Events

[Seminar]Global Semiconductor & Regional Innovation Seminar and Networking Session : Connect with Japan's Regional Semiconductor Ecosystems

Japan's semiconductor industry is going through its biggest transformation in decades. They are actively looking for international partners. Driven by large-scale investments, semiconductor ecosystems are growing across the country, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, research institutions, universities, and workforce development initiatives. Collaboration with international partners has become increasingly important.
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) invites overseas companies, regional ecosystem builders and research organizations to this seminar and networking session. It is held on December 8, 2026, the day before SEMICON Japan 2026.

The program will highlight Japan’s regional semiconductor ecosystems, specifically focusing on four Strategic Industry Clusters designated under the Strategy for the Future of Regions adopted in July this year. Through the event, JETRO will also feature leading organizations from the United States, EU and its member states, highlighting the latest ecosystem landscape, technological innovation in AI-driven semiconductor development, international research collaboration and business opportunities.
Japanese academic leader in advanced 3D packaging will also deliver the latest initiative on workforce development and international collaboration.

The event will conclude with a networking session, offering opportunities to build connection with various stakeholders.

Event Overview

Dates Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Time 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (JST, UTC+9)
Format Hybrid (on-site or online via Zoom webcast)
Venue JETRO Hall, Japan (5th Floor, Ark Mori Building, 12-32 Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Organized by JETRO
In cooperation with EU Business Hub
Supported by RISE-A
Fee Free of charge
Language Japanese–English simultaneous interpretation
Capacity On-site 100 participants (first come, first served) /Recordings available on demand
Registration deadline December 7, 2026, 12:00pm (JST)

*The networking session is for on-site participants only.

Program

14:00-14:05 Opening Remarks: Naoyuki Maekawa, Director General, Innovation Department, JETRO
14:05-15:00 The Forefront of Semiconductor Innovation and Global Collaboration in the AI Era
  • NY Creates: Mr. Frank Tolic, Director of Business Development
  • Arizona State University: Prof. Zachary Holman Vice Dean for Research and Innovation, Fulton Schools of Engineering
  • The Delegation of the European Union to Japan: (Speaker to be announced)
  • JASMINE Project: Dr. Mircea Modreanu, Coordinator, Japan and EU Semiconductors: Mutual Innovation & Excellence (JASMINE)
  • Photon Delta: Mr. Florian Federer Business Development Manager, Asia
15:00-15:35 Driving Semiconductor Innovation and Industry Growth Through Regional Ecosystems
  • Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry:
    Tomohiko Minami, Counsellor for Semiconductor and AI Industry, Manufacturing and IT Industries Division
  • Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry:
    Takumi Sasaki, Director for Information Policy and Semiconductor Strategy, Economic Policy Division,
  • Chugoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry:
    Tetsuya Harada, Manager, Regional Economic Department, Semiconductor Industry Division
  • Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry:
    Minoru Maki, Director, Information Policy Division, Economic Policy Department
15:35-15:50 International Collaboration and Workforce Development for the Next Generation of Semiconductor Innovation
Prof. Fumihiro Inoue, Professor, Division of Systems Research, Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University. Deputy Director, 3D Packaging Division, LSTC
15:50-17:00 Networking Session. *On-site participants only, coffee and tea will be served.

*The program and speakers are subject to change.

Register for the Seminar Here:External site: a new window will open.
Reference:
JETRO will exhibit at the booth at SEMICON Japan 2026, held December 9–11 at Tokyo Big Sight (Booth No. E7201). We will introduce JETRO's services for overseas companies and showcase Japan's regional semiconductor ecosystems. If you are interested in one-on-one meetings during SEMICON Japan, please feel free to contact us through the application form for this seminar.

Contact for Inquiries

Ecosystem Division, Innovation Department, JETRO (Person in charge: Toyoda, Mikami)
Email: Invest_Region@jetro.go.jp