A promising first step towards Japan

In the run-up to its trade mission to the Osaka World Expo in June, the MEB is stepping up its initiatives to offer the Principality's entrepreneurs as many opportunities as possible.

The Monaco Economic Board has begun preparations for the trade mission to Tokyo and Osaka from 26 June to 3 July 2025, organised with the invaluable support of H.E. Didier Gamerdinger, Monaco's Ambassador to Japan and India. The trip will take place during the Osaka World Expo, when the Principality's pavilion will be honoured on Monaco National Day.

With this in mind, Justin Highman, Deputy CEO of the MEB, travelled to the Land of the Rising Sun at the beginning of December on a reconnaissance mission to meet the various people the MEB will be relying on to build this trip.

He was first received by Nicolas Bonnardel, Director General of the France Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a privileged local partner, the oldest and largest foreign chamber of commerce in Japan, with over 600 members, both French and Japanese. Justin Highman was able to meet with this high-quality, culturally accessible network at the French Japan Business Summit, an event that brought together more than 1,000 economic players for a day of conferences. He also met Jean-François Rauch, Director of the Osaka office of the same chamber of commerce. 

Another key body is the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This is a major institution that the MEB intends to approach during a webinar aimed at Tokyo-based companies in order to present the Principality's economic advantages, which are often little-known in Japan, at an early stage. This meeting has been facilitated by the support of the Monaco Consulate in Japan, which will also be a key point of contact on site.

Finally, during his visit, Justin Highman met the team of the Principality of Monaco's Promotion Office, whose mission is essentially tourism-related, but which can also provide important support, particularly in the organisation of related events, such as the Monaco Azur evening held on the premises of the legendary Leica brand, which the MEB's Deputy Director General was able to attend. The exhibition showcased the work of Japanese photographer Mikiya Takimoto, whose photos gave a highly original vision of Monaco.

The next step will be Nicolas Bonnardel's visit to the Principality on 20 January. The Managing Director of the CCI France Japan will be talking to MEB members about Japan's assets and business culture, and above all he will be proposing a tailor-made programme and a method for making this trade mission a success for companies in the Principality.