Between October 23–24, 2025, the city of Iași will host the third edition of the Romania–Japan Innovation Forum, a large-scale event that strengthens economic and scientific cooperation between the two nations, at a time when digital transformation and the green economy are shaping new global development paradigms.
A Strategic Platform for Cooperation Between Two Complementary Economies
The forum is organized by the Iași City Hall, in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Romania, the JETRO Bucharest Office, the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, with the support of the Japanese Business Association in Romania (JBA), the Iași universities, the Iași Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Digital Innovation Zone IT Cluster.
The event brings together over 100 representatives from the business, academic, and diplomatic environments of both countries, reaffirming Iași’s status as a regional center for innovation and economic development.
Opening Ceremony – A High-Level Diplomatic Gathering
The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 23, at 1:00 p.m., in the Hall of the Voivodes at the Palace of Culture, in the presence of His Excellency Takashi Katae, Ambassador of Japan to Romania.
Among the distinguished guests are Radu Miruță, Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of Romania; Kozo Saiki, Special Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and former Executive Secretary to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; and His Excellency Ovidiu Dranga, former Ambassador of Romania to Japan.
They will be joined by university representatives, researchers, and entrepreneurs from both countries, active in fields such as technology, energy, and sustainability.
Visits to Leading Innovation-Driven Companies in Iași
Following the opening ceremony, Romanian and Japanese delegations will visit three leading companies representing Iași’s innovation ecosystem:
- Amazon Development Center (Romania) – a regional center of excellence in software and artificial intelligence;
- Antibiotice SA – a national leader in the pharmaceutical industry, exporting to over 70 countries;
- Aumovio – an emerging company specializing in autonomous technologies and smart mobility.
These visits aim to offer Japanese partners a firsthand perspective on the economic and technological potential of the North-Eastern region.
Innovation, Science, and Academic Cooperation
Friday, October 24, will feature thematic sessions coordinated by Iași’s universities, structured along four key areas of discussion:
- Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity
- Mobility, Logistics, and Smart City
- Health and Medical Biotechnologies
- Sustainability, Green Energy, and Smart Agriculture
These panels will serve as a platform for knowledge transfer, project presentations, and scientific cooperation between Romanian and Japanese researchers and innovators.
Economic Cooperation and Investment Opportunities: Business Matching Romania–Japan
In the afternoon, Business Matching (B2B) meetings will be held to enable direct interactions between Japanese and Romanian companies, fostering investment opportunities, technological partnerships, and joint ventures.
Among the major Japanese corporations attending the event are Takeda, Hitachi, Fujitsu, NTT Data, Nippon Yusen, Yusen Logistics, Padeco, Pacific Consultants, and Maruben—global leaders in IT, medical technology, logistics, strategic consulting, and infrastructure.
Opening Towards the Region: Romania–Japan–Moldova Trilateral Cooperation
The forum will conclude on Saturday, October 25, with an official visit to Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, dedicated to Japanese company representatives. The visit aims to explore emerging markets in Moldova and to promote a trilateral Romania–Japan–Moldova partnership, in a region undergoing rapid economic transformation.
Iași – An Emerging Hub for Innovation and International Cooperation
Through hosting the Romania–Japan Innovation Forum, Iași reinforces its position as a strategic bridge between Eastern Europe and Asia, becoming a hub for dialogue in technology, education, and sustainable investment.
The collaboration with Japan—globally recognized for its industrial discipline, technological excellence, and advanced research—opens new prospects for the local and national economy, from joint projects in digitalization and green growth to high-value technological investments.
