EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

What EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation does

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is a Tokyo-headquartered non-profit General Incorporated Foundation established in 1987 as a joint venture between the European Commission (DG GROW) and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). It promotes industrial, trade, and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan, operating a regional office in Brussels and serving primarily EU small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to enter, expand in, or partner with the Japanese market, alongside Japanese companies exploring EU opportunities. The Centre does not develop proprietary technology; instead it functions as a service and matchmaking platform built on a governmental mandate, distributing 13+ distinct products and services organized into five categories: training programmes (Vulcanus in Japan/Europe internships, World Class Manufacturing, Business Training Modules, Market Access Workshops), business services (sector-specific business missions across biotech, defence, digital, green, nanotech, smart factory/robotics, and space, plus the EU Business in Japan information portal, EPA Helpdesk, International Joint Projects Helpdesk, Invest in EU Hub, Step in Japan landing pad, and EU2JP Food portal), helpdesks (Generic, Tax/Public Procurement, EPA, IP, and Horizon Europe National Contact Point), policy initiatives (EU-Japan Business Round Table, MINERVA Policy Seminars), and publications (six newsletters plus a library of 500+ reports and webinars). The business model is government funding-driven: the Centre is jointly funded by the European Commission and METI with a disclosed FY2025 annual budget of €4.85 million, generates no meaningful commercial revenue, and delivers nearly all services free of charge to eligible EU SMEs. The go-to-market is event-driven, anchored around sector-specific business missions aligned with major Japanese trade fairs (BioJapan, CEATEC, nano tech, ISEX, DSEI Japan), supplemented by six newsletters, webinars, and a referral channel through the Enterprise Europe Network's 600+ partner organizations across 60+ countries.Governance is via a Board of Governors and Trustees composed of representatives from EU and Japanese institutions including JETRO, the EU Delegation to Japan, Waseda University, Merck, and Randstad, with leadership comprising a President (Nikolaus Boltze) and two Managing Directors representing EU and Japanese sides (Manuel Hubert and Yasuo Tanabe).

Name

EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

Legal name

EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

Website

https://eu-japan.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is a non-profit foundation established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and Japan's METI that delivers free training, business missions, and helpdesk services to EU SMEs seeking to enter or expand in the Japanese market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bilateral Trade Promotion Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International Economic & Trade Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Bilateral trade promotion
• Industrial cooperation services
• EU-Japan market entry
• SME internationalization support
• Business training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The EU-Japan Centre is jointly funded by the European Commission (DG GROW) and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Annual Budget for FY2025 is 4.85 million euros. The Centre provides most services free of charge to eligible EU companies (training, helpdesks, business missions with trade show fees covered).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is a bilateral governmental organization jointly established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and Japan's METI. It delivers training programmes (Vulcanus internships, World Class Manufacturing, Market Access Workshops), business services (Business Missions, Enterprise Europe Network support, EU-Japan Regional Cooperation, EPA Helpdesk, Step in Japan logistical support, Invest in EU Hub, EU Business in Japan portal, International Joint Projects Helpdesk, EU2JP Food Portal), helpdesks (Generic, Tax/Public Procurement, Intellectual Property, Horizon Europe NCP), and policy initiatives (Business Round Table, Policy Seminars) for EU companies seeking to enter or expand in the Japanese market.

Product overview

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation operates as a General Incorporated Foundation established in 1987 by the European Commission and Japanese METI. The Centre offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services organised into five main categories: (1) Training programmes including Vulcanus in Japan and Europe internships, Business Training Modules, Market Access Workshops, and the World Class Manufacturing programme; (2) Business services encompassing sector-specific missions to Japan, Enterprise Europe Network support, EU-Japan Regional Cooperation, EPA Helpdesk, EU Business in Japan information portal, International Joint Projects, Invest in EU Hub, Step in Japan logistical support, EU2JP Food portal, and Success Stories; (3) Helpdesk services including Generic, Tax & Public Procurement, EPA, Intellectual Property, and Horizon Europe National Contact Point; (4) Policy initiatives such as the EU-Japan Business Round Table and Policy Seminars; and (5) Publications including six newsletter types and a library of over 500 reports and videos. All services target EU companies seeking to trade with, invest in, or cooperate with Japanese partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vulcanus in Japan
• Vulcanus in Europe
• World Class Manufacturing (WCM) Programme
• Business Training Modules
• Market Access Workshops
• Business Missions in Japan
• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Support
• EU-Japan Regional and Cluster Cooperation (EJRC)
• EPA Helpdesk
• EU Business in Japan (EUBIJ)
• International Joint Projects Helpdesk
• Invest in EU Hub
• Step in Japan (Logistical Support)
• EU2JP Food Portal
• Generic Helpdesk
• Tax and Public Procurement Helpdesk
• Intellectual Property Helpdesk
• Horizon Europe National Contact Point
• EU-Japan Business Round Table
• Policy Seminars (MINERVA)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 WCM participants from EU Member States trained in Japanese manufacturing excellence since 1992
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2011The EU-Japan Centre has been the EEN representative in Japan since 2011. Through this partnership, EU SMEs can access free support for internationalization toward Japan by connecting with local EEN partner organizations (chambers of commerce, regional development agencies, clusters) who then liaise with the Centre.
• European Commission (DG GROW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987Joint founder along with METI. Provides co-funding for Centre operations (Annual Budget 4.85 million euros FY2025). The Centre operates under strong expectations to contribute to EU-Japan economic relationship development, particularly from the EU-Japan EPA implementation.
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) - JapancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987Joint founder along with European Commission. Provides co-funding and governmental mandate for bilateral industrial cooperation. The Centre aims to contribute to development of EU-Japan economic relationship from EPA and SPA implementation.
• EU Member States Trade Promotion OrganisationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorks closely with trade promotion organisations under 'Team Europe' approach to support EU and Japanese companies in foreign markets. Partners include chambers of commerce, regional development agencies, and clusters across EU Member States.
• National Contact Point for Horizon Europe in JapanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Centre manages the Horizon Europe National Contact Point in Japan, replying to inquiries from European researchers seeking Japanese partners or funding options within Horizon Europe calls.
• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerJETRO Governor Norihiko Ishiguro sits on the EU-Japan Centre's Board of Governors. JETRO and Centre collaborate on EU-Japan business cooperation activities.
• Delegation of the European Union to JapanmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmbassador Jean-Eric Paquet serves on the Centre's Board of Governors. Collaborates on events such as TICAD and financing opportunities for EU-Japan business cooperation.
• Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BLCCJ)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBLCCJ organizes the Nippon Export Award; Centre supports and promotes this initiative for EU companies succeeding in Japan.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• British Council: UK's international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, with a comparable long-standing bilateral cooperation mandate and government sponsorship model. While the British Council focuses on culture and education, it operates a structurally similar non-profit bilateral cooperation framework.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization): Japan's governmental trade and investment promotion agency, sitting on the EU-Japan Centre's Board of Governors. JETRO performs the mirror-image role for Japanese companies seeking to enter foreign markets, making it the most structurally comparable peer.
• Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI): Germany's economic development agency promoting German companies abroad and foreign investment into Germany. Its mandate to facilitate cross-border trade and investment, including dedicated country-specific market entry services, mirrors the EU-Japan Centre's model.
• Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO): Dutch governmental agency that supports Dutch SMEs in internationalization through programmes, grants, partner search, and market intelligence. Operates a similar SME internationalization model that the EU-Japan Centre applies to EU firms entering Japan.
• Business France: France's national agency supporting international business development for French companies abroad. It operates a similar mix of market-entry consulting, partner search, training programmes, and country-specific desks that parallels the EU-Japan Centre's SME-focused service portfolio.
• AUSTRADE (Australian Trade and Investment Commission): Australia's national trade and investment promotion agency, providing bilateral market entry support, partner search, and capability development. Comparable to the EU-Japan Centre in its governmental mandate and SME-focused service delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• International Trade Centre (ITC): UN-joint agency providing trade-related technical assistance to SMEs in developing countries. Operates a parallel SME internationalization mandate with a global rather than EU-Japan focus, and is a conceptual peer for trade promotion methodology and impact measurement.
• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency): Japan's governmental development cooperation agency, with a much larger mandate and budget. The EU-Japan Centre works closely with JICA via EIB trilateral financing arrangements, and both share the Japan-side governmental cooperation mandate, though JICA's scope is far broader.

Others

• EUROCHAMBRES: Association of European chambers of commerce representing national chambers at the EU level. Works in adjacent space on EU business internationalization, with overlapping stakeholders in EU member state trade promotion but a broader non-Japan-specific focus.

Regional players

• Franco-Japanese Chamber of Commerce (CCIFJ): National bilateral chamber of commerce providing French companies with Japan market entry support, networking, and trade promotion. Operates a similar SME-focused model to the EU-Japan Centre but is restricted to French companies rather than all EU members.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EUJAPANCENTRE
• Facebookfacebook.com/VulcanusInJapan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eu-japan-centre-for-industrial-cooperation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation