On April 9, 2026, we hosted the "Harwell Japan 2026 — HJD2025 Outcomes & Overseas Expansion Kickoff Seminar" at Sumida Innovation Core in Tokyo.
The event was designed to share the outcomes of Harwell Japan Day 2025, held at Harwell Campus in the UK, and to mark the first step toward overseas expansion in 2026. Attendees were primarily from the manufacturing sector, and the session generated lively discussion under the theme of "Taking overseas expansion into your own hands."
Masato Oi, designer specialising in Japanese manufacturing SMEs, presented an outcomes report from the 2025 programme at Harwell Campus, UK.
The session gave a candid picture of how participating companies have evolved since HJD2025.
Dr. Peter Harrop, visiting from the UK, delivered a special lecture covering the global demand for advanced manufacturing technologies and the strengths of Japanese companies in the energy and advanced materials sectors.
For many attendees, it was a rare opportunity to form a concrete picture of the overseas market.
Company executives who took part in HJD2025 spoke candidly about their experience of taking on the challenge of going overseas.
Practical knowledge that can only come from doing — not from a textbook — was shared openly, drawing strong resonance from the audience.
Attendees raised a wide range of concrete questions, including:
These sparked an animated discussion between speakers and the floor.
In the second half of the event, an overview of Harwell Japan Day 2026 — to be held in the UK — was announced.
The next edition is being planned as a more hands-on programme with stronger ties to local partners at Harwell Campus.