From 30 January to 3 February 2023, the EU-Japan Centre organized the 6th edition of its Nanotech mission in Japan. 9 EU entrepreneurs from 5 different countries (France, Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden and Netherlands) had the opportunity to showcase their products and innovative seeds during nano tech 2023 – the 22nd International Nanotechnology Exhibition & Conference, Japan’s largest and most recognised trade fair focused on nanotechnology, nano material and nano fabrication. Participants used the EU-Japan Centre booth to discuss with expo visitors and attend B2B meetings with their potential Japanese counterparts. 

Interview of Mr. Arnaud Viot, Sales Director, Digital Surf, France  

Q: Why was your company interested in participating in the Nanotech Expo 2023 with the EU-Japan Centre particularly, especially considering that it is your second time participating?
Arnaud: For Digital Surf, it is important to strengthen its presence in Japan. Participation in this type of fair is an excellent vector of communication.

Q: How would you describe your partnership with the EU-Japan Centre so far?
Arnaud: Despite the interest in the event, Digital Surf was not able to assume alone the burden for the logistics and funding necessary for our participation in nanotech 2023. The Centre offered us unique conditions that enabled us to participate in this exhibition. Thank you very much for taking care of us!

Q: What is your company’s future objective regarding Japan?
Arnaud: Japan is a very advanced nation from a cultural and technological point of view. Our software "Mountains" provides a powerful solution for microscopic analysis. There are many microscope manufacturers in Japan (Hitachi, JEOL, NIKON, Mitutoyo...) that could potentially integrate our software. It is very important to consider all these manufacturers as VIPs and stay very close to them.  For the end users of our software, it is also very important to ensure a presence. This proximity is even more important in Japan.

Q: What advice would you give to an EU SME interested in attending the next Nanotech Expo in Japan? 
Arnaud: More so than anywhere else, in Japan you have to be patient, precise, and on time!
It is particularly important to respect all commitments and not to commit to what cannot be achieved. Once engaged, commercial relations are unsurprising and reliable over time. It is not always easy to establish a foothold in Japan, the corporate culture is often very different from what we know in Europe. However, once a project germinates in Japan, it is just waiting to grow.  
 

Published: June 2023