rom May 19 to 23, the largest and most significant Latvian trade mission to date in the region will take place in Japan, led by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, and Minister of Economics, Viktors Valainis. They will be joined by a business delegation of 90 people who will participate in business events in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as in a business forum held during Latvia’s National Day at EXPO 2025 Osaka.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated: “This year marks the 100th anniversary since Latvia first participated in a world exhibition – EXPO. It’s a symbolic anniversary and an excellent opportunity to draw attention to the Baltic region. Latvia’s participation in EXPO 2025 Osaka is an important step in the development of our economic diplomacy. The joint Latvian and Lithuanian pavilion is not only a platform to showcase our cultural and technological achievements but also an opportunity to forge new partnerships that will foster creativity and technology commercialization in the future.”
In total, more than 200 Latvian companies will participate in the Japan-based business events organized this year by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), with an additional 138 companies participating remotely.
Minister of Economics, Viktors Valainis, said: “EXPO is attended by 158 countries – it’s a place where the whole world meets, and it will attract 28 million visitors. It’s a strategic opportunity for Latvia to position itself in Japan as a reliable partner in the fields of technology and innovation. Our goal is to foster long-term cooperation with Japanese companies and investors, attract new investments, and open new markets for Latvian exporters. Interest in the Baltics in Japan is high – in the first month alone, our pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka was visited by 150,000 people, proving Latvia’s potential to attract international attention.”
Alongside the celebration of Latvia’s National Day at EXPO 2025 Osaka, the delegation will participate in an extensive business program. On May 19, a high-level investment forum will be held in Tokyo, with over 70 top executives confirmed to attend. Companies such as Marubeni Corporation, Yokohama Rubber, FORTES, as well as Latvenergo and LMT will present their visions for cooperation potential, showcasing Latvia’s expertise in the fields of energy and data technologies.
On May 20, a business forum will take place in Osaka, which will cover not only investment topics but also exports and the offerings of Latvian companies for the Japanese market. In addition, top Latvian officials and company representatives will hold dozens of bilateral meetings with Japanese entrepreneurs and industry organizations, including companies such as Sony, Hitachi, Panasonic, Toshiba Corporation, Itochu Corporation, and the Japanese business federation Keidanren, among others.
“To ease Latvian companies’ access to the Japanese market, LIAA has scheduled 16 different business events in Japan this year. Thanks to the professionalism of the LIAA team, we’ve managed to engage both major Japanese corporations and companies from various industries. Our goal over the next three years is to increase exports to Japan by €50 million and attract €30 million in investments,” said LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere.
The Latvian business delegation will include 36 companies and organizations from various industries such as woodworking, pharmaceuticals, food production, ICT, and others. Among them are: LMT, Blockchain Association of Latvia, Latvian IT Cluster, Latvian Fintech Association, JEFF, IDT Media, APPLY, Batwatex, Eunomia Traffic AG, IE.LA Engineers, Olpha, Pharmidea, Baltacon, Latvijas Finieris, Riga Chair Factory, Latvia Packing, LSEZ Laskana, Latvenergo, Fortes, Jelgava Machine-Building Plant, Amazone, Latvian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association, Rundāle Palace Museum, Estravel Latvia, IMPRO Travel, Baltu Rotas, Goal Event Group, Remark-s, ZAB Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns, AS Superia, LTRK, The Red Jackets (Latvian Exporters Association), Latgale Planning Region, Rīga Stradiņš University, Voldemārs, Digitālā Pele, PADTEX INSULATION.
In 2024, Japan was Latvia’s 40th largest export and 47th largest import partner, with total trade volume reaching €105.5 million. Latvian exports to Japan have increased by 17% over the past year, mainly due to demand for wood, mineral products, and pharmaceutical goods. A positive trade balance (+€37.1 million) and growing interest in Latvian products create a favorable background for the future success of this trade mission.
The state visit to Japan is organized by the Ministry of Economics and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in close cooperation with the Chancellery of the President of Latvia and the Embassy of Latvia in Japan. The trade mission is organized within the framework of the Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Program for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the state budget of Latvia.
About the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA):
The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) promotes the competitiveness of Latvian entrepreneurs, export growth, and attraction of investments. It also develops the tourism sector and implements the national branding policy. LIAA serves as the government’s partner in business development – from idea to global markets. With a wide network of foreign representations and regional business centers in Latvia, LIAA helps companies grow and positions Latvia as a secure, innovative, and open country in the global economy.
Photo: LIAA
Prepared by:
International Marketing and Communications Department, LIAA
Email: prese@liaa.gov.lv
Phone: +371 29725674