Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan

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Event details

As a key commitment out of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to Japan in March 2026, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM) to Japan this June. 

The trade mission is an important step in the Government of Canada's commitment to diversify and strengthen trade relationships with reliable partners and advances shared goals under the Canada-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Roadmap. It will support Canadian exporters, businesses and innovators by helping to position themselves in the Japanese market, showcase their capabilities and competitiveness and pursue long-term, diversified trade and investment opportunities. 

It will also further support the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was jointly announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in March 2026. This milestone reinforces nearly a decade of free trade between Canada and Japan under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and reflects both countries’ commitment to deepening political and economic ties. 

Dates: Tuesday, June 23 to Friday, June 26, 2026. 

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Priority sectors: The trade mission program will be specifically designed for organizations operating in the following sectors: 

  • defence and security, including aerospace and advanced manufacturing
  • information and communication technologies, including artificial intelligence
  • clean technologies and energy transition 
  • agriculture and agri-food including fish and seafood 
  • forestry and forest products 

Details on the subsectors targeted by this trade mission, which offer high-potential opportunities in the Japanese market, are provided under Opportunities for Canadian companies in Japan.

Format  In-market

Application deadline:  April 21, 2026, 23:59 PT. 

Submit your application

Program (in development)

The trade mission will include programming such as:

  • networking opportunities with Minister Sidhu and Japanese business leaders
  • on-site business briefings by our trade commissioners, senior officials and key local industry experts
  • sector-specific site visits
  • pre-arranged business-to-business (B2B) meetings (for qualifying companies)

Eligibility for B2B meetings

Pre-arranged B2B meetings will only be offered to organizations operating in the priority sectors (and specified sub-sectors) of this mission. Priority will be given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Associations and chambers of commerce are not eligible for B2B meetings. Some large companies may be offered B2B meetings on a case-by-case basis.

Who is eligible to participate?

Eligibility criteria for Canadian companies

To be considered for the trade mission, Canadian SMEs must clearly demonstrate how they meet the following criteria:

  • operate in one of the trade mission’s priority sectors: 
    • defence and security, including aerospace and advanced manufacturing
    • information and communication technologies, including artificial intelligence
    • clean technologies and energy transition 
    • agriculture and agri-food including fish and seafood 
    • forestry and forest products 
  • be export-ready with demonstrated potential for success in the Japanese market:
    • have a commercialized product or service
    • target Japan as part of their international business plan
    • allocate significant resources (human, material, time and financial) toward internationalization
    • have conducted research on the target market and opportunities
    • demonstrate that their product or service will generate economic benefits for Canada, such as job creation or increased production in Canada
  • meet the eligibility criteria to qualify as a client of the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)

Eligibility for defence and security companies

The defence and security focus of this trade mission is intended for Canadian companies that are already well established in the sector. Organizations will need to demonstrate a clear alignment with Japan’s defence industry structure and regulatory environment.

Eligible companies should be able to demonstrate:

  • experience operating in international markets 
  • a proven track record in the defence and security industry
  • that their technology is already deployed

For more details on eligibility, consult the Defence and security, including aerospace and advanced manufacturing section.

These requirements help to ensure that participating companies are well positioned to navigate Japan’s procurement processes and will be able to pursue long-term commercial opportunities in the Japanese market.

Eligibility criteria for other organizations and large businesses

To be considered for this trade mission, large businesses, trade associations, chambers of commerce must clearly demonstrate that they:

  • are strategically aligned with the trade mission's priority sectors
  • can contribute to fostering partnerships, knowledge exchange or economic development
  • can bring demonstrated value to the trade mission through expertise, resources or collaboration opportunities

Although the mission is tailored to the five priority sectors, large organizations with significant resources and a validated track-record in Japan operating in other sectors may be accepted on the delegation. 

Each application will undergo an extensive assessment process to confirm its suitability with the trade mission objectives and the market. 

Firms providing services to Canadian organizations are considered out of scope for this trade mission, as their activities do not align with the mission's objectives and programming. This includes firms offering visa or immigration services, or those facilitating business establishment in Canada.

Why Japan?

The TCTM to Japan offers Canadian businesses a high-impact gateway into the world’s fourth-largest economy at a pivotal moment in bilateral relations. Under the newly launched Canada-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, our two nations have committed to a roadmap of enhanced cooperation in strategic sectors, including:

  • AI
  • critical minerals
  • energy
  • defence 

Canada and Japan share a deep, multifaceted economic relationship anchored by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The agreement is the cornerstone to Canada’s trade policy in the Indo-Pacific region, eliminating or reducing tariffs on most key Canadian exports to Japan. Since the entry into force of the CPTPP in 2018, bilateral merchandise trade has increased nearly 20%. Japan is Canada’s fifth-largest merchandise trading partner, and fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI). In 2025, two-way merchandise trade was $35.6 billion. 

This mission will give participating companies in Team Canada visibility and direct access to Japanese decision-makers, potential R&D partners, and a sophisticated consumer market that deeply values Canadian reliability and innovation. It also positions participating companies to better engage into stable, innovation-driven supply chains or secure strategic investment. This is key in a market defined by stability, high-growth emerging advanced technologies with a shared commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific.

Opportunities for Canadian companies in Japan

Defence and security, including aerospace and advanced manufacturing

In recent years, Japan’s defence industry has become increasingly receptive to foreign involvement. New openings are emerging, although challenges remain, such as the complex process of registering as a qualified supplier, and the need for an in-market partner for those who are not. The entry into force of the Canada-Japan Security of Information Agreement (SIA) and the Canada-Japan Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement (ETTA) present new opportunities for Canadian suppliers to engage more directly with major Japanese primes and defence system integrators.

There may be opportunities for Canadian defence suppliers offering:

  • advanced/emerging technology solutions such as AI, quantum computing, autonomy
  • command/control/communications solutions
  • advanced cybersecurity
  • intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance solutions including maritime surveillance and earth observation 
  • advanced personal equipment
  • unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), anti-UAV technologies and uncrewed equipment solutions such as:
    • unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV)
    • unmanned surface vehicle (USV)
    • unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)

Criteria of candidate companies for this sector includes:

  • well-established defence suppliers with equipment deployed
  • demonstrated track-record of supply to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partners, or Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) forces
  • record of collaborative R&D with CAF/Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), the National Research Council (NRC), similar peer agencies among NATO partners, or participation in NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programmes
  • established supply relationships with key global defence primes
  • development and manufactures technologies that offer clear advantages over Japanese domestic options or options available through the Foreign Military Sales program

Participating companies will benefit from:

  • up-to-date information on Japan’s procurement system and priorities
  • information on the process to become a qualified direct supplier, and other requirements to bid directly
  • the opportunity for business matching with Japanese technical integrators, trading houses, and agents
  • where appropriate, the possibility of direct introduction to key Japanese primes and the Japan Ministry of Defence Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA)
Information and communication technologies, including artificial intelligence

Japan’s rapidly growing demand for AI-enabled autonomous vehicles, drones, and unmanned smart systems presents strong expansion opportunities for Canadian companies. The autonomous vehicle market in Japan is projected to reach over $18 billion by 2033, while the drone and unmanned aerial system (UAS) market is expected to also grow significantly. This creates opportunities for Canadian AI firms whose technologies have both commercial and defence applications. 

Similarly, Japan’s smart‑factory and robotics sector is accelerating adoption of AI for predictive maintenance, autonomous machinery, and advanced sensing among other use cases. Japanese automakers, robotics firms, and telecom operators are increasingly seeking Canadian AI expertise to enhance autonomy capabilities and diversify their partnerships in favour of a diversifying their partnerships through technology that is not dependent on one country.

As one of the policy pillars under the AI and Semiconductor Industrial Infrastructure Enhancement Framework, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has allocated over $10 billion in its budget for the next fiscal year (beginning April 1, 2025 and ending March 31, 2026) to promote the development of next‑generation semiconductors, AI robots, and physical AI. 

To address regional security needs, Japan is also expanding investments into:

  • AI-enabled sensing
  • autonomous mission systems
  • intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) analytics
  • automated drones

Defence-adjacent companies in Japan are actively pursuing foreign partners with strengths in:

  • perception
  • simulation
  • autonomy stacks, and 
  • counter-UAS technologies

Canadian firms specializing in AI covering autonomous navigation, robotics, and mission-critical software are drawing Japanese interest as trusted providers of secure, high-performance, and ethically aligned innovation.  

The TCTM offers a strategic platform for Canadian firms to engage both commercial and defence‑adjacent partners in one of the world’s most advanced and opportunity‑rich markets for AI and autonomous systems.

Technology areas expected to drive demand in Japan’s autonomous vehicle market

  • AI inference and learning platforms (Generative AI and autonomous driving)
  • Sensor fusion / LiDAR Analysis
  • Automatic generation of high-definition maps
  • Sovereign cloud and in-vehicle data management
  • Cybersecurity for autonomous driving such as Controller Area Network (CAN) and Over-the-Air (OTA) integrity
Clean technologies and energy transition

Japan is advancing its Green Transformation (GX) policy through the GX2040 Vision, a national strategy that demonstrates the prospects for promoting GX and related support measures. The goal is to achieve a stable supply of energy, economic growth, and decarbonization, based on Japan’s 7th Strategic Energy Plan. Japan remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 46% from 2013 levels by 2030, reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. This includes funding for new decarbonized industrial clusters. 

Japanese firms are actively seeking solutions in the expanding decarbonization market, creating opportunities for Canadian companies in:

  • decarbonization technologies
  • clean energy technologies
  • hydrogen production technologies and storage
  • energy efficiency technologies
  • biomass
Agriculture and agri-food including fish and seafood

Japan is a net importer of agri-food and seafood products and the third largest destination for Canadian agri-food and seafood exports. Top exports from Canada are:

  • pork
  • canola seed
  • wheat
  • soybeans
  • beef

The CPTPP gives Canadian agriculture and agri-food products preferential market access in Japan. Under the agreement, tariffs have been eliminated or reduced on a wide range of Canadian agri-food and seafood exports, including:

  • meat 
  • grains
  • pulses
  • maple syrup
  • wines and spirits

Canada and Japan have also had an organic equivalency agreement since 2014 covering: 

  • plant products (since 2014) 
  • livestock products (since 2020)
  • alcoholic beverages (since 2023)

While bulk commodities make up most of Canadian agri-food exports to Japan, there are strong opportunities for retail and consumer-oriented processed food products. Specific areas of opportunities include: 

  • organic products 
  • healthy and functional food products

Fish and seafood

Japan is one of the world’s largest seafood importers and Canada's third largest market for fish and seafood exports in value. Canada benefits from a strong and positive country brand. The high quality of Canadian fish and seafood is well recognized in Japan, particularly products such as: 

  • lobster
  • snow crab
  • cold-water shrimp, salmon, whelk, capelin, and herring roe

Price competitiveness is the key, given high price sensitivity amongst consumers in Japan, and strong competition from other suppliers, notably Chile, China, Thailand, and the United States.

Forestry and forest products

Japan is a long-standing, high-value market for Canadian forest products, including lumber, value-added wood products wood pellets and pulp and paper, with exports reaching $1.1 billion in 2025. Opportunities exist for Canadian firms with the expansion of wood use in mid-rise, non-residential, and mass-timber buildings, due to climate-related policies and regional revitalization needs.

Japan is also the world’s fastest growing market for wood pellets and Canada’s top export destination. Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) policy has driven rapid growth in demand for wood pellets for electricity generation, whether through co-firing with coal or in dedicated biomass power plants in the country. It is expected that the demand will grow further and peak before 2030. 

Areas with significant growth potential include:

  • engineered wood applications
  • dimension lumber in post-and-beam hybrid applications
  • full panelized solution 
  • wood pellets/biomass 

Travel considerations and expenses

Travel advice and advisories

No matter where you plan to travel, make sure you check the Travel Advice and Advisories page for your destination twice: 

  • when you are planning your trip 
  • shortly before you leave

Safety and security conditions may change between the date you book your travel and your departure date.

We strongly encourage all participants to complete the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) to receive timely updates and assistance in case of emergencies during travel. 

Entry requirements

Your passport must be valid beyond the date of expected departure from Japan. Please consult the Embassy of Japan in Canada for the most up-to-date information on entry requirements. Please note the Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination's entry or exit requirements.  

Travel arrangements and expenses

There is no fee to participate in the trade mission. However, participants are responsible for organizing their own travel arrangements, including all air and ground transportation to and from the airport, and to make their own accommodation reservations. Programming and travel information (such as local transportation options and hotel information) will be provided to confirmed participants as information becomes available.

Cancellation insurance

We strongly encourage you to consider purchasing cancellation insurance and/or a refundable ticket in case the trade mission dates change or if you are no longer able to attend.

Funding programs

The Government of Canada, as well as individual provincial and territorial governments offer export financing and other programs that help Canadian businesses expand internationally. Please consult the Business Benefits Finder to find programs and services that might be suitable to your needs.

Submit your application

All applications will undergo a screening process to assess eligibility and suitability for the trade mission. Please ensure your application includes all relevant and detailed information. Your answers should be individually tailored to each question, and specific to this trade mission. 

Due to the high volume of applications, evaluation will be based on the information provided. The trade mission team may be unable to follow-up in cases of incomplete information. The TCS reserves the right to select the Canadian companies and organizations that are the most aligned with the sectoral focus and the objectives of the mission.

To maximize the number of organizations able to participate, a maximum of two representatives per organization can register for the trade mission. However, some specific program elements may have capacity limits that may only allow for the attendance of one representative per organization.

If you are selected to be part of the trade mission, you will be provided with a detailed program and additional resources to assist you in making your travel arrangements.

Application deadline:  April 21, 2026, at 23:59 PT.

Submit your application

Resources

Contact us

Questions? Please reach out to the Trade Missions Team at tctm.mcec.jpn@international.gc.ca or contact the Trade Commissioner Service.

Additional Information

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