■European companies specializing in AI, cybersecurity, IoT, fintech, and green tech showcase cutting-edge solutions

The EU Business Hub is an EU-funded initiative aimed at creating business opportunities between leading European SMEs and start-ups and Japanese companies. The EU Business Hub business missions are designed to actively connect European SMEs and start-ups with Japanese companies. By engaging with European innovators offering cutting-edge solutions tailored to the needs of the Japanese market, Japanese companies can identify potential partners and gain a competitive advantage ahead of broader market adoption.

The third business mission took place at Japan IT Week 2025, one of Japan’s largest exhibitions in the digital and IT sector, held from Wednesday, April 23 to Friday, April 25, 2025, where participating companies exhibited as part of the EU Pavilion. A total of 41 European SMEs and start-ups took part, representing nine sectors, including AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, data and analytics, digital marketing and advertising, digital technologies, next-generation computing, robotics, and software.

During their stay in Japan, participating European companies were able to benefit from the programme through individual coaching, a networking reception, a study tour, customized services, and matching events. This business mission created opportunities for European and Japanese companies to meet face to face in support of building strategic business relationships as a first step toward future commercial success and synergies. Several Japanese and European companies have already begun collaboration through various means, including memoranda of understanding and continued discussions.

During the business mission, Mitigant (Germany, cybersecurity) signed an MoU with Future Spirits Co., Ltd. (Japan). Mitigant selected Japan as a target market based on factors such as Japan’s position as one of the world’s top five economies, strong demand for corporate cybersecurity, high awareness of information security among companies, and the market’s rapid growth. Future Spirits plans to support Mitigant in providing advanced cloud security services in Japan and to further strengthen their collaboration framework.

Study Tour

As part of this visit, participants had the opportunity to visit Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB), one of Japan’s leading incubators
( https://tib.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/),
where they learned about local government business policies, the tech ecosystem, available support for companies, and opportunities for collaboration.

Networking Reception

A reception for exchange between the Delegation of the European Union to Japan and Japanese companies participating in the event was held at the Europe House Auditorium of the Delegation of the European Union to Japan.

EU Pavilion

At the EU Pavilion, participating European companies were supported through customized services, including translation and interpretation, booth decoration, and assistance with sample import arrangements.

■During this business mission, H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan, visited the EU 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>

“The EU Business Hub serves to connect cutting-edge technologies and innovative companies from Europe, particularly in the IT sector, with partners in Japan. Opportunities to meet and interact are essential in helping these companies become known and in building trust.

I sincerely hope that these excellent products will find opportunities in the Japanese market, and that collaboration will develop through deep partnerships and investment with Japanese companies, ultimately leading to business success here in Japan.”

■Comments from participating companies

・Mitigant (Germany) and Future Spirits (Japan) signed an MoU at the Japan IT Week exhibition venue

“One of the greatest achievements of this event was forming a new partnership with an IT company based in Kyoto. We are very excited to develop the Japanese market together from here. The Japanese market is highly sophisticated and advanced in cloud adoption, and we see great potential in it.

Japan is a culturally fascinating country, but understanding its customs was not easy. We were very grateful to receive coaching tailored to the Japanese market during this event. Overall, it was an excellent experience.”

・Strong interest from Japanese companies in the augmented reality urban planning tool offered by The Carbon Games (Portugal)

“We see significant business opportunities in Japan, especially because decision-making can be complex due to land-use constraints and the large number of stakeholders involved. Our tool can help engage those diverse stakeholders. At this event, we felt we received more thorough support than at any other event we have participated in so far—from advance briefings and matching to various tools and approaches for reaching potential clients. In a country like Japan, where business culture differs from that of Europe and the United States, this level of preparation is extremely important. It was an event where we could truly feel that everyone involved wanted us to succeed.”

■Next exhibition in Japan under the EU Business Hub

The EU Business Hub will hold its fourth business mission at Smart Energy Week Autumn 2025
( https://www.wsew.jp/autumn/ja-jp.html),
which will take place from Wednesday, September 17 to Friday, September 19, 2025. This will mark the programme’s second participation in Smart Energy Week, where Europe’s leading companies in the green and low-carbon technology sector will exhibit under the EU Green Transition Pavilion and engage in matching activities.

For reference: Report from participation in Smart Energy Week 2024
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000005.000153605.html

■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 business 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