A repeat-survey on the impact of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) among 950 procurement offices of Japanese government organizations, conducted by the Japan Tax & Public Procurement (JTPP) Helpdesk, has found that 95% of Japan’s public procurers have no direct experience in doing business with EU-suppliers. Thus far the Partnership has yet to show its potential to provide new opportunities for EU enterprises, as well as to offer a broader choice of suppliers for Japanese government entities. 

The language barrier in a paperwork-heavy business activity remains the main barrier for government procurers when dealing with suppliers from outside of Japan, as well as issues concerning suppliers who have no presence in Japan. These make cross-border participation in the public procurement market a challenging matter, in particular for European SMEs. 

An inquiry about how Japanese procurers prepare their tenders found that in order get their solutions and products into the sights of Japanese government organizations, EU enterprises will have to engage in active marketing, as their Japanese peers do. 
Existing specifications, based upon what is available in the domestic market, are the primary source of information for public procurers, when preparing tenders. A more active engagement with the international market by Japanese government procurers remains an uncommon phenomenon, with a tendency to rely on domestic suppliers instead.

Riding the wave of Digital Transformation (DX) of government processes, a small but growing number of Japanese government entities is working to provide more procurement information via online platforms. Although they are still a minority, it is gradually becoming easier to remotely obtain information about business opportunities with the Japanese government and participate in procurement procedures from overseas. 

The report summarizing the findings of this survey is available upon request. Please send an email to jtpphelpdesk@eu-japan.eu
 

EU-Japan Centre's News

More
The EU Business Hub @ Semicon Japan 2025 Business Mission, taking place from 15 - 19 December 2025…
The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is recruiting a Project Coordinator in Brussels,…
The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is recruiting a Project Coordinator in Brussels,…
The Minerva Policy Reports deliver comprehensive research on the dynamic political, economic, and…
The EU Japan Centre is releasing a weekly press review covering Japan's economic and policy matters…

Events

More
14/07/2025
As AI storms industry and captures headlines, the EU lit the first torch with Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 on July 12, 2024, prompting other jurisdictions to set their own rules. On May 28, 2025, Japan…
Japan
06/10/2025 - 10/10/2025
Mission dates: 06 - 10 Oct 2025 Applications are now closed for this year session.  Are you running a business that operates in the Biotech and Pharma sector? Would you like to present your …
We use a selection of our own and third-party cookies on the pages of this website. If you choose "ACCEPT ALL", you consent to the use of all cookies. You can accept and reject individual cookie types.
Related
Subscribe to
our newsletters

The EU-Japan Centre currently produces 5 newsletters :

  • EU-Japan NEWS - our flagship newsletter covering the Centre's support services, information about EU (or Member States) - Japan cooperation
  • Japanese Industry and Policy News
  • “About Japan” e-News (Only available for EU companies / EU organisations)
  • Japan Tax and Public Procurement Weekly Tender Digest (Only available for EU companies / EU organisations)
  • Tech Transfer Helpdesk Newsletter
Subscribe