KOTRA Holds Future Vehicle Technology Exchange Event in Japan from May 20 to 22
Don Quijote Consumer Goods Export Consultation Also Takes Place
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on May 22 that it held a three-day event starting on May 20 to support Korean companies targeting the Chubu region, the center of Japan's manufacturing industry.
KOTRA held the "Korea-Japan K-Tech Partnering Exhibition and Consultation" on the 20th in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture, where factories of Japan's leading automotive parts companies are located. Scene from the consultation venue. Photo by KOTRA
On May 20, KOTRA held the "Korea-Japan K-Tech Partnering Exhibition and Consultation" in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture, where factories of Japan's leading automotive parts companies are located. This event was organized to address the demand for innovative technologies not only in the Japanese domestic market but also in Japanese parts factories around the world.
Fifteen Korean companies with future vehicle innovation technologies?including autonomous driving, next-generation batteries, and SDV-related programs?participated in the event. More than 320 procurement and advanced development executives from automotive parts companies visited the exhibition. On-site, export and development consultations as well as product showcases were held, resulting in a total of 246 export consultations and confirming a variety of potential follow-up business opportunities.
The Chubu region in Japan consists of nine prefectures. Among them, Aichi Prefecture is home to Toyota's headquarters and has maintained the top spot in manufacturing shipment volume among Japan's 47 prefectures for 46 consecutive years, making it the heart of Japanese manufacturing. KOTRA's Japan Regional Headquarters sought business opportunities in three main areas centered on this industrial zone: future vehicle parts, mobility innovation technologies, and consumer goods.
On the following day, May 21, five Korean companies, including startups, also participated in the "2025 Korea Promising Startups-Japan Investors Meetup Day" held at the K-Tech Camp at KOTRA's Nagoya Trade Office. At this event, four Japanese companies?including prominent venture capital firms such as Meinan M&A and Musashi Seimitsu?attended to review the technological capabilities and investment potential of the Korean startups.
Additionally, on May 22, Don Quijote, Japan's leading large-scale retail company, visited KOTRA's Seoul headquarters to hold the "2025 K-Consumer Goods 1:1 Export Consultation." Don Quijote initially selected 20 companies from among 258 Korean applicants for the first round of online consultations. Of these, 10 domestic consumer goods companies?whose products matched the needs of both sides in categories such as cosmetics, food, daily necessities, and fashion accessories?visited the site for in-person consultations.
Don Quijote is well known as a distributor that quickly and flexibly sells overseas trend products at more than 640 large stores across Japan. Products that secure export contracts through this consultation are expected to be sold first at stores in the Chubu region, with nationwide expansion depending on market response.
Park Yongmin, head of KOTRA's Japan Regional Headquarters, stated, "As uncertainty in the global trade environment increases, the importance of cooperation with Japan is being emphasized. We can see a 'rediscovery of Made in Korea' across various fields in the Japanese market." He added, "On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, KOTRA will create opportunities for a 'win-win' through mutual cooperation between the industries of both countries."
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