Honored Country Special Events

Honored Country Special Events

Pavilion 13

Japan, the Honored Country, celebrating the spirit of #TAKUMI, rooted in wisdom, determination, and compassion, has prepared, alongside its exhibition featuring prominent Japanese corporate brands, a rich week-long program of events encompassing business, arts, gastronomy, and educational activities.

Weekly Events Program (draft 11.8.2026)

Saturday, September 5 – Opening Day

11:00–12:00

Opening reception for exhibitors, organized by the Greece–Japan Business Association and the Embassy of Japan (invitation only)

11:50–12:00

Taiko (Japanese drums) performance by Taikoist Takuya

12:00–12:30

Booth Opening Ceremony

13:00–13:15

Taiko performance by Taikoist Takuya

13:15–13:40

Presentation of the Booth’s Theme and Zones – Exhibitor Presentations

14:00–14:40

DRIVE – Open Interview

  • Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy 
  • Mr. Yasuyoshi Karasawa, President of the Japan–Greece Society, Senior Advisor, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd., former Chairman of the Board, MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. 
  • Journalist from Kaiji Press (TBC) 

15:00–15:40

WISDOM – Pharmaceutical Policy Discussion

“Defining Success Before Reform: Rethinking Health Policy in Greece”

  • Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Health (TBC) 
  • Ms. Pavlina Karasiotou, Secretary General for Fiscal Policy, Ministry of National Economy and Finance 
  • Ms. Thomais Konstantopoulou, Country Manager, Daiichi Sankyo Greece 
  • Mr. Dimitris Papageorgiou, General Manager, Greece, Malta & Cyprus, Takeda Hellas S.A. 
  • Ms. Angela Nikoli, Market Access & Government Affairs Country Lead, Astellas Pharmaceuticals S.A. 
  • Ms. Niki Liberaki, Journalist 

16:00–17:15

DRIVE – Automotive Industry Discussion

  • Mr. Hermann Riedl, President and CEO, Toyota Hellas 
  • Mr. Dimitris Kavouris, Deputy CEO, Syngelidis Group – Autoone S.A. 
  • Mr. Takis Theoharakis, President and CEO, Nik. I. Theoharakis S.A. 
  • Mr. Giannis Emirzas, Chief Commercial Officer, Saracakis Group 
  • Representative of Petropoulos 
  • Mr. Vangelis Kioussis, Journalist 

17:35–18:25

WISDOM – Discussion: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation

  • Ms. Elena Drecheva, Managing Director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Greece 
  • Dr. Jorge Loureiro, CEO, Moro Technology Cooperation 
  • Mr. Marcus Waldmann, Head of IT Strategy & Innovation / AI Strategy & Adoption, Fujifilm Europe 
  • Moderator (TBC) 

Sunday, September 6 – For a Sustainable Future

10:30–11:40

COMPASSION – Early Warning and Preparedness for Natural Disasters (TBC)

  • Dr. Teppei Yasunari, Senior Scientist, Weathernews Inc. and Professor at Hokkaido University 
  • Representative of JTI 

12:00–13:00

DRIVE – Toyota: Mobility for All

  • Japanese Delegation 
  • Mr. Stelios Malakopoulos, Track and Field Athlete 

13:30–14:00

Shamisen concert by the Kazama Mitsune Duo

14:00–14:20

Master Chef: Mr. Sotiris Kontizas – A Culinary Journey

14:30–15:00

Tourism in Japan – How to Discover Your Own TAKUMI Journey

15:30–16:20

COMPASSION – Sustainability Discussion

16:40–17:25

Event by the Hellenic-Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TBC)

17:45–18:30

MEXT Alumni: “Studying in Japan: New Opportunities through the MEXT Scholarship”

19:00–19:30

Taiko (Japanese drums) performance by Taikoist Takuya

20:00–20:30

Shamisen concert by the Kazama Mitsune Duo

Monday, September 7 – Education

18:00–18:30

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki:

“Connecting Minds: The AUTh–Japanese Universities Partnership for the Future”

  • Professor Iakovos Michailidis, Vice Rector for International Relations, Extroversion, Lifelong Learning and Student Affairs 

19:00–20:00

Trial Japanese Language Lesson – Katakana Writing

  • Ms. Elena Aloupogianni 
  • Ms. Dina Anastasiadou 

Tuesday, September 8 – Maritime Connections

18:00–18:30

SWY Alumni:

“Youth as Cultural Ambassadors: Lessons from the Ship for World Youth”

19:00–20:00

Trial Japanese Language Lesson – Everyday Greetings

  • Ms. Elena Aloupogianni 
  • Ms. Dina Anastasiadou 

Wednesday, September 9 – Pop Culture: Anime & Manga

18:30–19:00

Mangatellers:

“The Art and Industry of Manga and Anime in the International Market”

  • Mr. Karyofyllis-Christos Chatzopoulos 
  • Mr. Raphael Voutsididis 

19:00–20:00

Cosplay Parade

20:00–21:00

Otaku Party with DJ and anime songs by Otaku Store

 

Thursday, September 10 – Sports

18:30–19:00

Hellenic Karate Federation, Hellenic Kendo-Iaido-Naginata Federation: Presentation/Demonstration: “Takumi and Budō: A Timeless Connection”

20:00–21:00

Signing Ceremony of a Memorandum of Cooperation by the Judo Federation

Friday, September 11 – Business Mindset

16:30–17:00

Presentation:

“The Power of Less: Lessons from Japan for High Performance”

  • Ms. Andriana Ubunuki Kalfa 

Saturday, September 12 – The Path of TAKUMI

11:30–12:30

WISDOM – Sysmex

“Japanese Excellence and Strategic Growth in Modern Diagnostics”

  • Mr. Yuki Hyogu 
  • Mr. Kohei Nakayama 
  • Ms. Fotini Kafladopoulou 

13:00–15:00

Japanese Calligraphy Demonstration
(Gifts from Mizuki Imamura at the Consulate’s booth)

15:30–16:30

WISDOM – Weathernews

17:00–18:00

Presentation: 21 PROJECTIONS OF EGO

Artist’s book “DREAMEATER” / An act of cultural mediation and interpretation

Panel Discussion:

  • Mr. Takaaki Nemoto, Advisor and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Greece 
  • Mr. Kostas Kostis, Director, National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation (MIET) 
  • Ms. Stella L. L. L. (as provided), Professor of Ancient Civilizations / Dean of the School of Fine Arts, Department of Visual and Applied Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 
  • Mr. Panagiotis Evangelidis, Writer / Translator of Japanese Literature / Director and Screenwriter 

Panel Moderators:

  • Mr. Dimitrios Goudas, Curator / Founder of GALLERY13 and Cultural_Space NPO 
  • Mr. Ioannis Belimpasakis, Assistant Professor / Head of the Printmaking and Visual Arts Publications Laboratory, School of Fine Arts – Department of Visual and Applied Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 

19:30–20:30

Traditional Japanese Dance by Ms. Chihoko Yanagi

Sunday, September 13 – The Path of TAKUMI

11:30–12:30

COMPASSION – DAIKIN

“Designing the Home of Tomorrow: Integrated Cooling, Heating and Hot Water Solutions Driven by Innovation and Sustainability”

  • Mr. Thanasis Kalomoiris 

13:00–13:30

Kimono Presentation by Ms. Chihoko Yanagi

14:00–14:30

Calligraphy Demonstration

(Gifts from Mizuki Imamura at the Consulate’s booth)

17:00–17:30

Hellenic Bonsai Association

“Bonsai: Where Nature Meets TAKUMI Craftsmanship”

18:00–18:30

Thessaloniki International Film Festival:

“Cultural Exchange in the Spotlight: Japanese Cinema at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival”

  • Mr. Panos Achtsioglou 
  • Mr. Takaaki Nemoto (TBC) 

20:30–21:00

Traditional Japanese Dance by Ms. Chihoko Yanagi

21:00–22:00

Closing Ceremony

Visitor Information

Venue: Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Centre – Pavilion 13

E-mail: emb-japan@at.mofa.go.jp

Website: Embassy of Japan in Greece

Social Media: @japan_in_greece
Hashtags: #tif2026_japan #takumi #japan_in_greece

Japan celebrates the spirit of TAKUMI through culture, innovation, and community, welcoming all visitors to the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair.

 

Events