Czech Japan Hub, a bilateral platform dedicated to strengthening long-term cooperation between Czechia and Japan, has officially launched its Japanese operations at a reception hosted by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tokyo.
The event brought together entrepreneurs, professionals, cultural figures and members of the Czech-Japanese community – many of whom have spent years or decades building lives and careers across both countries. The launch marks the first milestone in the Hub's mission to transform the momentum of EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai into a permanent institutional framework for Czech-Japanese partnership.
"The bridge between two countries is made of people," said Ondřej Soška, President of Czech Japan Hub and former Commissioner General of the Czech Republic at EXPO 2025. "When you've been here for decades, not years, you understand both markets differently. You know which doors to knock on. You've built the trust. And you're still here tomorrow. That's the foundation we're building on."
The evening underscored the breadth of the Hub's ambition. Within minutes of each other, attendees posed two questions that captured the full spectrum of Czech-Japanese life: one about navigating business opportunities, the other about supporting children growing up between both cultures.
A new model for bilateral cooperation
Czech Japan Hub operates as an integrated dual-entity platform – a registered association (zapsaný spolek) in Czechia and an Ippan Shadan Hōjin (一般社団法人) in Japan. This structure enables seamless support for members in both jurisdictions, from contract facilitation and regulatory guidance to cultural programming and talent exchange.
Unlike traditional chambers of commerce, the Hub takes a project-oriented approach: targeted business matching with pre-vetted partners, trilingual operational support through its Business Desk, sector-focused expert working groups, and cultural and sporting events designed with a direct business dimension. The Hub's founding team brings direct experience from Czechia's acclaimed participation at EXPO 2025, where the Czech Pavilion attracted significant attention from Japanese industry, government and media.
Founding membership now open
The Hub is currently welcoming founding members across all categories – from global corporations and SMEs to municipalities, universities and individual professionals. Organisations and individuals who join before 30 June 2026 receive membership valid through 31 December 2027, permanent Founding Member status, and priority access to the Hub's inaugural programme of business missions, expert platforms and cultural events.
The Hub plans to open a physical business centre in Ōsaka in 2027, with further locations in Tokyo and Prague to follow.
About Czech Japan Hub
Czech Japan Hub is a bilateral platform connecting Czech and Japanese business, innovation, culture and talent. Born from the Czech Republic's participation at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the Hub serves as a project-oriented bridge between both countries – providing business matching, market intelligence, regulatory support, cultural co-production and community for companies, regions and professionals operating across the Czech-Japanese corridor.