Japan opens new doors for startups: webinar highlights Osaka's innovation ecosystem
The online session, taking place on May 13, 2026 (09:0010:30 EEST) via Microsoft Teams, will bring together international experts and ecosystem leaders to unpack business opportunities in Japan and across Asia.
Japan—currently the world’s fourth-largest economy—is positioning itself as a key expansion destination for European startups and scaleups. A new webinar, "International Growth: The Japan Market 2026 & Osaka’s Innovation Ecosystem," will provide practical insights into entering this high-potential market.
The online session, taking place on May 13, 2026 (09:00-10:30 EEST) via Microsoft Teams, will bring together international experts and ecosystem leaders to unpack business opportunities in Japan and across Asia.
A strategic moment to enter Japan
Japan is not only a global leader in advanced manufacturing but also an increasingly accessible market. Recent regulatory changes—including simplified business setup processes and reduced trade barriers under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement—have significantly lowered entry thresholds for European companies.
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At the same time, Japan has strengthened its position as a two-way innovation hub:
- Increasing inflow of international capital
- Growing outbound investments by Japanese corporations and venture capital firms
- Rising demand for international technology partnerships
Osaka emerges as a global innovation hub
A key focus of the webinar will be Osaka, one of Japan’s fastest-growing centers for startups and global business.
Speakers from the International Business Promotion Center Osaka will showcase how the city is building a globally connected innovation ecosystem through public-private collaboration. The session will highlight:
- Soft-landing programs for international companies
- Incentives and support services
- Entry pathways for foreign startups
Insights from leading experts
The webinar features speakers with direct experience in Japan’s business and innovation landscape:
- Jarkko Jussila (Ciriot Inc.) — Japan market overview and real entry cases
- Nagisa Matsuba — Osaka’s innovation ecosystem and international strategy
- Trung Pham — global ecosystem integration
- Toshihiro Doi (Osaka University Venture Capital Co., Ltd.) — venture capital landscape and collaboration models
What participants will learn
The session will offer a practical roadmap for companies considering expansion into Japan, including:
- Key market trends and demand sectors
- Business and technology partnership opportunities
- Available support for piloting and company setup
- Venture capital dynamics and university-driven innovation
- Real-world lessons from successful market entry cases
The webinar will conclude with a live Q&A session.
Event details
- Date: May 13, 2026
- Time: 09:00-10:30 (EEST)
- Format: Online (Microsoft Teams)
- Language: English