Japan is set to take centre stage at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), bringing a powerful mix of technology, pharmaceuticals and automotive industry heavyweights to northern Greece, as both countries seek to deepen economic ties and unlock new investment opportunities. The event will run from 5 to 13 September at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre (HELEXPO).
Major Japanese corporations, including Toyota and Mitsubishi, are expected to participate, signalling strong interest in Thessaloniki as a strategic gateway to Europe. With its port handling around 16 million tonnes of cargo annually, the city is increasingly seen as a logistics and innovation hub for companies looking to expand into regional markets.
"The participation of Japan is not limited to a ceremonial framework, but constitutes a fully measurable strategic tool of extroversion," said TIF-Helexpo CEO Andreas Mavromatis. He described a structured programme of B2B meetings and "modern matchmaking practices" designed to support lead generation.
The Japanese delegation will be hosted in Pavilion 13, alongside a new thematic section dedicated to the economy, with a targeted promotional campaign planned in cooperation with the Japanese embassy to maximise impact ahead of the fair.
TIF-Helexpo president Christos Tsentemeidis described Japan as "one of the largest economies in the world" and emphasised the long-standing relationship between the two countries, rooted in "mutual respect, cultural exchange and economic cooperation". He went on to note that Japan first participated in the fair as early as 1929, in a historic connection now being revived with a stronger business focus.
Tourism is also emerging as a key area of collaboration, with around 80,000 Japanese visitors travelling to Greece each year. "We seek to bring our societies closer," said Japan's consul in Thessaloniki, Haris Alexopoulos. He added that the city "could serve as Japan’s commercial gateway to Europe, thanks to its strategic geographic position, with Japanese companies showing growing interest in investing in innovation and logistics."
Despite a relatively limited Japanese corporate presence in Greece today, around 40 companies are already active, with bilateral trade anchored in shipping, according to Takaaki Nemoto, deputy head of the Japanese embassy in Athens. Japanese exports to Greece are dominated by vehicles and machinery, while Greek exports to Japan focus mainly on tobacco and agricultural products.
Companies set to participate in this year's event include Fujifilm, Hitachi, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Sysmex and Toyota, alongside Greek partners such as Saracakis Group, Syngelidis Group, Petropoulos Group and Evthymiades Group.
