DBT invites UK brands to expand their global reach by joining its five-day mission to Tokyo from Monday 30th June to Friday 4th July to explore the retail and ecommerce business opportunities available in Japan.

The mission will enhance your knowledge of and connections within the Japanese market, and ultimately help you build a successful brand in Japan, culminating in showcasing your products over three days with a dedicated stand at LIFESTYLE Week Tokyo, Japan's leading trade show for lifestyle products across a diverse range of categories, including Homeware & interiors, Gift, Health & Beauty, Toys, Stationery, Design and Baby & Kids.

DBT will host a dedicated UK stand for participating brands located in the exclusive Design Tokyo area of the fair - an invitation-only zone where international and Japanese buyers meet to discover high-quality, international brands. There will be Japanese translators at the trade show.

Programme of activity

In addition to exhibiting at the trade show, brands will participate in an exciting programme of activity including a retail tour of Tokyo to get to know the market and key players, as well as an education and networking session at the British Embassy Tokyo, during which you will meet market experts and start to build your network of future strategic and commercial partners.

To wrap up the mission, there is an optional visit to the UK Pavilion celebrating the UK’s openness, inclusivity and partnership across the world at Expo 2025 Osaka on Saturday 5th July.

Why Japan?

With a population of 120 million people, Japan is the fourth biggest economy in the world, enjoys a high GDP per capita, and represents a huge opportunity for the UK, which currently exports £11.9bn to Japan annually.

In recognition, the UK is now a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The benefits are reduced tariffs and simplified customs procedures, helping to make UK products more competitive and attractive to Japanese buyers.

Eligibility

DBT welcomes applications from experienced UK businesses looking to enter and expand into the Japanese market, from the following categories:

• Homeware & Interiors
• Giftware
• Health & Beauty
• Toys
• Stationery
• Baby & Kids

Ideally brands will have a strong international sales record and have the resources to enter new markets.

To be considered, brands should have a minimum turnover of £500,000.

Cost

To confirm your place, a participation fee of £1,000 will be required, payable on acceptance.

Participants must cover their own travel/accommodation/insurance and other expenses (such as shipping samples).

How to register

To register your interest, please complete the online form on this page by 11.45pm on 28th February.

Questions can be emailed to DBT at [email protected].

Need more business support?

Our Business Support Team can advise on all aspects of running a business, from exporting and sales to business plans and marketing. There are plenty of ways to get in touch - call 01494 927130, email [email protected] or book a chat via our online form.