The EU Business Hub @ Semicon Japan 2026 Business Mission, taking place from 7 - 11 December 2026, is your gateway to the forefront of innovation in Japan.

Deadline for application: 11 September 2026

Submit Expression of Interest

What is this about?

The EU Business Hub @ Semicon Japan 2026 will select up to 50 European SMEs and start-ups to visit Japan to kick-start their internationalisation journey in the semiconductor sector. Selected companies will exhibit at Semicon Japan, a major international exhibition focused on the semiconductor industry, held annually in Tokyo and attracting more than 103 000 visitors. The EU Business Hub will provide the EU Pavilion at the exhibition — a valuable platform for companies to showcase their products and services, offer demonstrations, engage in networking, and customer acquisition.

This business mission will take place from 7 to 11 December 2026 and will provide an excellent opportunity for networking and connecting with potential Japanese business partners and industry leaders. Many Japanese corporations send representatives and exhibit at Semicon Japan. At the EU Pavilion, a dedicated team of business coaching staff and professional interpreters will be available to promote European companies’ products and technologies and assure maximum exposure to exhibition visitors. A networking event during the mission will enhance opportunities to connect with potential business partners and clients.

This business mission presents a unique opportunity for European SMEs and start-ups to establish valuable contacts, exhibit their solutions at the EU Pavilion, build long-lasting relationships with Japanese enterprises and explore new business avenues together.

Learn more about the previous edition of this business mission EU Business Hub @ Semicon Japan 2025 and hear what participants have to say about their experience.

Target audience

European SMEs and start-ups involved in the semiconductor sector — across all parts of the value chain, including design, products and services, front-end and back-end equipment (e.g., connectors, pumps, cables, sensors, etc.), manufacturing and inspection equipment, metal processing, cutting and plating, and surface treatment.

Japanese Business Operators, notably buyers, distributors and R&D partners in public and private sectors, and Japanese investors.

Overview of the business mission

Funded by the European Union, the business mission to Tokyo will last five days in total, including three days of exhibition and targeted business matchmaking at Semicon Japan 2026, networking opportunities and a study tour.

The business mission agenda is as follows:

• Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo, welcome and Networking Reception.
• Day 2: Briefing session with sectoral experts and a study tour.
• Day 3: Exhibition, networking, and B2B meetings @ Semicon Japan.
• Day 4: Exhibition, networking, B2B meetings @ Semicon Japan, and Happy Hour.
• Day 5: Exhibition, networking, B2B meetings @ Semicon Japan, and debriefing session.

In addition to the programme’s activities, the participants will have the opportunity to attend additional events directly organised by Semicon Japan 2026 trade fair organisers.

Brochure of the business mission

Services and benefits for EU participants

• Business matchmaking, including pre-arranged in-person meetings with carefully selected Japanese companies.
• Market intelligence, including sectoral briefings that provide valuable insights into the Japanese market and potential opportunities.
• Cultural and linguistic support, such as briefings on doing business in Japan, as well as interpretation and translation assistance.
• Financial support of up to €1000 to benefit from a menu of additional customised services co-funded by the project (e.g., translation, printing, legal advice).
• Hotel accommodation (Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba) for four nights – up to €1000 total per company (4 nights, 1 room) are covered by the programme.
• Exhibition fee coverage at Semicon Japan.

Key market insights
Participating in the EU Business Hub @ Semicon Japan 2026 offers a unique opportunity for European SMEs and start-ups because: 

• Japan is Asia’s 3rd largest and the world’s 5th largest economy.
• Japan’s semiconductor market is projected to reach €50.5 billion in 2026, driven by global trends like AI, IoT, EVs, and 5G .
• Japan has formulated the Green Growth Strategy to promote Green Transformation (GX). Within this strategy, the direction for the semiconductor industry includes supporting the research and development of next-generation power semiconductors and green data centres to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
• By 2030, Japan targets over 15 trillion yen (approx. €92 billion) in total domestic semiconductor sales to ensure a stable supply.
• The Japanese government is investing up to JPY 10 trillion (approx. €61 billion) to bolster domestic semiconductor and AI capabilities through 2030, supporting R&D, manufacturing, and talent development.
• In 2024 and 2025, Japan has intensified collaboration in the semiconductors sector, both within in the region and with the EU, fostering dialogue to strengthen cooperation. 

Discover the business mission and apply by 11 September 2026

Eligibility criteria for the candidates: https://eubusinesshub.eu/en/eligibility-criteria

Contact point: Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, phone: +359 2 8117 489, +359 2 8117 494, e-mail: interdpt@bcci.bg.