A Year of Accelerated Change
The Japanese 2025–2026 fiscal year marked a pivotal period for European businesses in Japan, shaped by geopolitical shifts, economic security policies, and Japan’s push for a green and digital transformation. Despite these challenges, Japan’s strategic value for European companies endured thanks to its political stability, high R&D spending, and alignment with EU priorities (supply chains, AI, sustainability).
Against this backdrop, success in Japan demanded more than ever agility, local insight, and strategic partnerships.

The EU-Japan Centre: Navigating Change, Delivering Results
Over the period under review, the EU-Japan Centre scaled up its initiatives to help European businesses not just enter Japan but thrive in it. Underlining a few achievements:

• We facilitated nearly 2,600 meetings between European and Japanese companies and we were instrumental in securing 10 partnerships agreements;
• We welcomed 80 European SMEs to exhibit in key trade fairs in Japan;
• We setup the first ever EU Investment Forum in Tokyo in March 2026;
• We trained over 300 professionals on Japan’s business environment;
• 39 European and Japanese science and technology students took part as interns in Japanese and European companies via the Vulcanus programme;
• We added 13 new sectoral market studies and 9 industrial policy reports;
• We organised 10 policy events attracting over 3,500 participants.

Our Commitment: Partnering for Long-Term Success
The EU-Japan Centre remains your trusted ally in this dynamic environment. Whether you are: a corporate leader seeking to future-proof your Japan strategy, an SME entrepreneur taking your first steps in the market, or a policy maker shaping EU-Japan trade and innovation policies, we provide the expertise,  networks, and practical tools to help you succeed in Japan, today and tomorrow.

I invite you to explore this report, join our upcoming business missions, training programmes and policy seminars, by contacting our advisors via our website, LinkedIn account or e-mail to discuss how we can support your goals in Japan. Follow us for real-time updates on market trends, funding opportunities and policy changes.

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