Activities of the EU-Japan Centre in a nutshell

ABOUT THE CENTRE
The Centre is a joint venture established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and the Japanese Government (METI) for promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan. It is jointly funded and managed by both sides. It has its head office in Tokyo and an office in Brussels.

BUSINESS SERVICES

BUSINESS & MATCHMAKING MISSIONS TO JAPAN: 3-5 days sectoral business support missions are organised every year in Japan for EU Clusters and SMEs in biotech, digital, nanotech, space, defence and green economy. Each mission includes exhibiting and matching opportunities at a targeted trade fair.
INTELLIGENCE ON MARKETS & OPPORTUNITIES IN JAPAN: The "EU Business in Japan" project offers information and reports on a wide range of Japanese business sectors, on regulations and Japanese business culture. Over 500 reports and webinars are already available.
BUSINESS PARTNERING IN JAPAN: The EU-Japan Centre is the contact point in Japan of the "Enterprise Europe Network" (EEN).
- Global EEN website
- EEN Japan
HOW TO BENEFIT FROM THE EU-JAPAN EPA: The "EPA Helpdesk" supports and guides EU companies in their search for relevant information on the ongoing free trade agreement between the EU and Japan.
HOSTING A JAPANESE ENGINEERING STUDENT IN INDUSTRY IN THE EU: One-year "Vulcanus" programme in Europe
- EU based host companies
- Japanese students
TEMPORARY OFFICE IN JAPAN: "Step in Japan" is a support initiative for SMEs, offered free of charge:
PROMOTING YOUR PRODUCTS IN JAPAN (organic food)
- EUfood2Japan - supports EU SMEs producers of organic food seeking to export their products to Japan
OPPORTUNITIES IN JAPANESE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT: The "Tax & Public Procurement Helpdesk" provides a wide range of services in the areas of public procurement and tax issues in Japan
INVEST IN EU HUB: The "Invest in EU Hub" is a service to promote Japanese investments in the EU. It will ‘signpost’ potential Japanese investors and other stakeholders to relevant sources of information and resources at EU-level and in EU27 member-states.
SUCCESS STORIES & CASE STUDIES: success stories & Case studies illustrating how the Japanese market is an excellent opportunity for European companies to export their products and/or services.

POLICY RELATED ACTIVITIES

EU-JAPAN BUSINESS ROUND TABLE: The "EU-Japan Business Round Table" (BRT) fosters communication between the Japanese and European industries, and submits recommendations to the Japanese and European authorities
POLICY REPORTS: The EU-Japan Centre commissions occasional "Minerva" reports on policy intelligence issues aimed at helping EU industry and authorities understand recent trends and developments in Japan in different market segments.
EU & JAPAN POLICY SEMINARS: The Centre's webinars and workshops both in Europe and Japan cover a wide range of issues.

TRAINING PROGRAMMES

INDUSTRIAL INTERNSHIPS IN JAPAN: Be an intern in a Japanese company. One-year "Vulcanus" programme in Japan.
- EU students
- Japan based host companies
CROSS CULTURAL & MARKET ACCESS WORKSHOPS: Online workshops in the EU to introduce EU companies to the basic principles of Japanese business culture and industrial sectors.Organized only in cooperation with Member States local organizations.
JAPANESE MANUFACTURING EXPERTISE:
- 5-day World Class Manufacturing training mission in Japan to improve EU companies competitiveness.

R&D, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND SPACE COOPERATION

R&D PARTNERS IN JAPAN: The Centre is the "National Contact Point" in Japan for the EU programmes "Horizon Europe" to promote research cooperation and support participation of Japanese organisations
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND IP: The "EU-Japan Innovation & Technology Cooperation Helpdesk " supports EU and Japanese companies and individuals in their steps to search for and acquire technologies

COMMUNICATION & COOPERATION

COORDINATION WITH THE EU MEMBER STATES TPOs "TEAM EUROPE": The Centre organises regular meetings with all the EU Member States Trade Promotion Organizations present in Japan for sharing information, ensuring complementarities, and developing joint actions
NEWSLETTERS: The Centre currently produces various newsletters spanning from business related info, policy matters, technology...
LIBRARY: Analytical reports; reports on events...
SOCIAL NETWORKS: Twitter: @EUJapanCentre ; @ManuelHubert (Manuel Hubert, General Manager) / LinkedIn / Youtube / Instagram
EVENTS: upcoming events
TO KEEP YOU INFORMED: To be kept informed about our support services, fill in the following form or email us
HELPDESK: Any query about Japan

EU-Japan Centre's News

Nippon Export Award 2026-27

The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BLCCJ) is organizing the 13th edition of the…

Last chance to apply - WCM training October 2026

Call for Applications: WCM October 2026 – 56th edition Applications are now open for the 56th…

Call for experts - Sectoral and cross-cultural workshops (Market Access workshops)

The EU-Japan Centre is currently calling for experts who specialize in specific industrial sectors…

Last chance to apply - Biotech mission to Japan 2026

Last call for applications: Biotech Business Mission to Japan 2026 The EU-Japan Centre is…

Last chance to apply - Digital mission to Japan 2026

Last call for applications: Digital Solutions Business Mission in Japan 2026 The EU-Japan Centre…

Call for Applications: Industry Experts for Business Training Modules (day 2)

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is seeking experienced industry specialists to serve…

Events

Japan

16/03/2026 - 19/03/2026

Green Business Mission in Japan

The next mission will take place from 23-26 March, 2027 Planned application period: September - early November 2026 Please note that this page is still under construction; content relating to…

Japan

05/10/2026 - 09/10/2026

Biotech Business Mission in Japan

Mission dates: 05 - 09 Oct 2026 Are you active in the biotech, pharma, or related healthcare sectors and seeking business, technology, or collaboration opportunities in Japan? This autumn, the EU-…