From April to October 2025, for the duration of the UK participation at Osaka Expo 2025, the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) ran a programme of business focussed activity, with colleagues from British Embassy Tokyo and Consulate-General Osaka.
The Business Programme achieved great success in strengthening commercial ties and unlocking new opportunities for collaboration. What began as a cross-government initiative, delivered 18 high-impact business events and 18 UK-Japan Trade Missions across 6 months, and fostered meaningful UK-Japan collaboration across key sectors: Space, Creative Industries, Life Sciences, Digital & Technologies, Clean Energy, Tourism, Food & Drink, Education, and Retail.
The Programme’s events alone attracted an exclusive attendance of 900+ business delegates participating in high-quality engagements and created a strong pipeline of commercial opportunities worth millions through engagements between 200+ UK companies and 18 trade missions.
This remarkable attendance by the Business Programme forms a subset of the greater success of the UK Pavilion, which attracted over 1.24 million visitors, held 70+ events, 18 trade missions, and a communications reach into the millions. This includes more than 1,800 guests, comprising 371 VIPs and representatives from around 900 international businesses and business leaders across 40+ countries. The Business Programme advanced the UK Pavilion’s mission of strengthening UK-Japan ties, showcasing British innovation and diversity, and laying the foundations for long-term growth and collaboration.
Of the 18 UK-Japan Trade Missions emerging out of the Business Programme: DBT led 7 Missions in Food and Drink, Digital and Ecommerce, Education, Video Gaming, Music, Retail, Creative Tech. The Scottish Government led 3 Missions in Consumer Goods, Health and Energy, and the Welsh Government led 2 Missions in Consumer Goods and Health. 6 Missions were led by external partners, Visit Britain, ADS Space delegation, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Institute of Directors, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, and East Midlands Combined Authority.
The UK presence at Expo also received sponsorship from a set of British companies who also held showcasing events at the Pavilion. They included Astra Zeneca, Aston Martin, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Johnnie Walker, Liberty and Robert Walters. Further showcasing the strengths of the UK on the global stage.
Several key milestones in UK-Japan collaboration were achieved due to the Business Programme.
- The first UK-Japan Space Roundtable was hosted in the Pavilion.
- As part of the Food and Drink Trade Mission’s Festival of Flavours, a DJ set from Alex James (Blur bassist and now notable cheese, wine and cider producer) brought lively music to the village green.
- Minister for Skills, Baroness Smith, contributed to meaningful discussions between UK-Japan education stakeholders on Education Dialogue Day.
- The Women’s Economic Empowerment Forum, organised in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UK Federation of Small Business, delivered on UK-Japan (CEPA) trade agreement commitments, promoted UK leadership in gender equality, and positioned the UK as a destination for women-led businesses.
The Business Programme created a strong platform for trade growth between the UK and Japan. By delivering sector-specific missions and facilitating direct engagement between over 200 UK companies and Japanese counterparts, it generated a pipeline of commercial opportunities worth millions. These outcomes provide a clear basis for sustained trade activity, enabling UK businesses to convert Expo connections into long-term partnerships and market access throughout 2026 and beyond.
