Japan Seeks Local Hosts for Global Startup EXPO
Overview
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has opened applications from local governments to host Global Startup EXPO continuously from 2027 through 2029, aiming to make it a world-leading deep tech startup event. All prefectures, cities, wards, towns, and villages in Japan may apply; applications from groups of local governments are encouraged. Selected hosts will form an organizing committee with regional stakeholders and plan and run the event using local strengths. Proposals should detail the 2027 event and include a three-year policy and other plans covering 2028 and 2029. The application deadline is November 27, 2026.
Key points
- The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is seeking host organizations to develop Global Startup EXPO into a continuing, world-leading deep tech startup event.
- The application period covers three years, from 2027 through 2029.
- The deadline for submitting application documents is November 27, 2026.
- Prefectures, cities, wards, towns, and villages throughout Japan are eligible to apply, and joint applications by multiple local governments are also accepted.
Overview
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry considers the globalization of the startup ecosystem through overseas expansion and the attraction of funding and talent from abroad to be important. It has held Global Startup EXPO as an international event where stakeholders from Japan and abroad gather and take action through co-creation, collaboration, investment, and business partnerships.
At the September 2025 event held at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site, 145 companies exhibited and 9,560 people attended from 21 countries and regions. At the October 2026 event, a total of approximately 12,400 people attended from 85 countries and regions; it featured 236 booth exhibitors, 54 sessions, and 83 side events.
Impact
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry says the event will strengthen the international competitiveness of regional startup ecosystems and promote the creation and growth of deep tech startups in Japan and the globalization of the ecosystem.
Details
Selected hosts will form an organizing committee with local and surrounding-area governments, business and industry groups, companies, universities, research institutions, and other stakeholders, then plan and run a national event that draws on regional characteristics and strengths. Applications should specify the 2027 event and propose a three-year policy, development direction, and role for each year, including 2028 and 2029.
Key requirements include a track record of hosting international startup events; meeting the scale and international profile set out in the application guidelines; programming that attracts startups and investors from Japan and abroad and leads to concrete deal formation; securing an event budget and sponsorship; and having an operating base that does not rely solely on public funding. Before applying, applicants should review and coordinate their proposals with the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry with jurisdiction over their area.
The main review criteria are deep tech content, global reach, and broad geographic coverage and regional impact. Interviews with applicants may be held if necessary.
Applications open and questions begin being accepted on October 28, 2026. Questions are accepted through November 19, and application documents are due November 27. Selection results are expected to be communicated around mid-December. Documents should be emailed to the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry with jurisdiction over the applicant's location. For joint applications, submit them to the bureau with jurisdiction over the lead applicant's location.