The City of Helsinki companies to join a business delegation led by the City’s Director of Economic Development, which will visit Japan from 12 to 17 October 2026.
This invitation is extended to selected Helsinki-based companies in the health and wellbeing and food and gastronomy sectors that have both an interest in and the potential to expand their business in Japan and, more broadly, across Asian markets. Participation is limited to a maximum of ten company representatives per sector. The travel costs of participating Helsinki-based companies may be partially reimbursed.
Tokyo is one of Helsinki’s most important strategic partner cities. The visit offers a unique opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in Tokyo and Japan, including companies, universities, research organizations, and other influential actors in the health, wellbeing, food, and gastronomy sectors, with introductions and facilitation provided by the City of Helsinki.
The objective of the visit is to strengthen the visibility of Helsinki and Helsinki-based companies in Japan, support international growth, and create new opportunities for collaboration. During the visit, participants will build networks and partnerships, gain insights into the Japanese market, and identify opportunities related to growth, exports, research, development and innovation (RDI), and business cooperation.
The journey will showcase two of Helsinki’s five key growth sectors: Health and Wellbeing and Food and Gastronomy. Both sectors will have dedicated programmes tailored to selected Japanese partners, as well as joint Helsinki-focused activities designed to identify synergies between the sectors.
The programme is expected to include company and organizational visits, networking events, opportunities for one-to-one B2B meetings, visits to innovation and RDI environments, and participation in events related to food, gastronomy, health, and wellbeing.
The visit will coincide with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra’s Asia tour. Company representatives participating in the delegation will be invited to attend the orchestra’s concerts in Tokyo, as well as receptions and networking events organized in connection with the performances, where local partners and stakeholders will also be present.
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
1. Helsinki Connection
- The company must be based in Helsinki or operate in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area with a strong business connection to Helsinki.
2. Innovation and Creativity
- Participating companies and (restaurant) operators must offer solutions, products, or concepts that are relevant and appealing to the Japanese market.
- This includes innovative products and services in the health and wellbeing sector, and, in the food sector, strong gastronomic expertise and creativity.
3. Readiness for Export and/or International RDI Collaboration
- Entering the Japanese market and establishing partnerships in Japan are demanding, long-term processes.
- Companies should have sufficient operational capacity in Finland and be prepared to engage in multi-year discussions and multiple visits to Japan.
Final selections will be made based on the above criteria while also taking into account the overall composition and synergies of the delegation.
INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING?
If your company is interested in joining the delegation or would like to learn more about the programme, please contact us as soon as possible:
Health and Wellbeing: Heli Parikka, City of Helsinki, heli.parikka@hel.fi
Food and Gastronomy: Mikael Malmivaara, Northlink Partners Ltd, mikael.malmivaara@northlinkpartners.com
We hope to work together in creating new opportunities for cooperation between Helsinki and Japanese organizations and companies, while strengthening Helsinki’s position as an international leader in health, wellbeing, food innovation, and food culture.
Please feel free to share this invitation within your own networks.
Kind regards,
City of Helsinki
