

TICAD 9 Partner Project: Unlocking Africa's Potential - Opportunities for EU-Japan Business Cooperation

The EU-Japan Centre successfully organised the hybrid seminar “TICAD 9 Partner Project: Unlocking Africa's Potential - Opportunities for EU-Japan Business Cooperation” highlighting business opportunities in Africa and the potential for EU-Japan joint projects in Africa.

EU-Japan Business Cooperation in Foreign Markets

The EU-Japan Centre updated its list of case studies showcasing successful EU-Japan partnerships in foreign markets such as Africa and Latin America. Through these case studies, the EU-Japan Centre aims to encourage EU and Japanese companies to consider collaboration not only in the EU and Japan but also in foreign markets.

Case Study: IVEP, a.s.

Founded in 1966 as a research institute dedicated to the development of electrotechnical hardware in former Czechoslovakia, IVEP has spent nearly sixty years cultivating deep technical expertise and a strong engineering heritage. Today, the company retains this tradition of innovation while operating as a modern Czech SME with a global footprint.

New EU Business in Japan and Minerva Reports have been published!

Latest releases to support EU businesses’ internationalization toward Japan.

Do you know the EU-Japan Centre’s thematic newsletters?

The EU-Japan Centre publishes many different newsletters covering: policies matters, business news, EU-Japan cooperation events and so on. Find the one fitting your needs.

Case Study: IVEP, a.s.

Founded in 1966 as a research institute dedicated to the development of electrotechnical hardware in former Czechoslovakia, IVEP has spent nearly sixty years cultivating deep technical expertise and a strong engineering heritage. Today, the company retains this tradition of innovation while operating as a modern Czech SME with a global footprint.

New EU Business in Japan and Minerva Reports have been published!

Latest releases to support EU businesses’ internationalization toward Japan.

Do you know the EU-Japan Centre’s thematic newsletters?

The EU-Japan Centre publishes many different newsletters covering: policies matters, business news, EU-Japan cooperation events and so on. Find the one fitting your needs.

From EU-Japan authorities

EU-Japan negotiation concluded for Japan's association to Horizon Europe

The European Union (EU) and Japan issued the Japan-EU Joint Statement and Japan-EU Competitiveness Alliance at the Japan–EU summit meeting held last July.

EU and Japan Strengthen Cooperation on the Future of Unmanned Aircraft System

The European Union and Japan are reinforcing their cooperation in civil aviation as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and new air mobility services become an increasingly important part of the aviation landscape. Both partners share the objective of ensuring that these new activities develop safely, responsibly, and in a way that supports innovation and public confidence.

EU-Japan negotiation concluded for Japan's association to Horizon Europe

The European Union (EU) and Japan issued the Japan-EU Joint Statement and Japan-EU Competitiveness Alliance at the Japan–EU summit meeting held last July.

EU and Japan Strengthen Cooperation on the Future of Unmanned Aircraft System

The European Union and Japan are reinforcing their cooperation in civil aviation as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and new air mobility services become an increasingly important part of the aviation landscape. Both partners share the objective of ensuring that these new activities develop safely, responsibly, and in a way that supports innovation and public confidence.

Agreement Reached on Cooperation with the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization

On 4 February 2026, the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC), for which the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) serves as the secretariat, has signed an agreement to become a Companion Standardization Body (CSB) of the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC).

European Union and Japan hold 7th Cyber Dialogue in Brussels

On 28 January 2026, the European Union and Japan held their seventh Cyber Dialogue in Brussels.

Agreement Reached on Cooperation with the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization

On 4 February 2026, the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC), for which the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) serves as the secretariat, has signed an agreement to become a Companion Standardization Body (CSB) of the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC).

European Union and Japan hold 7th Cyber Dialogue in Brussels

On 28 January 2026, the European Union and Japan held their seventh Cyber Dialogue in Brussels.

From business community

Join the 2nd EU-Japan Digital Week 2026: Advancing Digital Collaboration

Organised as part of the EU-Japan Digital Partnership, this event unites stakeholders to advance digital collaboration.

TechBIZKON X: LifeTECH+ Connecting European and Japanese Startup-Ecosystems

Join and cooperate in a joint Europe-Japan startup event focused on LifeTech+.

The first deal made in Japan by FINESTJAPAN participant company Digiotouch

The EU co-funded FINESTJAPAN project is activating the business collaboration between Central Baltic area green tech SMEs and Japan.

Join the 2nd EU-Japan Digital Week 2026: Advancing Digital Collaboration

Organised as part of the EU-Japan Digital Partnership, this event unites stakeholders to advance digital collaboration.

TechBIZKON X: LifeTECH+ Connecting European and Japanese Startup-Ecosystems

Join and cooperate in a joint Europe-Japan startup event focused on LifeTech+.

The first deal made in Japan by FINESTJAPAN participant company Digiotouch

The EU co-funded FINESTJAPAN project is activating the business collaboration between Central Baltic area green tech SMEs and Japan.

One-Stop Support for Fintech Firms Establishing in Osaka, Japan

Expanding a business into Osaka, Japan, becomes smoother with the support of the Osaka Global Finance One-Stop Support Center. The Center is pleased to highlight two services designed to help global fintech firms and professionals establish their operations with confidence and efficiency.

Japan Study Visit for SIP Smart Mobility Platform

On 7-8 January 2026, the Dutch Cycling Embassy participated in a high-level study visit from Japan, as part of the SIP Smart Mobility Platform: a multi-year project that hopes to promote the use of bicycles as a core element of transportation infrastructure.

One-Stop Support for Fintech Firms Establishing in Osaka, Japan

Expanding a business into Osaka, Japan, becomes smoother with the support of the Osaka Global Finance One-Stop Support Center. The Center is pleased to highlight two services designed to help global fintech firms and professionals establish their operations with confidence and efficiency.

Japan Study Visit for SIP Smart Mobility Platform

On 7-8 January 2026, the Dutch Cycling Embassy participated in a high-level study visit from Japan, as part of the SIP Smart Mobility Platform: a multi-year project that hopes to promote the use of bicycles as a core element of transportation infrastructure.

French-Japanese Foundation events in early 2026

A Major French-Japanese Forum to Reflect on the Future of Artificial Intelligence

IURC Communities of Practice engage EU and Japan

EU and Japanese regions and cities launch innovation-focused Communities of Practice under IURC Programme.

HANAMI contribution to HPCAsia

HANAMI participated in Supercomputing Asia / HPCAsia 2026, held in Osaka on 26-29 January 2026, strengthening its role in promoting long-term collaboration between Europe and Japan in high-performance computing (HPC).

French-Japanese Foundation events in early 2026

A Major French-Japanese Forum to Reflect on the Future of Artificial Intelligence

IURC Communities of Practice engage EU and Japan

EU and Japanese regions and cities launch innovation-focused Communities of Practice under IURC Programme.

HANAMI contribution to HPCAsia

HANAMI participated in Supercomputing Asia / HPCAsia 2026, held in Osaka on 26-29 January 2026, strengthening its role in promoting long-term collaboration between Europe and Japan in high-performance computing (HPC).

Italy showcases its excellence in Foodex Japan 2026

Italy showcases food excellence at Foodex Japan 2026, featuring 190 companies, thematic promotions, wine tastings.

Greece Showcases Agri-Food Companies at Foodex Japan 2026

Greece is participating with a National Pavilion at Foodex Japan 2026, held at Tokyo Big Sight from 10 to 13 March 2026. The Pavilion is organized by Enterprise Greece, the official Trade Promotion Organization of the Hellenic Republic.

Abruzzo Region Marks 26 Years of Culinary Excellence at Foodex Japan

22 Abruzzo food companies strengthen long-standing ties with Japan.

Italy showcases its excellence in Foodex Japan 2026

Italy showcases food excellence at Foodex Japan 2026, featuring 190 companies, thematic promotions, wine tastings.

Greece Showcases Agri-Food Companies at Foodex Japan 2026

Greece is participating with a National Pavilion at Foodex Japan 2026, held at Tokyo Big Sight from 10 to 13 March 2026. The Pavilion is organized by Enterprise Greece, the official Trade Promotion Organization of the Hellenic Republic.

Abruzzo Region Marks 26 Years of Culinary Excellence at Foodex Japan

22 Abruzzo food companies strengthen long-standing ties with Japan.

Made in Italy remains highly attractive to Japanese fashion buyers

Moda Italia 2026 February Edition: the Italian Fashion exhibition in Japan closes successfully with solid results

"Italia, amore mio!" Marks Its 10th Anniversary at Roppongi Hills

Japan's largest Italian festival returns to Tokyo for its landmark tenth edition in June 2026.

Made in Italy remains highly attractive to Japanese fashion buyers

Moda Italia 2026 February Edition: the Italian Fashion exhibition in Japan closes successfully with solid results

"Italia, amore mio!" Marks Its 10th Anniversary at Roppongi Hills

Japan's largest Italian festival returns to Tokyo for its landmark tenth edition in June 2026.

The Network News

Technology & Business Cooperation Days 2026

Enterprise Europe Nework Niedersachsen is organizing the ”Technology & Business Cooperation Days” B2B event alongside the Hannover Messe trade fair.

DMEA Business Meetings 2026

The Enterprise Europe Network Berlin-Brandenburg is organizing the international partnering event “DMEA Business Meetings” taking place at the Exhibition Grounds Berlin (22 April) and online (20-24, 2026).

OPD2026 Matchmaking

Optics and Photonics Days (OPD) is an annual central event in optics and photonics in Finland, and the largest yearly photonics event in the Nordic countries.

ILA 2026 Matchmaking

Within the frame of ILA Berlin 2026, the leading international aerospace trade fair, EEN Berlin-Brandenburg will host the ILA 2026 Matchmaking, the official B2B matchmaking event that connects companies, research institutions, and suppliers from across Europe and beyond.

Technology & Business Cooperation Days 2026

Enterprise Europe Nework Niedersachsen is organizing the ”Technology & Business Cooperation Days” B2B event alongside the Hannover Messe trade fair.

DMEA Business Meetings 2026

The Enterprise Europe Network Berlin-Brandenburg is organizing the international partnering event “DMEA Business Meetings” taking place at the Exhibition Grounds Berlin (22 April) and online (20-24, 2026).

OPD2026 Matchmaking

Optics and Photonics Days (OPD) is an annual central event in optics and photonics in Finland, and the largest yearly photonics event in the Nordic countries.

ILA 2026 Matchmaking

Within the frame of ILA Berlin 2026, the leading international aerospace trade fair, EEN Berlin-Brandenburg will host the ILA 2026 Matchmaking, the official B2B matchmaking event that connects companies, research institutions, and suppliers from across Europe and beyond.

The Network offers & requests

BOJP20260112008 - e-health - agent

Japanese SME offers in house developed cloud service for medical training on simulated vital sign monitor.

Click here

BOJP20250115003 - software - agent

A Japanese company offers AI systems solutions to EU entities and is looking for local sales agents.

Click here

BOJP20260219017 - restaurant, hospitality - franchisee

Well-known Japanese fast-food chain specialized in curry is looking for franchisees in the EU.

Click here

BOJP20260112008 - e-health - agent

Japanese SME offers in house developed cloud service for medical training on simulated vital sign monitor.

Click here

BOJP20250115003 - software - agent

A Japanese company offers AI systems solutions to EU entities and is looking for local sales agents.

Click here

BOJP20260219017 - restaurant, hospitality - franchisee

Well-known Japanese fast-food chain specialized in curry is looking for franchisees in the EU.

Click here

Calendar

Date/location Details Contacts
16
Mar
2026
19
Mar
2026
Japan
Tokyo
Green Business Mission
BUSINESS MISSION
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
17
Mar
2026
Online
Policy webinar - Current status and challenges of the circular economy: Toward a growth-oriented resource-autonomous economy
WEBINAR
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
31
Mar
2026
Online
'About Japan' webinar series 269: Green Ammonia Market in Japan
WEBINAR
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
07
Oct
2026
11
Oct
2026
Japan
Tokyo
Biotech Business Mission Application starts in April - Deadline: 11 June 2026
BUSINESS MISSION
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url
15
Oct
2026
18
Oct
2026
Japan
Tokyo
Digital Business Mission Application starts in April - Deadline: 11 June 2026
BUSINESS MISSION
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Url

is a joint venture co-financed by the European Commission and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Its aim is to foster the development of industrial cooperation between companies from both regions through training programmes for businesspeople, for EU and Japanese students and researchers, and through information services and an industrial dialogue. This quarterly newsletter is produced by the EU-based office of the EU-Japan Centre, and is primarily intended to provide EU/Japan-related news.

Any EU-Japan-related news?

Feel free to contact us if you would like your EU-Japan-related news/event to be announced in our forthcoming newsletter : newsletter@eu-japan.eu

Head office in Japan

  • Shirokane-Takanawa Station bldg 4F
    1-27-6 Shirokane, Minato-ku
    Tokyo 108-0072, Japan
  • T +81 3 6408 0281
  • F +81 3 6408 0283

Office in the EU

  • Rue Marie de Bourgogne 52
    B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
  • T +32 2 282 00 40
  • F +32 2 282 00 45
  • office@eu-japan.eu

https://www.eu-japan.eu/

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the METI or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor METI, nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.