Applications Now Open “Japan Entry Acceleration Program (JEAP) 2026” A Program to Foster Business Collaboration with Global Regenerative Medicine Companies

Jul 01, 2026

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) (President: ISHIGURO Norihiko; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) hereby announces that it will implement the “Japan Entry Acceleration Program (JEAP) 2026” edition, aimed at attracting promising international firms seeking to enter the Japanese market or establish partnerships with Japanese companies.

First launched in FY2025 as part of the Invest Japan and “J-Bridge” frameworks jointly developed by JETRO and the Japanese Government, this Acceleration Program promotes international collaboration and business partnerships between Japanese and international companies. In its inaugural year, approximately 70 companies from 25 countries worldwide applied to the program. From these, JETRO selected 10 companies—primarily from the United States and Europe—comprising six in oncology, two in ophthalmology, and one each in diabetes and knee joint care.
Subsequently, JETRO held a Demo Day in Tokyo in February 2026 to showcase the program’s outcomes, where selected companies presented their activities and participated in a networking session. The event attracted approximately 100 participants from diverse backgrounds, including universities, research institutions, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), contract research organizations (CROs), pharmaceutical companies, and venture capital firms.

In its second edition, the program will be held with the support of the Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM). JETRO will select approximately 10 international companies from among applicants between July and October 2026 and provide introductory lectures on entering the Japanese market, tailored mentoring, and opportunities to meet with Japanese academic institutions and companies to explore potential collaborations. With a view to fostering the creation of new, partnership-driven value, we will also provide business matching opportunities between Japanese companies and promising international firms.

As of July 1, 2026, applications are now open for international companies in the field of regenerative medicine.
For more details about the program, please visit the JETRO website below.
JEAP2026 website (Apply Now: Regenerative medicine companies for Japan Entry Acceleration Program 2026)

We plan to hold a Demo Day in Tokyo at the end of February 2027 to showcase the program’s outcomes. Further details will be announced on the JETRO website at a later date.

What is JETRO?

JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, is a government-related organization dedicated to promoting the socioeconomic development of Japan through trade, investment, and research on developing economies. Leveraging its extensive network of more than 70 overseas offices and approximately 50 domestic offices—including its Headquarters in Tokyo, JETRO Osaka, and the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE)—JETRO dynamically and efficiently promotes innovation, supports exports of agricultural, forestry, fishery and food products and facilitates the overseas expansion of SMEs. It also contributes to the business activities of Japanese companies and the trade policies of the Japanese Government through surveys and research.