How You Can Meet Potential Business Partners in Japan

Are you traveling to Tokyo on business? Perhaps you want to meet with potential business partners, distributors, resellers, or customers in Japan.Tokyo has a myriad of events with many of the countries top businesses in attendance as well as many guests coming from all over the world to check out the latest and greatest Japan has to offer. This list will focus primarily on technology, startups, as well as large business events and exhibitions based in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Many of these are my personal yearly must-go events and I always return with valuable information and new business contacts. If you are involved in tech or startups and drool when somebody mentions something like drones, IoT, or virtual reality, this list will keep your sensors loaded with great data throughout 2016.Find the original post here on Linkedin – How you can meet potential business partners in Japan: Guide to Japan Tech Events, Startup Events, Business Exhibitions, and More.February 5th – Engineer Support Cross 2016
Location: Yokohama Minatodai Bridge
Link: http://2016.cross-party.com
Cross Party is considered to be a Japan “study session” for web engineers. There will be many informative sessions about IaaS, IoT, Cloud, Big Data, FinTech, AWS, Azure, and much much more.February 16th – 17th – WebRTC Conference Japan
Location: Sola City Conference Center Kanda
Link: http://webrtcconference.jp/
WebRTC is a conference focused on the WebRTC technology which integrates voice and data for real-time communication. This years conference will be focused on two keywords “2020” and “IoT”. Speakers from Google and more.February 16th – 17th – eCommerce Expo Tokyo 2016Location: Tokyo Big Sight
Link: http://www.ecommerceexpo-japan.com/en/
eCommerce Expo Tokyo is the first trade exhibition focused on eCommerce solutions in Japan. The show attracts key players and covers areas such as commerce Payments, Delivery & Logistics, Marketing, Customer Service & Customer Retention, Digital & Mobile Marketing, mCommerce, and Omni-channel strategies.February 18th – 19th – Developers Summit 2016
Location: Meguro Gajoen
Link: http://event.shoeisha.jp/devsumi/20160218/
Just as the title suggests, the Developers summit 2016 will be for developers and software engineers in Japan to learn about the latest technologies in the industry. Japan has a increasing problem with labor shortage for skilled software engineers and this years sessions is titled “Hack the Real”. Many well known sponsors such as Yahoo Japan, Microsoft, Oracle, Cybozu, Atlasssian, Autodesk, VMware,Sony, Salesforce, DeNA, DMM.com, Nifty, Fujitsu, Github, Amazon AWS, Symantec, Box, Recruit, and the list goes on and on.February 24th – 25th – Challenge Cup Regional Tokyo by Japan Innovation Network
Location: TBD
Link: http://www.1776.vc/challenge-cup/event/challenge-cup-regional-tokyo-japan/
Are you a startup with big ambitions to solve a meaningful problem for our world? From teachers to transportation or food to finance, we want to help. We’ll share pitch-coaching, industry advice, and connect you with the right people to scale in your industry, and there’s $175,000 in cash and over $1,000,000 in potential investments.February 25th – 28th – Camera & Photo Imaging Show 2016
Location: Pacifico Yokohama
Link: http://www.cpplus.jp/
With over 50 years of history, back when it was known as the Japan Camera Show, this comprehensive camera and imaging exhibition renowned the world over is the seventh event since relocating to the international city of Yokohama. More and more families and female users, as well as business users, are visiting this event every year. CP+2015 saw about 67,000 visitors and 39 World Premiere models, which were announced to the world for the first time.March 12th – JAWS-UG AWS User Group Japan
Location: Belle Salle Shinjuku Grand
Link:http://jawsdays2016.jaws-ug.jp/
The future of the cloud can be seen at this yearly AWS users event. This year’s JAWS DAYS will focus on technologies such as server-less architecture and mobile · IoT services, the AWS is now an indispensable part to the future of innovation, from the beginner to the core user.Users will be attending this event from all over Japan.March 23rd – Pioneers Asia
Location: Happo-en, Tokyo
Link: https://pioneers.io/asia/
Pioneers in partnership with Nikkei Inc, Asia’s largest business media organization, is bringing together the smartest startups, future technologies, world changing corporations, media and investors eager to support the next big thing. Pioneers Asia is the platform for the best of Europe & Asia’s startups to shine on a world stageMarch 25th – 27th – Anime Japan 2016 (Formerly Tokyo International Anime Fair)
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
Link: http://www.anime-japan.jp/en
Everything you need and more for Anime. AnimeJapan offers not only entertainment for you, but also opportunities for you to connect and engage with what’s happening right now in the world of anime.April 2016 – Fashion World Tokyo 2016
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
Link:http://www.fashion-tokyo.jp/en/
FASHION WORLD TOKYO is the largest trade show for the fashion industry in Japan, gathering all kinds of fashion wear, bags, shoes, fashion accessories, fashion jewelry, men’s fashion, textile and OEM/ODM products from around the world. With 700* exhibitors from 30* countries/regions & 25,000* visitors, the exhibition provides abundant trading opportunities and good potential for business activities. The show is the best platform to enter one of the largest markets, JapanApril 16th – 17th – Samurai Island Fes‘ 2016
Location: TBD
Link: https://www.facebook.com/SAMURAIISLANDFES/
This event is sponsored by Samurai Incubate which is a Japan based incubator with also a location in Israel called Samurai House Israel.April 20th – 22th – Techno-frontier 2016
Location: Makuhari Messe
Link: http://www.jma.or.jp/TF/en/index.html
Our visitors know that the latest technologies & products in Electronics and Mechatronics gather here. Exhibitions such as MOTORTECH JAPAN, POWER SYSTEM JAPAN, EMC JAPAN,THERMAL ENGINEERING, ENERGY HARVESTING are known here as “the one and only,” “can’t miss” exhibitions in Japan. Since 2014, frameworks of “Mechatronics Total Solution” and “Electronics Total Solution”,”Control Engineering・Design Support Solution” have been introduced to further promote cross-interaction among each topic.April 29th – 30th – NicoNico Super Conference 2016
Location: Makuhari Messe
Link: http://www.chokaigi.jp/
With 40 million registered members, 2015 saw a total of 150,000 attendees with nearly 8 million internet viewers. Everything is on display here from entertainment, music, sports, politics, science, technology, Anime, Games, as well as special events for online viewers and participation by attending guests.May 11th – 13th – Japan IT Week 2016
Tokyo Big Sight
Link: http://www.japan-it.jp/en/
Japan IT Week is truly Japan’s largest trade show where you can find the latest IT technologies/solutions. A great number of information systems managers, management executives, sales managers, system integrators and managers from IT system divisions will visit Japan IT Week to conduct business face to face with exhibitors. Japan IT Week is the absolute meeting point for both IT solution providers and IT system managers.May 13th-14th – Slush Asia
Location: Makuhari Messe
Link: http://asia.slush.org/
On May 13-14th, Slush Asia brings together people with big dreams and determination from all over the world. Originally from Finland, Slush has grown to become one of the world’s largest startup events and has made a second home in Asia. The goal of the event is to build a startup ecosystem that supports future leaders across the globe and to ignite an entrepreneurial spirit in Asian youth through talks by experienced entrepreneurs and the game changers.May 25th – 27th – Wireless Japan 2016
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
Link: http://www8.ric.co.jp/expo/wj/
This is one of the largest trade shows that focus on mobile and wireless technologies as well as the research and development of wireless communications. There are also joint events such as the Transport system expo, Wireless Technology Park , and the International Drone Expo. Keywords for 2016 are 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication, Wireless application for disaster prevention/Reduction, IoT & M2M, Positioning, Wireless Technology for robots & Drones, Regional ICT, Wireless power transfer, and ITS (Connected car, Automatic safe driving)May 24th – 25th – Microsoft Japan de:code
Location: Prince Park Tower Tokyo
Link: https://www.microsoft.com/ja-jp/events/decode/2016/default.aspx
Microsoft introducing de:code 2016 will be a place for all IT Engineers, presenting the latest tools and technologies and how they can help become more creative and productive.May 25th – 27th – International Drone Expo 2016
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
Link: http://www.dronesolution-expo.com/
This is one of the largest trade shows that focus entirely on anything robotics and drones. Event attendance is expected to reach up to 46,000 people with 300 solution providers on display.June 1st-3rd – AWS Summit Tokyo 2016
Location: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa Shinagawa
Link: http://jawsdays2016.jaws-ug.jp/
Whether you are new to the cloud or an experienced user, you will learn something new at an AWS Summit. These events, held around the world, are designed to educate new customers about the AWS platform and offer existing customers deep technical content to be more successful with AWS.June 8th – 10th – Interop Tokyo
Location: Makuhari Messe
Link: http://www.interop.jp/
Since 1994, Interop Tokyo is the event where you can experience the latest ICT technologies and solutions. Meet with companies on display for SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, Cloud, Virtualization, Security, Server, Storage, Networking, and more. The even helps to bring together engineers and business leaders from around the world involved in ICT.June 9th – 12th – Tokyo Toy Show
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
Link: http://www.toys.or.jp/toyshow/
To provide a venue for announcing new products to markets inside and outside of Japan and for conducting business negotiations for the Christmas and the year-end sales season, thereby activating distribution and expanding sales channels. “The Open to the Public Event” will be held to encourage the public to reconfirm the pleasure of toys through hands-on play.June 22nd – 24th – 3D Virtual Reality Expo IVR
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
Link: http://www.toys.or.jp/toyshow/
3D & Virtual Reality Expo (IVR) is Japan’s largest exhibition where you can experience all kinds of cutting-edge 3D technology and super high definition image technology. IVR attracts a significant number of users from manufacturing industries, amusement industries, broadcasting stations, image producing companies, content production companies, telecommunication companies, public offices, universities and research centers, who are looking to buy solutions for their businesses.July 6th-8th – GIFTEX
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
http://www.giftex.jp/en/
GIFTEX is Japan’s leading trade fair for all kinds of gift items, and consists of 7 specialised shows for general gift items, cutting-edge design products, tableware, kitchenware, fashion accessories, health & beauty products and babies & kids’ items. A great variety of major importers & wholesalers, mass-retailers and buyers across the globe converge on the show to place orders on-site and meet business partners.July 20th-22nd – Asia-Pacific Conference on Intelligent Robot Systems ACIRS
Location: TBD
http://www.acirs.org/
IEEE ACIRS 2016 provides a forum for scientific advances in the theory and practice of Intelligent Robot Systems. It is a highly selective, single-track meeting that will be soliciting submissions presenting significant, original, and previously unpublished research. IEEE ACIRS 2016 aims to be one of the leading international conferences in the Asia Pacific region, and will provide an exciting environment for researchers to present and discuss the latest technologies, algorithms, system architectures, and applications.August 6th – Maker Faire Tokyo MFT2016
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
http://makezine.jp/event
Brought to you by O’Reilly Japan, Inc., publishers of MAKE: magazine in Japan, Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists to garage tinkerers.September 6th-7th – Tech in Asia Tokyo Conference
Location: Shibuya Gardens Bellesalle
http://events.techinasia.com/
Tech in Asia ’s signature 2‐day conferences are held annually in Singapore, Bangalore, Tokyo, and Jakarta. They are among Asia’s largest conferences organized for the region’s tech ecosystem. Their conferences bring together entrepreneurs, investors, medias, corporations, developers and students to learn about the startup community.September 15th-18th – Tokyo Game Show 2016
Location: Makuhari Messe
http://expo.nikkeibp.co.jp/tgs/2016/english/
The Tokyo Game show will showcase the unreleased titles for the latest gaming platforms, as well as the updates regarding computer entertainment for all kinds of platforms in every category such as smartphone, PC and VR (Virtual Reality) device, in its biggest scale ever.September 20th-21st – Ad:tech Tokyo 2016
Location: Makuhari Messe
http://adtech-tokyo.com/en/
Discover, Learn, and Engage at a Global Digital Marketing Exhibition & Conference. Ad:tech tokyo helps to cultivate and foster highly disciplined global marketers to market Japan and its culture to world-wide audiences.October 4th-7th – CEATEC JAPAN
Location: Makuhari Messe
http://www.ceatec.com/en/
As the largest disseminator of information on IT and electronics in Asia, CEATEC JAPAN provides the world with information on their latest achievements and trends and globally promotes technical excellence in thesefields.October 26th-28th – Japan IT Week
Location: Makuhari Messe
http://www.japan-it.jp/en/
As the largest disseminator of information on IT and electronics in Asia, CEATEC apan IT Week is truly leading trade show where you can find any kinds of latest IT technologies/solutions. A great number of information systems manager, management executives, sales managers, system integrators and managers from division where use various IT systems will visit Japan IT Week to conduct business face to face with exhibitors. Japan IT Week is absolutely meeting point for both IT solution providers and IT system managers.October – Digital Content Expo 2016
Location: Miraikan Tokyo
https://www.dcexpo.jp/
Digital Content Expo (DC EXPO) is an international event focused on digital content technology, showing the future image of the digital content industry in five to 10 years from now and utilized as place to exchange the latest information by researchers, creators and companies active in the industry.
October – Tokyo Motor Show
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/en/
The Tokyo Motor Show aims to become the top technology motor show in the world, building upon more than 60 years of history since its first show in 1954.November – Mashup Awards (Awards Ceremony)
Location: TBD
http://mashupaward.jp/
Since 2006 the “Mashup Awards has been hosing a technology contest in which many developers come to propose the future of the Web and the Internet. Mashup Awards are a variety of techniques, WebAPI, hardware, and essentially “mix it up”. Definitely an event for the engineers and techies to join and meet other like minded individuals in an engineering-like atmosphere.November – TechCrunch Tokyo 2016
Date: November
http://jp.techcrunch.com/events/
Location: Hikarie Hall
TechCrunch Tokyo is an annual event where you can meet startups, entrepreneurs, investors, as well as many key individuals from around the world. The event also hosts a “Startup Battle” where 10 – 15 teams will take stage to pitch their startup to the world.December 3rd-4th –Tokyo Comiccon
Location: Makuhari Messe
http://tokyocomiccon.com/en/
Tokyo Comic Con will celebrate all that is pop culture with international celebrity appearances with stars from hit movies, TV shows and more. Be there for autograph signings, photo-ops, Q&A sessions, dealers with collectible merchandise, comic artists & creators, panels on a variety of topics, gaming, technology and sensational Japanese content.December 14th-16th – Tokyo Semicon Japan
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
http://www.semiconjapan.org/en/
First held in 1977, SEMICON Japan has grown to become one of the largest international exhibition of semiconductor equipment and materials. Bringing companies and their technologies together with customers and partners, as well as providing a setting for technical seminars and meetings, SEMICON Japan actively supports the growth of the global semiconductor industry.
Looking for funding in Japan?If you`re a startup or business in Japan looking for some extra financial oomph to help grow your business, check out my other post for the available subsidies and grants in Japan. New subsidies and grants will likely begin to pop up on the sites around March & April. #StartupJapanLooking for local experts in Japan?

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