Thessaloniki International Fair 2026 at Japan Pavilion Main Stage Programme (as of 31 August)

Celebrating the #TAKUMI spirit founded upon Wisdom, Drive and Compassion @TIF2026_Japan

Dates: 5-13 September 2026
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm on weekends, 4pm – 10pm on weekdays
Venue: Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, Pavilion 13

Welcome

Join us for a week-long celebration of the bilateral relationship between Greece and Japan, featuring a vibrant programme of industrial exhibitions, music, food, education, and cultural performances.

Programme Schedule

Day 1 (Saturday, 5 September) – Opening Day

Theme: Welcome & Celebration of Bilateral Economic Ties

11:00-12:00 Exhibitors’ Networking Reception organized by Greece-Japan Business Group and the Embassy of Japan (by invitation only)

11:50 – 12:00 Taiko (Japanese drums) Performance by Taikoist Takuya

12:00 – 12:30 Pavilion Opening Ceremony (by invitation only

13:00 – 13:15 Taiko Performance by Taikoist Takuya 13:15 – 13:40 Introduction of Pavilion Theme, Zones and Exhibitors

14:00 – 14:30 DRIVE - Open interview

• Mr. Masahiro Komura, Deputy Director-General, International Bureau, Liberal Democratic Party/ Member, House of Representatives
• H.E. Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Maritime and Insular Policy, Hellenic Republic
• Mr. Yasuyoshi Karasawa, President of Japan-Greece Society, Senior Advisor, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd., Former Chairman of Board of Directors of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.
• Journalist from ERT (TBC)

14:50 – 15:40 WISDOM - Pharmaceutical Panel Discussion: “Defining Success Before Reform: Reimagining Health Policy in Greece”

• Opening remarks: Mr. Kazuhiro Fujii, Deputy Director-General, International Bureau, Liberal Democratic Party/ Senator, Senate
• Mr. Aris Angelis, Chair, HTA Committee, Ministry of Health Advisor
• Ms. Pavlina Karasiotou, Secretary General for Fiscal Policy, Ministry of Finance, Hellenic Republic
• Ms. Thomais Konstantopoulou, Country Manager, Daiichi Sankyo Greece
• Mr. Dimitris Papageorgiou, Country Manager, Greece, Cyprus and Malta, Takeda Hellas S.A.
• Ms. Angela Nikoli, Market Access and Government Affairs Country Lead, Astellas Pharmaceuticals A.E.B.E.
• Moderator: Ms. Niki Lymperaki, Journalist

16:00 – 17:15 DRIVE - Automobile Industry Panel Discussion: “Mobility 2035: Japan–Europe Alliances for a Carbon-Neutral Automotive Industry"

• Opening remarks: H.E. Minoru Kiuchi, Minister in Charge of Japan’s Growth Strategy
• Mr. Hermann Riedl, President and Managing Director, Toyota Hellas
• Mr. Dimitris Kavvouris, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Syngelidis Automotive Companies
• Mr. Takis Theocarakis, President & Managing Director of Nic. J. Theocarakis S.A.
• Mr. Yannis Emirzas, Chief Commercial Officer, Saracakis Group of Companies
• Petros Petropoulos Representative (TBC)
• Greek Government Representative (TBD)
• Moderator: Mr. Evangelos K. Kioussis, Journalist, TO VIMA Newspaper 17:35 – 18:25 WISDOM - Panel Discussion: “The Digital Takumi: How Business Leaders Scale AI to Create Impact”
• Opening remarks: Mr. Shin Tsuchida, Deputy Director-General, International Bureau, Liberal Democratic Party/ Member, House of Representatives
• Ms. Elena Drecheva, Managing Director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Bulgaria & Greece
• Mr. Jorge Loureiro, CEO, Moro Technology Corporation Europe
• Mr. Marcus Waldmann, Head of IT Strategy & Innovation, FUJIFILM Europe GmbH
• Moderator: Mr. Vasilis Papakonstantinou, Partner, Blue Dome Capital & Vice Chairman, StartSmart SEE

Day 2 (Sunday, 6 September)– For the Sustainable Future

10:30 – 11:40 COMPASSION - Disaster Early Warning and Preparedness (TBC)

• Dr. Teppei J. Yasunari, Senior Scientist, Weathernews Inc. (WNI Forecast Center & Research Initiative); Visiting Researcher (Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University)
• JTI Representative

12:00 – 13:00 DRIVE – Toyota: Mobility for All

• Stelios Malakopoulos, Paralympian and World Record Holder in Long Jump (T62 category)
• Eleni Xenaki, Editorial Director, 4TROXOI and Kathimerini
• CERTH Representative (TBA)
• A representative from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and/or the Municipality of Thessaloniki
• Moderator: Iliana Magra, Journalist, Kathimerini

13:30 – 14:00 Shamisen Music Performance by Kazama Mitsune Duo

14:00-14:20 Master Chef: Culinary Journey by Mr. Sotiris Kontizas

14:30-15:00 Tourism of Japan – How to Find your TAKUMI Journey

15:30-16:20 COMPASSION – Panel Discussion: “From Innovation to Impact: Building a Sustainable World”

• Mr. Panos Chimarios, Head of Marketing, Daikin Hellas
• Mr. Alexandros Kallidopoulos, Head of Research & Innovation, EFTHYMIADIS AGROTECHNOLOGIES
• Mr. Antonios Nikolaou, Export Area Sales Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V.
• Mr. Theodoros Moschovakis, Export & Business Development Manager, Interwater S.M.P.C
• Moderator: Mr. Filios Stangos, Journalist

16:40 – 17:25 Greece-Japan Business Group Event (TBC)

17:45 – 18:30 MEXT Alumni: “Study in Japan: Unlocking Opportunities through MEXT”

• Ms. Klio Katsoridi, President of MEXT Alumni

19:00 – 19:30 Taiko Performance by Taikoist Takuya

20:00 – 20:30 Shamisen Music Performance by Kazama Mitsune Duo

Day 3 (Monday, 7 September) – Education

16:30 - 17:00 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: “Connecting Minds: AUTH-Japan University Partnership for the Future”

• Prof. Iakovos Michailidis, Vice Rector of International Relations, Outreach, Lifelong Learning & Student Care

19:00 – 20:00 Japanese Language Trial Lesson – Katakana Writing

• Ms. Elena Aloupogianni
• Ms. Dina Anastasiadou
• Ms. Christina Anagnostopoulou

Day 4 (Tuesday, 8 September) – Maritime Ties

16:00 – 16:30 SWY Alumni: “Youth as Cultural Ambassadors: Lessons from Ship for World Youth”

19:00 – 20:00 Japanese Language Trial Lesson – Everyday Greetings

• Ms. Elena Aloupogianni
• Ms. Dina Anastasiadou
• Ms. Christina Anagnostopoulou

Day 5 (Wednesday, 9 September)– Pop Culture: Anime and Manga

18:30 – 19:00 Mangatellers: “The Art and Industry of Manga and Anime in the Global Market”

• Mr. Kariofyllis-Christos Chatzopoulos
• Mr. Raphael Voutsidis

19:00 – 20:00 Cosplay Parade

20:00 – 21:00 Otaku Store: Otaku Party with Anime Songs DJ

Day 6 (Thursday, 10 September) – Sports

16:30 – 17:00 Pontic Cultural Association of Kalamaria: Presentation: “From Pontus to Japan: A Cultural Dialogue Through Music and Tradition”

17:30 – 18:00 Hellenic Sumo Federation: Presentation: “From Ancient Ritual to Global Sport”

18:30 – 19:00 Hellenic Karate Federation, Hellenic Kendo-Iaido-Naginata Federation: Presentation/Demonstration: “Takumi and Budō: A Timeless Bond”

Day 7 (Friday, 11 September) – Business Mindset

16:30 – 17:00 “Takumi: Leadership Insights from a Japanese Mindset”

• Ms. Andriana Ubunuki Kalfa

Day 8 (Saturday, 12 September) – TAKUMI Way

11:30 – 12:30 WISDOM – Sysmex: Japanese Excellence and Strategic Growth in Modern Diagnostics

• Japanese Excellence in Diagnostics: The Takumi Philosophy in Healthcare Technology by Mr. Yuki Hyogu, Senior Executive Officer Sysmex EMEA, Sysmex Europe
• Driving Market Growth Through Direct Investment: Sysmex’s Framework for Geographic Expansion by Mr. Kohei Nakayama, Director, Head of EMEA Project Management Office and M&A, Sysmex Europe
• Moderator: Ms. Foteini Kafladopoulou, BU Marketing Manager Diagnostics, Sysmex Greece

13:00 – 15:00 Calligraphy Demonstration (Gifts by Mizuki Imamura @Consulate Booth)

15:30 – 16:30 WISDOM – Weathernews

17:00 – 18:00 Presentation: 21 PROJECTIONS

OF EGO Artist Book “DREAMEATER” / An Act of Cultural Mediation and Interpretation Panel:

• Mr. Takaaki Nemoto, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Greece
• Mr. Kostas Kostis, Director of MIET (National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation)
• Ms. Stella Lavva, Professor of the History of Ancient Civilizations / Dean of the School of Fine Arts, Department of Visual and Applied Arts, AUTH
• Mr. Panagiotis Evangelidis, Writer / Translator of Japanese Literature / Film Director and Screenwriter

Panel Coordination:

• Mr. Dimitrios Goudas, Curator / Founder of GALLERY13 and Cultural_Space NPO
• Mr. Ioannis Belimpasakis, Assistant Professor / Head of the Printmaking and Visual Editions Studio, School of Fine Arts – Department of Visual and Applied Arts, AUTH

19:30 – 20:30 Japanese Traditional Dance by Ms. Chihoko Yanagi

Day 9 (Sunday, 13 September) – TAKUMI Way

11:30 – 12:30 COMPASSION – DAIKIN: “Designing the Home of Tomorrow: Integrated Cooling, Heating, and Hot Water Solutions Powered by Innovation and

Sustainability.”

• Mr. Konstantinos Moulianitakis, DX Product Responsible, Daikin Hellas

13:00 – 13:30 Kimono Presentation by Ms. Yanagi Chihoco

14:00-14:30 Calligraphy Demonstration (followed by Gifts by Mizuki Imamura @Consulate booth)

17:00 – 17:30 Hellenic Bonsai Club: Presentation/ Discussion: Bonsai: Where Nature Meets Takumi Craftsmanship

18:00 – 18:30 TIIF: “Cultural Exchange in Focus:

Japanese Cinema at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival”

• Mr. Panos Achtsioglou, Annual Activity
  Programmer / Cinematheque, Thessaloniki International Film Festival
• Mr. Takaaki Nemoto (TBD)

20:30 – 21:00 Japanese Traditional Dance by Ms. Chihoko Yanagi

21:00 – 22:00 Closing Ceremony

Throughout the Week

• Industrial Exhibitions by the following companies:

Astellas Pharmaceuticals A.E.B.E.

Daiichi Sankyo Greece Single Member S.A. Daikin Greece S.A.

Fujifilm Hellas S.A.

H.I.S. Dream Travel Business Group Ltd Interwater S.M.P.C (Toray)

JTI Hellas

EFTHYMIADIS AGROTECHNOLOGIES

HADO (in Pavilion 16)

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Greece S.A. Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V.

Moro Technology Corporation (MTC)

Nic. J. Theocarakis S.A. (Nissan / Suzuki Marine) Otaku Store

Petros Petropoulos Group (ISUZU) Saracakis Group of Companies (Honda) Syngelidis Group – Autoone S.A. (Mazda) Takeda Hellas S.A.

Toyota Hellas (Toyota / Lexus) Weathernews Inc.

Honorary Consulate of Japan in Thessaloniki – ABC Construction

Japan Greece Society in Tokyo – MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. Japan National Tourism Organization

• Photography display
• Food stalls
• Information stands

Visitor Information

Venue: Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre Pavilion 13

Contact: emb-japan@at.mofa.go.jp

Website: https://www.gr.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_el/index.html

Social Media: @japan_in_greece #tif2026_japan #takumi #japan_in_greece

We look forward to celebrating TAKUMI with you through our culture, innovation, and community spirit.