The Liguria region has recently embarked on an institutional mission to Japan in preparation for Expo Osaka 2025. From 26 to 28 November, a regional delegation travelled to Tokyo and Nagoya to explore potential collaborations between Liguria’s high-tech ecosystem and various Japanese entities, including startup incubators, research centres, industrial associations, and universities. The mission, which included representatives from Filse and the RAISE innovation ecosystem (comprising IIT, CNR, and the University of Genoa), was organised by the Liguria Region through Liguria International, in collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
According to Regional Councillor for Economic Development, Alessio Piana, “The initiative aids in promoting technological innovation and Ligurian expertise on an international scale.” During the Expo, Osaka will become a “global showcase” where participants will present the best ideas and innovative projects in the field of infrastructure. The mission provided an opportunity to “share innovative perspectives and foster exchanges of knowledge” with Japanese institutions.
In Tokyo, the delegation visited the Italian Embassy and the Shibuya Start-up Support, a hub dedicated to startups and entrepreneurial growth. In Nagoya, the mission featured meetings with the Central Japan Economic Federation and visits to the Nagoya Innovator’s Garage and the Nagoya University incubator, focusing on collaboration between academia and industry for innovative projects. The final day in Tokyo included discussions with the Japan Finance Corporation on financial support for SMEs and with the AIRC Consortium, a leader in artificial intelligence research. The meetings concluded at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute, where new innovation opportunities for businesses were explored.