State Minister Iwata Visits France

1. Delivering a keynote speech for the opening session of VivaTech 2024 and participating in an unveiling ceremony for the Japan Pavilio

Japan participated in VivaTech 2024 as Country of the Year and presented the Japan Pavilion with 60 companies as exhibitors consisting of large companies and startups, including eleven J-Startups,* which actively engage in open innovation.

State Minister Iwata attended an opening session and delivered a keynote speech along with a video message sent by Prime Minister Kishida. In the speech, he explained Japan's efforts to foster and support startups and conveyed information to the world on Japan's ecosystem of startups with unique technologies and ideas that contribute to solving social challenges, including cleantech, digital technology and AI, and mobility. Through this speech, he encouraged not only Japanese startups to develop business overseas but also other countries to invest in Japan.

Moreover, as H.E. Mr. Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, France, visited the Japan Pavilion, State Minister Iwata explained to him Japan’s ecosystem of startups with unique technologies and ideas that contribute to solving social challenges.

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2. Exchanging views with ministers of participating countries and stakeholders of companies

1. H.E. Ms. Valérie Pécresse, President of the Regional Council of Île-de-France

State Minister Iwata held a meeting with President Pécresse of the Regional Council of Île-de-France, a regional administrative area centered on Paris. The two sides held discussions on inter-regional collaboration between startups centered on the Paris metropolitan area and future cooperation.

2. H.E. Ms. Marina Ferrari, Secretary of State for Digital Affairs, attached to the Minister for Economic Affairs, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, France

State Minister Iwata held a meeting with Secretary Ferrari and explained Japan’s AI policy. At the same time, the two sides confirmed that Japan and France will enhance Japan-France cooperation in the fields of startups and innovation, including human resource exchanges between entrepreneurs towards Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Following the meeting, they signed the Joint Statement of Intent on Japanese-French Cooperation for Startups and Innovation.

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3. His Royal Highness Prince Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie, Prince of Luxembourg, and H.E. Ms. Stéphanie Obertin, Minister for Digitalization, Luxembourg

State Minister Iwata held a meeting with Prince Guillaume and Minister Obertin, who participated in VivaTech 2024. The two sides held discussions on enhancing cooperation in the fields of startups and innovation. Following the meeting, State Minister Iwata guided Prince Guillaume and Minister Obertin to the Japan Pavilion and explained Japan’s ecosystem of startups with unique technologies and ideas that contribute to solving social challenges.

3. Visiting Station F

State Minister Iwata visited Station F, the world’s largest startup incubation facility. He received explanations on France’s project for supporting startups and exchanged views with representatives of startups occupying Station F.

Related Material

• Joint Statement of Intent on Japanese-French cooperation for startups and innovation(PDF:115KB)

Division in Charge

Europe Division, Trade Policy Bureau