The Busan Creative Economy Innovation Center (CEO Yongwoo Kim) announced on the 29th that it is recruiting companies to participate in the 'Plug in: Tokyo #9' program, targeting startups hoping to enter the Japanese market.
This program will operate a joint pavilion of the Creative Economy Innovation Center at the 'Startup JAPAN EXPO 2026' held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, Japan from April 15th to 17th, and support participating startups to check the local Japanese market response through booth exhibitions.
Recruitment for participating startups will be held from January 28 to February 10, and further details can be found on the Busan Creative Economy Innovation Center Global OI Team website.
"Startup JAPAN EXPO 2026" is Japan's largest startup exhibition and is considered a key platform for entering the Japanese market. Last year's event attracted 11,268 visitors and 403 companies. Major Japanese corporations, public institutions, investment firms, and other industry stakeholders attend in large numbers, providing opportunities for business collaboration.
Selected startups will receive full support for exhibition booth rental and registration fees, as well as the production of exhibition equipment and promotional materials necessary for booth operation. They will also have the opportunity to meet with Japanese companies and investors through participation in the "FUNDeal" business meeting program.
Before participating in the exhibition, we plan to share know-how on operating Japanese exhibitions and hold networking events to support participating companies in improving their exhibition operation capabilities and performance.
Eligible applicants are startups located nationwide, established within the past seven years, that wish to expand into Japan. At least two participants must be able to participate in local events in Japan, and one of them must be fluent in Japanese communication and pitching. Furthermore, applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements: possess a Japanese business reference, have attracted domestic or international investment (Pre-A or higher), and have or are preparing to have a Japanese subsidiary.
“Japan is a market with a high acceptance rate for new technologies,” said Kim Jin-seok, manager of the Busan Creative Economy Innovation Center. “Based on our many years of experience supporting expansion into Japan, we plan to support participating startups so that they can achieve tangible results.”
Meanwhile, the Busan Creative Economy Innovation Center has been supporting domestic startups' entry into Japan through the 'Startup JAPAN EXPO' in cooperation with Japan's largest SaaS company, Sansan, since 2024.
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