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NIPPON EXPORT AWARD

The Nippon Export Award (NEA) is an initiative of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan, with the purpose to reward those SMEs or large companies that have made significant achievements in exporting to Japan, importing into Japan, or distributing within Japan, Belgian-Luxembourg products or services.

This award is aimed at enhancing the winner’s image in both Belgian-Luxembourg and Japanese markets, and is an incentive for the company, its staff and its stakeholders.

The Nippon Export Award is organised every 2 years.
This year sees already the 13th edition.

 

The winning company will receive an award and is allowed to mention “Winner of the Nippon Export Award 2026-2027” on their materials. The use of the Nippon Export Award logo is also granted.

The winner also benefits from:

  • The possibility to invite guests/business contacts to the award ceremony at the embassy
  • Special coverage on the BLCCJ website and social media
  • Articles in newsletters of related organizations

 

For this award the BLCCJ asks the official patronage of:

  • Embassy of Belgium in Japan
  • Embassy of Luxembourg in Japan
  • Luxembourg Trade & Investment Office (LTIO Tokyo)
  • Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT Tokyo)
  • Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX Tokyo)
  • hub.brussels Tokyo
  • Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

Furthermore, the Nippon Export Award is supported by the Belgo-Luxembourg Market Council (BLMC).

 

Where and when?

The application deadline for NEA 2026-2027 is Friday 4 September 2026.
In September the BLCCJ NEA task force will select 3 finalists who will be invited to make a presentation for a professional jury in October.
The winner will be commemorated with an award ceremony at one of the embassies before the end of the year.

 

Conditions for Application

  • The award is open to any company exporting to Japan, importing into Japan or distributing within Japan, Belgian-Luxembourg products/services.
  • Companies must have been actively exporting to Japan, importing into Japan or distributing within Japan for a minimum of 3 years.
  • Previous winners can reapply 4 years after their last participation with a different brand or service.
  • Applicants do not need to be a BLCCJ member.
  • Companies without representative office in Japan are also eligible.

 

Selection Criteria

The winning company will have shown outstanding export achievements.

The selection criteria are:

  • The presence in the Japanese market and the company’s significant achievement (either growth or size) in trade with Japan.
  • Showing vision in new niche markets, daring innovation to embark on new opportunities.
  • Perseverance in the conquest of the market, adaptation of the products and services to the Japanese taste and standards.
  • Originality of approach (marketing, distribution, environment protection, design, research…)
  • The company’s spirit (marketing, merchandising…).

 

Winning companies

Past winners of the Nippon Export Award are:

  • Puratos Japan KK: Award Winner in 2004
  • Frisk International NV: Award Winner in 2005
  • Ecover NV: Award Winner in 2006
  • Sarnoff Europe: Award Winner in 2007
  • Agfa Gevaert Japan: Award Winner in 2009
  • Materialise Japan: Award Winner in 2011
  • Godiva Japan, Inc.: Award winner in 2013
  • UCB Japan Co., Ltd.: Award winner in 2015
  • Eurasia Trading Co., Ltd.: Award winner in 2017
  • Grunberger Diamonds Japan: Award winner in 2019
  • AppTweak Japan: Award winner in 2022
  • The Cookware Company (GreenPan): Award winner in 2024

 

Application

If you want to try your chance this year, please fill out the required questionnaire, and send us a presentation of your company.

The application deadline is Friday 4 September 2026.

You can find more details on the event website:
https://blccj.or.jp/events/nippon-export-award-2026-2027/　

 

If you would know Belgian/Luxembourg or Japanese companies that are eligible for participation in the NEA competition, please do not hesitate to circulate the information to them. This competition is open to BLCCJ members and non-members.