The EU Business Hub is an EU-funded initiative designed to create new business opportunities and partnerships between EU small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups and Japanese companies in the fields of digital solutions, green and low-carbon technologies, and healthcare and medical devices. Through its business missions, it supports the internationalisation, export, and investment activities of EU companies, while contributing to the development of more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced value chains between Europe and Japan, as well as to the smooth implementation of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Each business mission is organised around major trade fairs in priority sectors, and participating companies are carefully selected based on criteria such as product and technological capabilities, resources, and business strategy.

EU Business Hub:
https://japan.eubusinesshub.eu/ja

EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA):
https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/page6e_000013.html

As one of Asia’s leading comprehensive energy exhibitions, Smart Energy Week Spring 2026 attracted more than 63,000 visitors and around 1,500 exhibitors, providing an unparalleled platform for international collaboration. The EU Green Transition Pavilion welcomed several distinguished guests, reaffirming the importance of its mission. Visitors included an Irish delegation led by Minister of State Seán Canney, H.E. Mr. Damien Cole, Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, and H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan. Their visits underscored the importance of cooperation between the EU and Japan and further reinforced the EU’s role as a trusted partner in Japan’s clean energy transition.

During the business mission, the EU Business Hub provided participating companies with tailored support aligned with their needs, including on-site coaching, professional interpretation services, and highly effective networking opportunities. Highlights included a dedicated matchmaking event at Tokyo Innovation Base and a joint networking reception at Tokyo Big Sight, co-hosted with the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, RX Japan, and JETRO. These events were designed to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from several EU Member State embassies, the Japanese government at both national and local levels, companies from across Japan, and key players from the Japanese private sector.

Tokyo Innovation Base:
https://tib.metro.tokyo.lg.jp

These events created a dynamic environment for dialogue and offered unique opportunities for collaboration, paving the way for partnerships across multiple sectors. Their impact was tangible: during the mission, more than 1,000 meetings and business discussions were held, directly generating promising business leads, potential joint projects, and new partnerships.

■Comments from Participating Companies
Selected excerpts

Exhibitor 1: Convesys (Bulgaria) – Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency

“We provide repair solutions for power converters used in solar and wind power generation, and we came to Japan in search of partners. This mission delivered major results for us, and we were truly surprised by the overwhelming interest from so many companies that wanted to work with us. It was a remarkable success for our international expansion.”

Exhibitor 2: H2sea (Netherlands) – Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Electrolysers

“This mission was key for us in exploring the Japanese market. The support from the EU Business Hub was essential and enabled us to connect with many highly attractive companies. We strongly feel that the Japanese market is extremely promising. It was a fantastic experience and one of the best events we have ever participated in.”

Exhibitor 3: SeaTerra GmbH (Germany) – Onshore Wind and Offshore Renewable Energy

“For us, this was a highly rewarding experience. Smart Energy Week was an ideal platform to showcase our technology, particularly in the geophysics field, while also learning about advanced initiatives from around the world. With the strong support of the EU Business Hub, we were able to meet companies from Japan and beyond and establish new partnerships. We are already looking forward to participating again.”

As the EU Business Hub continues to fulfil its mission, it remains committed to strengthening cooperation between EU and Japanese companies, supporting the international expansion of EU SMEs and start-ups, and advancing the clean energy transition.

■Upcoming EU Business Hub Exhibition in Japan

WHX Osaka (World Health Expo Osaka)

The EU Business Hub will participate in WHX Osaka (formerly Japan Health), one of Japan’s largest international medical and healthcare trade fairs, to be held at INTEX Osaka from 2 to 4 July 2026. Bringing together healthcare leaders, industry professionals, and innovators from across the region, this event will open new opportunities for EU companies in the healthcare and digital health sectors.

WHX Osaka 2026 official website:
https://www.worldhealthexpo.com/events/healthcare/japan/jp/home.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. It promotes the entry of EU companies into the Japanese market and collaboration with Japanese companies, particularly in the fields of digital solutions, green and low-carbon technologies, and healthcare and medical devices. Over the four-year period from 2024 to 2027, it will carry out 10 business missions, during which EU companies will receive individual coaching, financial support, and business matching opportunities, while exhibiting at EU Pavilions at major trade fairs.

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