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
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.
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)
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 (TBA)
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 – “Understanding Risk, Acting Earlier: Building Resilience Together”
Short Presentation:
Dr. Teppei J. Yasunari, Senior Scientist, Weathernews Inc. (WNI Forecast Center & Research Initiative); Visiting Researcher (Faculty of Medicine,
Panel Discussion:
Ciro Borrelli, Head of Business Development, Weathernews
Dr George Papavasileiou, Atmospheric Scientist, National Observatory of Athens
Dimitris Kapnias, COO, Neuropublic
Alexander Arkhipov, Managing Director, JTI Foundation
Dimitris Kirmikiroglou, Secretary General for Communication and Media
Moderator: Maria Akrivou, Journalist/Senior Editor
12:00 – 13:00 DRIVE – Toyota: Mobility for All: Building Inclusive Cities Through Japanese Innovation
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 – 13:45 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, Interwater
Moderator: Mr. Filios Stangos, Journalist
16:40 – 17:25 Shamisen Music Performance by Kazama Mitsune Duo
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: The Takumi Way: 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: “From Weather Awareness to Climate Resilience: How can Europe prepare better for increasingly extreme weather?”
A Weathernews-led interview with:
Mr. Nikolaos Moisidis, Weathernews
Mr. Christos Gatidis, Weathernews
Guest: Mr. Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Member of the European Parliament
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
Ms. Elia Vlachou, Deputy Director – Head of Projects, Development & Networking ΜΙΕΤ (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.