Israel Ministry of Defense Holds Professional Seminar on the Japanese Defense Market for Israeli Defense Industries

The International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) within the Israel Ministry of Defense held a professional seminar on the opportunities and practical tools for doing business in the Japanese defense market. The seminar was led by the Head of SIBAT, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, with the participation of the Director of the Political Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Israeli Ambassador to Japan, Gilad Cohen. Participants included representatives of Japanese trading houses and manufacturers, along with some 70 Israeli companies.

The program featured a range of lectures alongside practical sessions on translating Israeli defense tech into deals in the Japanese market, as well as an overview of differences in business culture. Networking and B2B meetings were held in parallel between representatives of the Israeli companies and Japanese counterparts from the innovation, trade, and investment sectors, aimed at exploring concrete opportunities for cooperation.

The seminar also introduced BRIDGE, a new program offering business mentorship and guidance to defense companies entering the Japanese market. Run in partnership with a professional body and lasting approximately three months, the program is designed for a limited number of companies in each cycle. Participants will receive close, one-on-one mentoring from Japanese industry professionals and will develop a business plan for the Japanese market, concluding with a showcase event in Japan and face-to-face business meetings.

These initiatives join the broader efforts led by the Ministry of Defense to expand and diversify the range of markets open to the Israeli defense industry, as part of its strategy to grow defense exports as a means of strengthening IDF force build-up, advancing Israel’s foreign policy, and reinforcing national industry and the economy.