EU Business Hub @Smart Energy Week Spring 2025, 7 April 2025
[EU Business Hub Event Report] EU Green Transition Pavilion Showcased at SMART ENERGY WEEK / GX Management Week
■Contributing to Business Opportunities for Europe’s Leading Companies in the Green and Low-Carbon Technology Sector in Cooperation with the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
The EU Business Hub is an EU-funded initiative aimed at creating business opportunities between leading European SMEs and start-ups and Japanese companies. At SMART ENERGY WEEK / GREEN TRANSFORMATION WEEK, held from Wednesday, 19 February to Friday, 21 February 2025, the programme exhibited jointly with the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation under the banner of the “EU Green Transition Pavilion.” This marked the second business mission to Japan under the EU Business Hub programme, through which visiting European companies can benefit from individual coaching, matching events, and other programme support during their stay in Japan.
H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan, visited the EU Green Transition Pavilion and met with company representatives exhibiting their products and services.
■Comment from H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan
“I am very pleased to see so many European companies here. This is a symbol of European innovation in the energy sector and in addressing climate-related challenges. We have excellent solutions for the future, and I was very impressed to see how many people are interested in partnering with these European companies. I look forward to the successful partnerships that this business mission will create.
A great deal of investment is being made in Europe, and many scientists and engineers are creating companies that can make a real impact on energy and climate change. I am very happy to see them here in Tokyo. There is no doubt that there are many beneficial exchanges, partnerships, and business opportunities between Japan and Europe.”
In addition, on Tuesday, 18 February, the EU-Japan Green Transition - Business Matching event was held at SAKURA DEEPTECH SHIBUYA by the EU Business Hub programme and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation. The event provided opportunities for European and Japanese companies to meet, introduce their products and services, build networks, and explore potential partnerships through networking sessions and one-to-one business meetings. The event was supported by JETRO / J-Bridge and SAKURA DEEPTECH SHIBUYA.
■Comments from Participating Companies
UP Catalyst (Estonia)
An Estonian company producing carbon nanomaterials and battery-grade graphite from CO₂
“I was given a very meaningful opportunity to participate in this business mission. Many major Japanese companies showed interest in our technology. While the EV market is currently facing some challenges globally, it is still wonderful to see this level of interest. Japan has a very strong market for sustainable technologies, and I believe there are many opportunities for expansion. Reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting a circular economy are important themes for Japan as well, and many globally renowned companies are based here. Given this background, I believe the Japanese market is well worth pursuing.”
HSL Technologies (France)
A French company developing innovative hydrogen transportation and storage solutions
“Japan is one of our key markets, particularly in terms of providing solutions and for our future production. Japan plans to import hydrogen, and we are confident that by working with Japanese companies, this can be achieved within the next few years. We are truly glad that we could rely on the EU Business Hub. Japan is a completely different market from the European countries we are used to doing business with. In particular, understanding Japanese culture is essential. The EU Business Hub also helped us better understand Japanese culture.”
X1 wind (Spain)
A Spanish company developing advanced floating offshore wind technology
“The EU Business Hub business mission has been extremely beneficial and gave us the opportunity to connect with Japanese customers. As you know, Japan is an important market for the energy industry, with significant energy demand but limited fossil fuel resources. Being able to come here, meet potential Japanese customers, and have a place provided for that purpose has been truly valuable for us. With the support of the Embassy of Spain and the EU Business Hub, we were able to arrange many meetings and meet clients from major utility companies. We hope to build long-term relationships from here.”
■Next Business Mission
The EU Business Hub will hold its third business mission at JAPAN IT WEEK 2025, which will take place from Wednesday, 23 April to Friday, 25 April 2025. At this event, Europe’s leading companies in the fields of digital, software, cybersecurity, and AI will exhibit at the EU Pavilion and engage in business matching activities.
■Cooperation with the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation was established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and the Government of Japan (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, formerly MITI) to promote all forms of industrial, trade, and investment cooperation between Japan and the EU. The EU Green Transition Pavilion at SMART ENERGY WEEK / GX WEEK and the EU-Japan Green Transition - Business Matching event at SAKURA DEEPTECH SHIBUYA were organised with the cooperation of the Centre’s Green Business Mission.
In addition, the dedicated online platform “EU-Japan Green Transition,” provided by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, was jointly operated and supported by JETRO / J-Bridge. To facilitate efficient business matching between Japanese and European participants, the platform also offered pre-event webinars and advance online and in-person meetings.
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation:
https://www.eu-japan.eu/ja
Business Mission in Japan:
https://www.eu-japan.eu/business-missions-japan
Contact:
https://www.eu-japan.eu/ja/contact-us
About the EU Business Hub
The EU Business Hub is a business matching initiative led by the Delegation of the European Union to Japan, designed to enhance the presence of European companies in Japan, particularly in the fields of digital solutions and green and low-carbon technologies, and to support their entry into the Japanese market and collaboration with Japanese companies. Over the four-year period from 2024 to 2027, the EU Business Hub will conduct 10 business missions in Japan. During these missions, EU companies will have the opportunity to benefit from individual coaching, financial support, and business matching, while exhibiting at the EU Pavilion at major trade fairs in the fields of digital solutions and green and low-carbon technologies.
Delegation of the European Union to Japan:
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/japan
EU Business Hub Contact:
logistics_japan@eubusinesshub.eu
Newsletter registration:
https://japan.eubusinesshub.eu/ja/zuixinnoqingbaoworushou