The High-Level Mission led by Commissioner Christophe Hansen to Japan in June 2025 saw participation from 98 EU companies and organisations from 22 Member States representing various agri-food sectors. Over half of the delegates were first-time participants in such an event, with 47% representing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), underlining the diversity of the delegation.
- agricultural trade | bilateral agreement | common agricultural policy
- Sunday 8 June 2025, 09:00 - Friday 13 June 2025, 17:30 (CEST)
- Japan
- External event
Media
High-Level Mission to Japan, 2025High-Level Mission to Japan, 2025 
High-Level Mission to JapanWelcome speech by Diego Canga Fango, Deputy Director-General, European Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development 
Welcome speech by Christophe Hansen, European CommissionerHigh-Level Mission to Japan 
High-Level Mission to JapanB2B meeting 
High-Level Mission to JapanB2B meeting 
High-Level Mission to JapanGroup photo 
High-Level Mission to JapanProduct wall 
High-Level Mission to JapanInterviews 
High-Level Mission to JapanInterviews 
High-Level Mission to JapanFood truck outside the pavilion 
High-Level Mission to JapanB2B meeting 
High-Level Mission to JapanShinanoya 
High-Level Mission to JapanShinanoya 
High-Level Mission to JapanDelegates in the pavilion 
High-Level Mission to JapanB2B meeting 
High-Level Mission to JapanProduct wall 
High-Level Mission to JapanHigh-Level Mission to Japan 
High-Level Mission to JapanYoichi Watanabe 
High-Level Mission to JapanTote bag 
High-Level Mission to JapanChristophe Hansen, European Commissioner with business delegates at a working meeting 
High-Level Mission to JapanWorking meeting, group photograph 
High-Level Mission to JapanWine market party 
High-Level Mission to JapanHigh-Level Mission to Japan 
High-Level Mission to JapanTemma Market 
High-Level Mission to JapanTemma Market 
High-Level Mission to JapanChristophe Hansen, European Commissioner with business delegates
Files
Practical information
- When
- Sunday 8 June 2025, 09:00 - Friday 13 June 2025, 17:30 (CEST)
- Where
- Various, including World Expo in OsakaJapan
- Languages
- English
- Social media links
Report
The High-Level Mission featured a broad range of activities aimed at fostering collaboration and trade opportunities between the EU and Japan. The programme included business matchmaking meetings with Japanese businesses, a business forum with seminars on market trends and the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, and networking opportunities. These facilitated creating new connections between EU and Japanese stakeholders in the agri-food sector. The programme also made possible around 26 specialised visits to various stakeholders in the Japanese agri-food landscape, ranging from retailers and importers to a logistic centre, a meat distribution company and a cheese factory.
The Commissioner and business delegates also visited the EU and MS pavilions at the World EXPO in Osaka during the thematic week on the “Necessities of Life: Food, Clothing and Shelter” dedicated to food and agriculture and participated at the high-level policy event at Ministerial level to discuss sustainable and innovative agriculture.
Japan is the EU’s 5th largest export destination for agri-food products, experiencing fast annual growth rates for EU exports. A dynamic, high-income country of 126 million people, it represents solid opportunities for a number of agri-food sectors, including organic products and products with geographical indications (GIs). The EU’s Economic Partnership Agreement in Japan has been in force since 2019.
The European Union has been involved in promoting EU agricultural food and beverage products in Japan by co-financing 37 promotion programmes proposed by organisations from different Member States as well as targeting the country, with Perfect Match, the European Commission’s promotion campaign, an annual presence at Foodex, the Market Entry Handbook and previous business delegation visits.