Smart Factory & Robotics Mission Japan 2027: Business Opportunities for European SMEs

September 16, 2026

From February 15 to 19, 2027, innovative European companies will have the opportunity to explore the Japanese market for robotics, smart factories, and industrial automation as part of the Smart Factory & Robotics Business Mission in Tokyo. Organized by the EU-Japan Centre, this business mission offers selected SMEs access to one of the world’s most important innovation and sales markets in the field of production technologies.

The mission will take place as part of the Smart Factory Expo 2027, a flagship event of Factory Innovation Week in Tokyo. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their technologies and services at the EU-Japan Center’s joint booth, meet potential business partners, and explore new opportunities for collaboration and innovation in the Japanese market.

The mission is particularly aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises in the following sectors:

• Robotics and industrial robot systems
• Collaborative robotics (cobots)
• Smart Factory and Industry 4.0
• Factory automation
• IoT and IIoT solutions
• AI-powered production systems
• Digital Manufacturing
• Sensors and Image Processing
• Control and SCADA Technologies
• Autonomous Transport Systems
• Sustainable production solutions

The EU-Japan Center supports the selected companies by, among other things:

• Exhibition space at the joint booth
• Customized B2B meetings with Japanese companies
• Interpretation and translation services
• Assistance with company profiles and trade show materials
• Preparatory market and business training
• Hotel accommodations during the mission
• Advice on intellectual property and information on public tenders in Japan

Further information:

• Mission dates: February 15–19, 2027
• Location: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan
• Number of participants: Up to 16 companies
• Travel expenses to Japan and local expenses are to be covered by the participants themselves.
• Application deadline: October 22, 2026
• Application: Interested companies can find more information and apply now via the EU-Japan Centre’s event page: View the Call for Applications and Apply

Take advantage of this opportunity to gain new business partners, establish international collaborations, and tap into Japan’s emerging market for robotics and smart manufacturing.

Source: Hitoshi Koyano, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation.
Note: AI was used in part to generate this news article.

Are you interested in the Japanese market and would like to connect with others through the Production Innovation Network and the Mechatronics & Automation Cluster to explore topics such as robotics and smart factories? Feel free to contact us!