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Applications for the October 2024 mission are now closed. 

This page will be updated when a new call is launched.
Please check our other Business Missions and Training Programs for more opportunities to develop your activities in Japan.

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Join our Digital Business Mission in Japan and exhibit for free at CEATEC, Chiba (Tokyo)!

Are you running a business that specializes in digital technologies? Would you like to present your technologies and products to potential partners and clients from Japan and beyond? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you. This autumn, join us for an exclusive showcase of your business during the Digital Mission in Japan. Don't miss out on this great networking opportunity!

ABOUT THE MISSION

Mission participants will exhibit and participate in CEATEC 2024 in Makuhari Messe near Tokyo, Japan’s largest and most recognised trade fair focused on digital innovation. Many visions, concepts, and new businesses for the future society that utilize cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) will be presented. This four-day exhibition, from October 15 (Tue) to October 18 (Fri), is an excellent opportunity to engage with Japanese business partners. At a joint EU-Japan Centre booth in the exhibition area, Japanese-language posters will be provided based on the materials from mission participants, and Centre staff and professional interpreters will help to promote mission participants’ products, technologies and assure maximum exposure with visitors of the exhibition. Networking events will increase the opportunities to connect with potential business partners and clients.

Prior to the mission, a briefing webinar will be organised to prepare for the Japanese market, and a seminar will be organised with partners to prepare partnering opportunities.

SCHEDULE

OUTLINE

• Explore partnering opportunities with Japanese companies
• Meet and network with potential business partners in Japan
• Create new business opportunities and partnerships with Japanese companies
• Gain valuable insights and knowledge about the Japanese market to become more competitive on a global scale as an SME
• Prepare the ground for practical cluster cooperation with Japanese counterparts as a cluster

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

This call for applications targets individuals working for SMEs (*) (small and medium enterprises, start-ups) or Clusters (**) from the European Union, or a country associated to the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar (***), specialized in digital technologies (i.e. technologies encompassing digital devices, systems, and resources that help create, store, and process data), such as 5G, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Edge Computing and Augmented Reality. Specifically, we strongly encourage applications from companies that foster digital innovation, promote the green transition, and establish trust in digital technologies (cybersecurity and privacy).

(*) Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are companies that meet the standard criteria set by the European Commission to be classified as SMEs.

(**) Clusters are those who are registered in the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (https://clustercollaboration.eu/). Registration on that platform is free of charge.

(***) Please check the status of your country here.

ELIGIBILITY

The applicant must:

• Work for a legal entity located in the European Union or a country associated with the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar 
• Be supported by their employer through a signed letter (in case they do not belong to senior management)
• Be able to participate in the entire programme
• Have a good command of English (recommended level B2 or higher)
• Have proven experience in the industry

SELECTION

The Centre will evaluate applicants based on the following primary selection criteria:

• Company's strategy regarding Japan
• Innovative aspects of the product/technology/service offered by the company
• Relevance for the trade fair

The mission will welcome 12 companies.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

The EU-Japan Centre will cover the expenses for one representative per selected company/cluster for:

• Individual display stand in the joint EU-Japan Centre booth in the CEATEC 2024 exhibition
• Support by EU-Japan Centre staff and professional interpreters at the joint EU-Japan Centre booth
• Translation of poster and company profile, as well as printing of the poster for the exhibition
• Participation in pitch and networking sessions
• Access to online partnering tool

COSTS

Mission participants are responsible for covering:

• Flight and other travel expenses to Tokyo and the trade fair venue
• Accommodation in Tokyo
• Other living expenses in Japan, including local transportation and meals

DEPOSIT

Participants who have been selected for the mission are required to pay a deposit of €1000 to secure their spot in the mission. After a brief post-event report is submitted, the deposit will be refunded. Before applying, please ensure you are committed, as cancelling after confirming your participation will result in a forfeiture of the deposit.

THE DIGITAL SECTOR IN JAPAN

Looking for information about the digital sector in Japan?

Visit the dedicated pages in our EU Business in Japan related content:

Free membership registration.