South Korean startups target Japanese market via Osaka and Kobe programs

South Korean organizations are actively supporting domestic startups in their expansion into the Japanese market through specialized programs in the Kansai region.

The Women's Enterprise Support Center operated a ‘K-Beauty Female Startup Pavilion’ at COSME Week OSAKA 2026. The initiative supported 10 K-beauty startups, providing product promotion and matching them with local buyers to facilitate entry into the Japanese beauty industry. The center also collaborated with the Osaka Department of Industry and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce to build a foundation for future cooperation.

Simultaneously, the Busan Creative Economy Innovation Center is facilitating the entry of 11 Korean startups specializing in life sciences and green transformation (GX) into Osaka and Kobe. As part of the Global Startup EXPO 2026, these companies are participating in IR pitching, business meetups, and networking sessions with Japanese corporations and venture capitalists. The center has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Innovation Dojo Japan to establish a cooperative system for mutual market entry between Korean and Japanese startups.