- Contributing to Business Creation for Advanced European Companies in the Renewable Energy Sector -

The EU Business Hub is an EU-funded initiative designed to create business opportunities between European SMEs and start-ups in the green and digital sectors and Japanese companies. Through its business missions, the EU Business Hub actively supports the internationalisation, export, and investment activities of European companies, while also helping to build more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced value chains between Europe and Japan, in line with the smooth implementation of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Each business mission is organized around a specific trade event or exhibition related to priority sectors, and participating companies are carefully selected based on criteria such as products and technologies, resources and capabilities, and business strategy.

■Building on Success, European Start-ups Shape a Sustainable Future — European Companies Exhibited at SMART ENERGY WEEK Autumn 2025

SMART ENERGY WEEK, held in February 2025, took place immediately after the Japanese government approved the Seventh Strategic Energy Plan, which sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 73% by fiscal year 2040. At the EU Pavilion, which made its first appearance at this timing, a total of 1,100 business meetings were conducted, resulting in 44 European SMEs and start-ups establishing new business relationships with Japanese companies.

Building on this success, the EU Business Hub exhibited once again at SMART ENERGY WEEK Autumn 2025, held at Makuhari Messe from Wednesday, 17 September to Friday, 19 September 2025. Through matchmaking, networking events, and initiatives aimed at deepening understanding of the Japanese market, the programme contributed to creating further business opportunities for participating European companies. This time, 46 European start-ups active in areas such as hydrogen, smart grids, and renewable energy took part.

During the programme, the participating European start-ups received a range of support services, including individual coaching, networking receptions, study tours, customized support, and business meetings. They were also given opportunities to meet Japanese companies face-to-face, taking important first steps toward future business success and synergy.

This business mission served as a valuable platform for Japanese and European companies to leverage their respective strengths, build strategic partnerships, and foster innovation. More than 1,300 business meetings were held during the mission, generating tangible outcomes toward cross-border collaboration.

These fruitful exchanges not only laid the groundwork for future cooperation, but also further strengthened the shared commitment to innovation, growth, and the development of lasting relationships that create mutual value.

■The EU Green Transition Pavilion Showcasing Progress Between Europe and Japan — Innovation and Co-creation Evolving at Smart Energy Week Autumn 2025

At the EU Green Transition Pavilion within SMART ENERGY WEEK Autumn 2025, European companies presented innovations in the field of sustainability.

■Comments from Participating Companies
Selected excerpts

Exhibitor 1: Primo Marine (Netherlands) — Subsea Cable Engineering

“This mission provided a valuable opportunity to gain new business prospects and insights into the Japanese market. Through direct dialogue with Japanese companies and stakeholders, mutual understanding deepened significantly. We feel that we have taken a major step forward toward future collaboration and market development.”

Exhibitor 2: Terrensis SAS (France) — Natural Hydrogen

“The natural hydrogen sector we are working in holds new potential for contributing to a decarbonized society. Through discussions with Japanese companies, we strongly felt growing interest in technological cooperation and joint research and development. We are convinced that co-creation between Japan and the EU will continue to advance.”

Exhibitor 3: DTBird & DTBat (Spain) — Wind Power and Biodiversity Protection

“For our company, which works to reconcile wind power generation with biodiversity conservation, this was a meaningful opportunity to deepen our understanding of the Japanese market and regulatory environment. Through these exchanges, we have developed strong expectations for the potential of Japan-EU cooperation in the environmental field.”

■Comment from H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan

H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan, emphasized that the main objective of this initiative is “to connect innovative European solutions with Japanese partners,” underscoring the significance of the pavilion. He described the integration of the EU and Japanese markets as “the greatest achievement,” explaining that it also contributes to strengthening supply chain resilience under challenging conditions. He further noted that “it is always meaningful to be involved in projects that deepen our ties and create shared value,” highlighting the importance of Japan-EU cooperation also from the perspective of economic security.

SMART ENERGY WEEK Autumn 2025 brought together approximately 42,000 visitors and around 500 exhibitors. In this second business mission, the strengthening of EU-Japan relations became even more evident as both sides worked toward shared goals for a sustainable future. It was particularly striking to see how the two regions complement one another by drawing on their respective strengths, reaffirming a shared commitment to innovation, sustainable economic growth, and mutual success.

■Upcoming EU Business Hub Exhibitions in Japan

SEMICON Japan 2025

The EU Business Hub plans to participate for the second time in SEMICON Japan, which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight from Wednesday, 17 December to Friday, 19 December 2025. During its first participation, around 50 European semiconductor-related companies successfully established business relationships with Japanese companies.

SEMICON Japan 2025 official website:
https://www.semiconjapan.org/jp/about

For highlights from the previous edition (SEMICON Japan 2024), please visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WySjrqZnvfA

SMART ENERGY WEEK Spring 2026

The EU Business Hub is also pleased to announce its participation in SMART ENERGY WEEK Spring 2026. This exhibition reflects the project’s commitment to promoting innovation in the energy sector and further deepening fruitful partnerships between Japan and the EU, while building on the achievements and opportunities generated through previous participations.

SMART ENERGY WEEK Spring 2026 official website:
https://www.wsew.jp/spring/ja-jp.html

For highlights from the previous edition (SMART ENERGY WEEK Spring 2025), please visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO0LDPfhLyA

A dedicated matching platform for creating new business opportunities with European companies will be launched soon. Through tailored business matching, access to advanced European solutions, and the arrangement of pre-scheduled meetings, the platform will support more productive connections. We hope this valuable opportunity will help companies build new partnerships and take their business to the next level.

■About the EU Business Hub

The EU Business Hub is a business matching initiative led by the Delegation of the European Union to Japan. It aims to enhance the presence of European companies in Japan, particularly in the fields of digital solutions and green and low-carbon technologies, and to promote their market entry into Japan 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 /
support@eubusinesshub.eu /
coaching_japan@eubusinesshub.eu

Newsletter registration:
https://japan.eubusinesshub.eu/ja/zuixinnoqingbaoworushou