For companies
Navigate Japan’s circular economy with the team that covers it every day
Japan is rewriting its resource strategy, and Japanese companies, ministries and cities are looking for partners. Circular Economy Hub helps overseas companies, brands, solution providers and investors understand the Japanese market, meet the right people and turn interest into projects. Research, study tours, introductions and advisory, delivered in English by the team behind Japan’s dedicated circular economy media.
CHALLENGESDoes this sound familiar?
Understanding the policy
You need to know how Japan’s circular economy policy, regulations and subsidy programmes are evolving, and what they mean for your business.
Finding partners
You are looking for Japanese companies, suppliers, municipalities or research partners, but do not know who is serious about circularity.
Seeing it first-hand
You want to visit Japan’s leading circular companies and cities, and make every meeting count.
Validating the opportunity
You need a clear picture of the market, the competition and the demand before committing resources.
Being seen in Japan
You have a circular solution or case study, and you want Japan’s decision-makers to know about it.
Working across languages
Most of the information, and most of the conversations, are in Japanese. You need a partner who works in both.
SERVICESHow we help overseas companies
01Research / IntelligenceJapan circular economy policy and market research
Clear, sourced answers in English about what is happening in Japan and what it means for you.
Policy and regulation briefings
How Japan’s national circular economy strategy, sector regulations, recycling laws and subsidy programmes are changing, who is driving them, and the timelines that matter. Delivered as a written briefing or a live session with Q&A.
Market and landscape reports
Custom research on a sector, material or business model in Japan: leading companies and startups, municipal programmes, partnerships, demand signals and competitors. Scope, format and depth are set to your needs and budget.
Ongoing monitoring
A regular English digest of the developments in Japan that are relevant to your business, curated by the editorial team that reads everything so you do not have to.
02Study Tours / Field VisitsStudy tours to Japan’s circular pioneers
We design and coordinate visits to the companies, cities and regions leading Japan’s circular transition.
Programme design
We propose destinations and hosts that match your objectives, whether that is a specific industry, a business model such as reuse and repair, or circular city policy, and build a programme around them.
Coordination on the ground
Requests to hosts, scheduling, briefings on each destination and support during the visit, so your team can focus on the conversations.
Learning programmes
Combine the visits with workshops and expert sessions for your leadership team, sustainability team or investment committee, and leave Japan with conclusions rather than just impressions.
03Network / MatchingIntroductions to Japanese companies, government and cities
The right introduction, to the right person, with the context that makes the conversation productive.
Business partners
Introductions to Japanese manufacturers, brands, retailers, recyclers, suppliers and startups who are actively working on circularity, drawn from our member companies, the organisations we support and the people we interview.
Government and municipalities
Connections with ministries, agencies and the cities and prefectures that are leading Japan’s circular city movement, including the local governments we advise.
Research and industry bodies
Universities, research institutes, industry associations and platforms such as Circular Partners, the initiative led by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, of which we are a member.
04Advisory / ConsultingAdvisory for your Japan strategy
Choose the level of support that fits your team and budget.
Retainer advisory
Regular sessions with our team to shape and pressure-test your approach to Japan, from market entry and partnership strategy to circular product and service design for Japanese customers.
Project consulting
Hands-on support for a defined project: a market entry study, a partner search, a pilot with a Japanese city, a circularity assessment or a stakeholder engagement programme.
Spot consulting
A single session to answer specific questions, review your plans or brief your team before a decision or a trip.
05Visibility / CommunicationGet your story in front of Japan’s circular economy community
Being known in Japan opens doors. Our media and events reach the people you want to meet.
Editorial coverage
Our editorial team covers international solutions, policies and case studies that are relevant to Japanese readers. Tell us about yours and we will consider it for an article or interview in Circular Economy Hub.
Events and speaking
Present your work to Japanese companies and municipalities at our events, or invite our team to speak about Japan’s circular economy at yours.
Content and partnership programmes
Co-created content, webinars and partnership programmes for organisations that want a sustained presence in Japan’s circular economy conversation.
Tell us about your plans for Japan
Share your objectives, timeline and the kind of support you are looking for. We will reply within three business days with a proposal that fits your team and budget.
WHY USWhat makes Circular Economy Hub different
Insight
Japan’s dedicated circular economy media
We are the only media in Japan dedicated to the circular economy. Our editorial team follows policy, companies and cities every day and interviews the people behind them, so our research starts from what is actually happening rather than from desk research alone.
Network
Relationships across Japan’s circular economy
Member companies, the organisations we support and the companies, municipalities, industry bodies and research institutions we meet through our reporting. When we introduce you, the door is already half open.
Bridge
Working in English, in Japan and in Europe
Our team is based in Japan and across Europe, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Austria, and works with circular economy organisations on both sides. We understand what international companies need from Japan, and what Japanese partners need from you.
TRACK RECORDIndustries we have supported
We have supported circular economy transitions in Japan across the following industries, from companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market to SMEs and startups.
We also speak regularly for companies, NGOs, local governments and schools across Japan.
FAQFrequently asked questions
Do you work in English?
Yes. Briefings, reports, meetings and tours are delivered in English, and our team works with Japanese counterparts in Japanese, so nothing is lost between the two.
Do we need to have a presence in Japan?
No. Many engagements start remotely with research and online briefings. Study tours and introductions are arranged when you are ready to visit or to meet Japanese partners online.
How are fees structured?
Each engagement is scoped individually, from a single briefing or report to a multi-month retainer. Tell us what you need and we will propose options that fit your budget.
Do you work with startups and investors?
Yes. We support startups exploring Japan and investors looking at Japanese circular economy companies, and we run programmes for circular startups in Japan.
Ready to talk?
Tell us about your organisation and what you want to achieve in Japan. We will reply within three business days.