Smart Factory & Robotics Business Mission
Are you developing innovative solutions for robotics, automation, or smart factories and looking to enter the Japanese market? The Smart Factory & Robotics Business Mission offers European companies the opportunity to showcase their technologies directly in Japan, establish contacts with local partners, and participate in the Smart Factory Expo 2027. Applications can be submitted until October 22, 2026.
The Smart Factory & Robotics Business Mission will take place February 15–19, 2027, in Japan and is intended for European companies and clusters that offer innovative solutions in the fields of robotics, smart factories, industrial automation, digital manufacturing, and related technologies.
Part of the mission will be participation in the Smart Factory Expo 2027 at Tokyo Big Sight, which is being held as part of Factory Innovation Week. Selected European companies will be given their own exhibition space at the joint EU-Japan Center booth and the opportunity to showcase their technologies to potential customers and partners from Japan.
Individual B2B meetings with Japanese counterparts—tailored to participants by the EU-Japan Center—will also be a key part of the program. The mission will thus enable companies not only to raise the profile of their solutions in the Japanese market, but also to actively seek out partners for future business and innovation collaboration.
Who is this mission intended for?
The mission is intended for small and medium-sized enterprises, large companies, and clusters from the European Union and countries associated with the SME pillar of the Single Market Program.
It focuses primarily on companies offering technologies with clear industrial applications and the potential for real-world deployment, such as:
- industrial robotics and robotic systems, including collaborative robots,
- Industry 4.0 technologies, IoT/IIoT, and the integration of artificial intelligence,
- components, sensors, actuators, and control technologies for robotics,
- manufacturing automation and smart factory solutions,
- digital manufacturing technologies, predictive maintenance, digital twins, and data-driven manufacturing optimization,
- machine vision, industrial sensors, and PLC/SCADA systems,
- autonomous transportation and solutions for sustainable manufacturing.
What will participants gain?
The EU-Japan Centre will provide the following to selected participants:
- exhibition space at the shared booth at Smart Factory Expo 2027,
- Admission to the trade show and related events,
- pre-arranged one-on-one B2B meetings with Japanese partners,
- support from EU-Japan Center staff during the mission,
- professional interpreting services at a shared booth and trade show,
- translation of the company profile and poster, including printing,
- two online training sessions focused on preparing for the Japanese market before the start of the mission,
- individual consulting on intellectual property and the ability to analyze opportunities in public procurement,
- Accommodations arranged by the EU-Japan Center from February 15 to 19, 2027.
Participants are responsible for covering their own airfare and other travel expenses to and from Japan, as well as local transportation, meals, and other personal expenses.
Deadline and Registration Process
Are you interested in participating in the mission? Sign up through Enterprise Europe Network Czechia by emailing events@een.gov.cz. We’d be happy to provide you with more details on the terms of participation and the next steps.
Applications must be submitted no later than October 22, 2026.
The mission is limited to a maximum of 16 participants, so we recommend that you express your interest well in advance.
The organization of the mission is contingent upon the award and signing of an EU grant agreement for the activities of the EU-Japan Center during the 2026–2028 programming period. The program may therefore be modified or canceled if necessary.