DBT Engineering Biology Trade Mission to Japan

6 - 10 October 2025: Tokyo

Join the Bioeconomy in Japan! 

Are you ready to expand your innovative business and explore new horizons? Japan aims to expand its bioeconomy market to US$650 billion by 2030, providing growing and exciting opportunities for UK engineering biology companies. Capitalise on the vast market potential and the opportunity to interact with this dynamic market. 

The UK's Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is excited to announce this engineering biology trade mission to Japan in October 2025.

We Need You! 

The UK Government defines engineering biology as the design, scaling and commercialisation of biology-derived products and services that can transform sectors or produce existing products more sustainably. It draws on the tools of synthetic biology to create the next wave of innovation in the bioeconomy. 

Are you an engineering biology company that has applications in the following areas? 

• Nucleotide and protein synthesis: This includes the synthesis of genetic vectors (such as RNA, DNA, plasmids) and proteins.
• Nucleotide sequencing: This includes the sequencing of RNA and DNA, as well as diagnostic platforms for metagenomics. 
• Automation and robotics: Robotics can be used in all laboratories, including biomedical and engineering biology, to automate large parts of the work of researchers and companies. In this context robots are used to physically manipulate items, ranging from simple hand tools to entirely autonomous laboratories, including cloud labs. 
• Bioinformatics, data, AI, and supercomputing: Bioinformatics and omics in engineering biology is the processing, storing, and analysing of biological data using computational tools and statistical methods to interpret large datasets generated by omics technologies. It can be roughly split into data, software (including AI), and hardware (including supercomputing).
• Analytical tools: Techniques, methods and instruments for analysing and understanding the behaviour and functionality of biological systems, particularly those that have been engineered or modified.
• Biological materials, reagents, and feedstocks: This includes unprocessed primary commodities, processed primary commodities, processed intermediate commodities, enzymes, and chemicals necessary for all engineering biology operations.

Your company should be:

• A company that exists within the areas detailed above. 
• A company that is ready for commercial engagement (i.e. with a realistic prospect of generating new revenue from Japan within the next 1-3 years) 
• A company that is export-ready (i.e. has products/services that can be sold overseas). 

Please note that Innovate UK will run a Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) mission to Japan in parallel to DBT’s trade mission. While the GBIP mission is mainly focused on building R&D and innovation partnerships, DBT’s programme is focused on commercial outcomes and connecting you to buyers in-market. You will only be able to join one of the two delegations. For more information on the GBIP mission, please click here.

Later in the year, there will be a follow-on funding opportunity to undertake feasibility studies in Japan as part of Innovate UK's Global Explorers Programme. Comppanies selected for this mission and others will be able to apply.

Why Japan?

• Large market potential: Japan is the 3rd largest economy in the world, meaning it is a substantial market for innovative UK engineering biology companies! It is also a potential gateway to other Asian markets. 

• Home to corporate giants: Japan is home to some of the world's corporate giants such as Sojitz, Sumimoto and Fujifilm. Such companies have a significant global presence, contributing to the country's reputation as a hub for technological advancement and economic power. Japan's leading business association, Keidanren, is actively promoting biological transformation in Japanese industry (which it calls BX), creating opportunities for UK engineering biology companies who can meet Japanese companies' needs. 

• Government support: The Japanese government’s Bioeconomy Strategy aims to grow its bioeconomy to US$650 billion by 2030 through several initiatives. This creates commercial opportunities for UK engineering biology companies seeking to work in partnership with Japanese companies. 

• Innovation and technology adoption: Japan is a high-tech nation and is receptive to the highly innovative products and services coming from engineering biology, therefore providing a fertile ground for UK-based innovations. There is growing demand in Japan for international R&D partnerships!

The trade mission will take place over one week in Tokyo and Yokohama. Tokyo is a hub of Japanese Engineering Biology and Yokohama is hosting BioJapan 2025. Therefore, this mission offers your company the direct opportunity to meet with an exciting range of organisations aimed at providing direct commercial opportunity and in-market connections to grow your company's potential!  

Join us to drive changes and set new standards in one of the most dynamic markets!

Why a DBT trade mission?

Relationship-building is key to navigating the Japanese market. Our team, alongside our embassy staff, who have extensive in-market knowledge and insight into Japanese business culture, will provide a tailored programme of engagement for UK companies selected. These engagements will be focused on providing direct commercial opportunity, with delegates meeting an exciting range of organisations to foster in-market connections to grow your commercial potential.  

What to expect?

The agenda is currently being finalised and will depend on the delegates recruited. The mission is expected to include:

• Pre-mission and in-market briefings
• Curated networking opportunities to facilitate introductions with in-market stakeholders
• Pitching opportunities to potential buyers and partners
• Attendance at BioJapan 2025 as part of the MedCity Pavilion. 

Registration

No more than 6 places will be awarded, so please register your interest via the link below by 23:59 22 July 2025 (UK time). Final selection will be at the discretion of the DBT team. 

During the sign up process you will also get the opportunity to provide further details about your business and your commercial viability to support your registration. Please note, if selected for the mission we will ask companies to confirm attendance and travel arrangements by the required deadlines. If you fail to do so, you may be removed from the mission and another company given your spot.

Register

For all queries, please email contact the Department for Business and Trade at sasan.fouladipour@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

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