As Japan and Canada deepen their economic ties amid shifting global dynamics, collaboration in innovation, trade, and sustainability is becoming increasingly central to the bilateral relationship. At the heart of this momentum is the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), which plays a pivotal role in fostering partnerships between the two nations. In this exclusive interview with Bridges Magazine, Yuichi Hatano, Executive Director of JETRO Toronto, shares his insights on the evolving Japan-Canada relationship, JETRO’s role in accelerating two-way investment and innovation, and the promising sectors set to define the future of bilateral cooperation.
Bridges: In light of global uncertainty and rapidly evolving economic dynamics, how does JETRO view the importance of strengthening Japan-Canada bilateral relations, particularly in terms of trade, innovation, and long-term economic resilience?
Yuichi Hatano: JETRO has been actively promoting closer ties between Japan and Canada even before the recent changing global trade and investment landscape. In particular, we have been supporting large Japanese companies to partner with innovative Canadian start-ups and, in turn, assisting Canadian start-ups to bring their innovation to the Japanese market. I think Japan and Canada have great synergies to cooperate on innovation which will help both countries.
Recently, we have seen increasing ties between Japan and Canada at all levels and these existing ties can be even more important going forward as Japan and Canada remain trusted partners. Beyond innovation, Canadian and Japanese companies can also utilize the CP-TPP to explore even more trade and investment opportunities between our two countries.
JETRO has been actively promoting closer ties between Japan and Canada even before the recent changing global trade and investment landscape.
Yuichi Hatano, Executive Director of JETRO Toronto
How has JETRO’s presence and role in Canada evolved over the years? Have any recent milestones or new initiatives emerged in response to today’s shifting global business landscape?
Over the past few years, JETRO has focused on two main areas in Canada. Firstly, to promote innovation collaboration between Japan and Canada and, secondly, to promote Japanese products including food and beverage offerings in Canada. Going forward, we also want to support more Japanese start-ups to see Canada as a landing spot as they scale globally.
One milestone I could highlight is that the DMZ, one of Canada’s leading incubators, recently set up DMZ Japan with our support. Although we have assisted other famous ecosystem players around the world to enter the Japanese market, it is the first Canadian incubator to do so. I believe the DMZ can be a focal point for more Canadian start-ups to go to Japan and Japanese start-ups to come to Canada.
How does JETRO Canada support Japanese companies expanding or establishing operations in Canada, as well as Canadian companies looking to enter the Japanese market? What are some of the key services or resources that help companies navigate cross-border challenges?
For Japanese companies coming to Canada, we can offer specific services such as access to legal consultation as well as provide information on Canada and advice specific to their needs. We also have a great network of Canadian partners who focus on FDI attraction so that we can refer Japanese companies to them to get further support across Canada. For Japanese start-ups, we have partnerships with leading Canadian incubators, including the DMZ, who can offer mentoring, desk space and other support.
From supporting startups and fostering innovation to facilitating trade in emerging sectors like cleantech and digital transformation, JETRO’s work reflects a forward-looking vision for bilateral cooperation.
For Canadian innovative companies, we can offer support in two main areas. Firstly, we have a whole suite of free services to help them set up a physical presence in Japan including free office space, expert advice on legal, tax and other matters, and we strive to provide information and advice on whatever companies need to complete the establishment of their operations in Japan. Secondly, for those Canadian companies not ready to move to Japan, we offer various tools and partnering events to facilitate innovative collaboration projects with large Japanese companies. These partnerships may lead to further engagement of Canadian start-ups in the Japanese market and eventually the need for a physical presence there in the future.
Looking ahead, which industries or sectors do you see as best positioned to benefit from deeper economic cooperation between Japan and Canada?
For the Japanese market, we are focused on bringing new innovation that can help Japanese society and Japanese industry to solve issues they are having. It can be in any sector but a main focus for us is healthcare, cleantech and digital transformation, which includes advanced technologies such as AI, IoT and Quantum.
For the Canadian market, I think major Japanese companies can bring their industrial and manufacturing know-how to co-develop new technologies in fields that will benefit Canada such as EV manufacturing, rare earth mining and energy, including developments in hydrogen as well as traditional oil and gas. Japanese start-ups can also bring the solutions they have already developed for the Japanese market and adapt them to the Canadian market, for example in the fields of robotics or agetech.
As Japan and Canada continue to navigate a rapidly evolving global economy, organizations like JETRO play a crucial role in translating shared values into actionable partnerships. From supporting startups and fostering innovation to facilitating trade in emerging sectors like cleantech and digital transformation, JETRO’s work reflects a forward-looking vision for bilateral cooperation. As Hatano affirms, the growing ties between Japan and Canada are not only about economic opportunity—they are about building resilient, future-ready societies together.
