The event 'Emilia-Romagna meets Japan' was held on September 25 at the Italian Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka. It was organized by the MIMIT Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy in collaboration with the Emilia-Romagna Region and the regional development agency ART-ER. The goal of the initiative was to promote the region to potential foreign investors. The event featured speakers from the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Mimit, two Japanese companies with a significant presence in Emilia-Romagna (Toyota and Nikon SLM Solutions), and a company headquartered in Emilia-Romagna with a strong presence in Japan (Marposs).
The presentations highlighted the region's innovation ecosystem, the support provided to businesses, the successful integration of Japanese companies into the local industrial value chains, and the strong, long-standing economic ties between Emilia-Romagna and Japan. ART-ER presented on the role of the Emilia-Romagna Region in attracting foreign investment. The Vice President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Vincenzo Colla, concluded the event by stating that the mission to Osaka confirms the existing network of relationships and serves as a starting point for attracting new investments and talent to the region.
Toyota Material Handling Italy, represented during this event by the CB Supply Finance Director Stefania Martelli, recently announced a new expansion investment in the region with an amount of over 94 million euros. Nikon SLM Italy, represented in this mission by the CEO Alessandro Polacco, inaugurated its design center in Reggio Emilia in 2024 and is rapidly increasing its presence and integration with the local value chains and innovation ecosystem.
The event was part of a week-long series of initiatives held at the Italian Pavilion and dedicated to the Emilia-Romagna region. Many regional actors attended the event including the regional Clust-ER associations and MUNER Motorvehicle University of Emilia-Romagna.
For more information: https://www.emiliaromagnaexpoosaka.it/en
