EU-Japan Green Transition Business Matching Platform launched to link European and Japanese low-carbon innovators
- ›The EU-Japan Green Transition Business Matching Platform launched on 3 January 2024 to connect companies, startups and research organisations from Europe and Japan around low carbon technologies.
- ›The platform runs online meeting sessions in February 2024 and onsite matchmaking during Smart Energy Week and Sustainability Management Week in Tokyo from 28 February to 1 March 2024.
- ›Access is restricted to representatives of enterprises, research and educational organisations based in Japan, the EU or Single Market Programme countries and registrations are screened by organisers.
- ›Target sectors include electrolysers, batteries, solar, grids, wind, biogas, CCS, heat pumps, low-carbon construction, lifecycle management and recycling.
- ›EIC beneficiaries are signposted as a priority audience but should prepare for practical business checks, IP risks and the need for concrete follow up to convert meetings into deals.
EU-Japan Green Transition Business Matching Platform
The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation launched a Green Transition Business Matching Platform on 3 January 2024. The initiative is designed to create commercial and research partnerships between stakeholders in Japan and Europe who are working on technologies and services that contribute to a low carbon society. The Centre coordinates mobilisation of Japanese corporations and public partners to populate the platform and has framed the service as a route for European Innovation Council beneficiaries and other European actors to raise visibility in Japan.
What the platform offers and when
The platform combines online and onsite meeting formats, complemented by pitching sessions and webinars. Registered participants can browse profiles, search by keywords and categories, send direct messages, and request either online meetings or onsite meetings during the Tokyo events. Organisers will review profiles and accept participants only if they are eligible and appropriate for the event.
| Date | Format | Notes |
| 15-16 February 2024 | Online meeting sessions | First tranche of remote introductions and pitching |
| 19-22 February 2024 | Online meeting sessions | Additional remote sessions and webinars |
| 28 February - 1 March 2024 | Onsite meetings in Tokyo | Matchmaking held during Smart Energy Week and Sustainability Management Week at Tokyo exhibition venues |
Target sectors and technology themes
The platform focuses on a broad set of decarbonisation technologies and value chain services. The sectors align with current industrial priorities where EU and Japanese companies have complementary strengths and commercial interests.
| Target sector | Short description |
| Electrolysers and fuel cells | Hydrogen production, fuel cell power and systems for transport and stationary use |
| Battery and storage technologies | Battery chemistries, manufacturing, second life and grid scale storage |
| Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal | PV modules, system components, BIPV and thermal collectors |
| Grid technologies | Smart grid solutions, VPP, aggregation, energy management and grid integration |
| Onshore wind and offshore renewables | Turbines, floating offshore systems and O and M technology |
| Sustainable biogas and biomethane | Anaerobic digestion, upgrading and feedstock solutions |
| Carbon capture and storage (CCS) | Capture systems, CO2 transport, storage and utilization options |
| Heat pumps and geothermal energy | Decarbonised heating technologies and ground source systems |
| Low-carbon construction and green materials | Alternative building materials, low embodied carbon processes and modular construction |
| Product lifecycle management and recycling | PLM software, circular design and recycling process technologies |
Who should join and what to prepare
The platform is pitched at companies, start ups and research organisations seeking partnerships for market entry, pilots, technology licensing or joint R and D. EIC beneficiaries are explicitly invited to use the platform to promote green transition solutions. Participation is not an automatic guarantee of commercial outcomes. Successful engagement depends on preparation, clear asks and follow up.
Onsite context in Tokyo and related events
Onsite matchmaking is scheduled during Smart Energy Week and Sustainability Management Week in Tokyo. Those exhibitions attract large industry delegations and conference programmes that can help extend contacts. Attending the larger conference programme can increase visibility but comes with costs and time pressure. For companies using grant or investor time to travel, it is important to plan a compact agenda of pre arranged meetings to maximise value.
Organisers, contacts and registration
The platform is organised by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation in partnership with Japanese stakeholders and corporate partners. Registrants are invited to register on the platform. Organisers will review submissions and accept participants based on eligibility and fit for the event.
| Item | Information |
| Organiser | EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation |
| Contacts | Ms Masae Ozawa, masae.ozawa@eu-japan.or.jp and Mr Daniel Gralki, daniel.gralki@eu-japan.or.jp |
| Registration | Register in the platform. Organisers will screen and approve profiles. |
| Geographic eligibility | Organisations based in Japan, the EU or Single Market Programme countries |
Implications for EU innovation and EU-Japan cooperation
The platform reflects an ongoing pivot in EU external engagement toward practical industrial cooperation with strategic partners such as Japan. Japan and the EU have complementary strengths across many green technologies. For European innovators, Japan offers large corporate buyers, manufacturing partners and specific regulatory pathways. For Japanese firms, Europe is a large market with ambitious decarbonisation targets.
That said, converting introductions into pilots and contracts requires attention to differences in commercial culture, procurement rules and standards. European startups that are used to public procurement or grant models should prepare for corporate contracting norms and longer commercial cycles in Japan. Intellectual property management, regulatory compliance and localization of products are frequent stumbling blocks.
Practical advice and next steps
If you plan to participate sign up early, prepare concise and non confidential presentation materials and use the organiser contacts if you need clarifications. The platform can be useful to open doors but it does not replace targeted market entry planning and careful commercial follow up.