Smart Factory & Robotics Mission Selected Participants Details

The Smart Factory & Robotics Business Mission, organised by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, is centered around the 3-day Factory Innovation Week taking place 21 Jan - 23 Jan 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan.
 

1. Schedule

1.1. Pre-Departure Briefing (9 December 2025, 9:15 AM CET)

A Pre-Departure Briefing was held on 9 December 2025 to prepare all participants for the upcoming mission. 

The recording of the briefing as well as the slides used via this dropbox link.
The briefing covered an overview of the Robotics and Smart Manufacturing market in Japan, Japanese Business Culture, as well as an overview of the Business Mission. 

1.2. The mission in Japan (January 19 to 23 2026):

2. Cost

The EU-Japan Centre covers all expenses related to the pre-event, exhibition booth fees and interpretation services.

Flight costs, accommodation, and miscellaneous expenses related to your stay, such as lunch, dinner, and local transportation, are not covered by the Centre.
 

3. Travel Planning

3.1. Border Entry Regulations for Japan

Japan has lifted all covid-related entry restrictions, and this means that visiting Japan without a visa is possible again*. In case you have questions concerning the border entry regulations, please contact the Embassy of Japan in your country.

*In case of visa-exempted nationalities. Please check the visa agreements of your nationality with your local Japanese Embassy.

3.2. Flight

The mission takes place in Tokyo. Participants are advised to arrive at either Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND).
Travel time from both airports to Tokyo Big Sight is similar.
Due to the long distance, taxis are not recommended from the airport; please use public transport instead.
Please note that flight times to Japan may be longer than before, due to airspace restrictions related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

3.3. Hotel

The venue for the Smart Factory Expo will be Tokyo Big Sight (South Halls). For easy access to the venue, please refer here to a map of hotels in the area. 

(Source: Tokyo Big Sight Inc.)
 

4. Pre-Event

On Tuesday, 20 January 2026, participants are invited to the Industrial Tour in Kitakyushu, organised in collaboration with the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry.

4.1. Travel to Kitakyushu City

We will travel to Kitakyushu City on 19 January. We will meet-up with all participants at Haneda Airport between 12:00 - 12:30, and the flight will depart at 13:30.

Meet-up location: Haneda Airport, South Wing 2F, in front of the JAL desks
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fqw8JDNoDY5aPwEn

4.2. Company Visits in Kitakyushu City

Schedule for company visits: 

09:00: Meeting at Kokura Station North Exit

09:30-11:30 - Visit to YASKAWA Electric Corporation

Lunch break

13:30-15:00 - Visit to DENSO Corporation

16:30∼ Flight to Haneda, Tokyo
 

The company visit will provide an opportunity for all mission participants to visit and meet with Japanese innovative manufacturing companies in Kitakyushu.

After the company visits, we will be dropped off at Kitakyushu airport and jointly travel back to Tokyo. The expected flight departure time is 16:30.

5. Information for your space in the Centre’s joint booth at the Smart Factory Expo exhibition

5.1. Company space

The EU-Japan Centre has reserved a 54 sqm shared booth at the Smart Factory Expo exhibition, where all participating companies will have their own space consisting of:

1)    A company name board

2)    A Poster in A1 size

3)    A small display space to place brochures, business cards etc.

4)    A simple (non-locked) sliding door cabinet to place personal items.

In addition, there will be a small joint space with a few tables and chairs, a water server with cold and hot water, tea, and instant coffee. Centre staff at the joint booth can take care of inquiries about your company should you be absent from the stand. Three interpreters will be in the EU-Japan Centre booth. You can request their services in case you face serious language barriers at the venue.

5.2. Company slogan / 40 character description

This slogan or short description will be listed on your company/cluster name board which is going to be placed above your poster.

5.3. Company introduction

Your company introduction may be longer, between 100-200 words. This introduction will be used to introduce you as a participant of the Business Mission to the EEN Japan network and exhibition visitors.

5.4. Poster

Your poster should highlight your company’s brand, products and services or research findings.
All posters shall be vertically oriented and printed in A1 size.
The EU-Japan Centre will cover the cost of translation from English to Japanese, up to 200 words.

Option 1 – You use professional design software (e.g. Illustrator):

• Send us the English poster image (e.g. PDF) and a text file with the English text.
• We will translate the text and return the Japanese version for insertion into your design.
• After finalising the layout, please provide us with a final PDF in A1 format for printing in Japan.

Option 2 – You use PowerPoint:

• Prepare your poster in PowerPoint (A1 size: W594 mm × H841 mm).
• You can download a template here or set the size under Design → Slide Size → Custom Slide Size.
• The Centre will insert the Japanese translation and send you a PDF for final approval before printing.

In both cases, please send editable files (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) so that translators can work directly in them.
We will always request your confirmation before printing.

5.5. Company logo data (high quality data for large prints)

High-resolution logos will be displayed on the fascia board of the EU-Japan Centre joint booth.
Disclaimer: Please note that the booth design and participants' display space are not confirmed yet and may be subject to change.
 

6. Practical Information 

Electricity and Power Plugs

Japan uses 100 volts, with two frequencies:

• 50 Hz in Eastern Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Tohoku, Hokkaido)
• 60 Hz in Western Japan (Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kyushu)

Plugs are US-type, two flat pins. Please bring a suitable adapter.
The frequency difference only affects certain sensitive devices.

How to move around

Japan’s public transport is efficient and well connected.
You can search train routes using:
•    Japan Transit Planner (Jorudan)
•    Google Maps

Please note:
•    Many ticket machines accept cash only.
•    Credit/debit card payments for local transport are still uncommon.