Subsidies range from ¥250,000 to ¥10 mln, to cover venue usage, equipment and construction costs Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/SeanPavonePhoto
Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau has announced a number of subsidies available for meetings and events that align with the themes of Expo 2025, which is being held in the city from 13 April for six months.
Conventions being held at any point between 1 April 2025 and 31 December 2025 can apply for the scheme, which is designed to help organisers cover a portion of the running costs for international conventions, such as venue usage, equipment, and construction costs.
Transportation expenses and accommodation fees are applicable only in cases where expenses are borne by the organiser for bringing decision makers to Osaka in order to inspect venues, after applying for this subsidy, but before the host destination has been decided. This is only applicable if Osaka is eventually decided as the host destination, and actually hosts the event.
Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau said: “Our aim is to maximise the impact and legacy of Expo 2025, and through this subsidy system encourage more meeting planners to choose Osaka as their next event destination.”
“Our aim is to maximise the impact and legacy of Expo 2025, and through this subsidy system encourage more meeting planners to choose Osaka as their next event destination.”
Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
What’s the criteria?
There are a number of criteria to meet before applying, falling under ‘Tier 1’ and ‘Tier 2’.
For Tier 1 applications, international conventions must be held within Osaka prefecture for at least two days and have a total of 50 or more participants. Conventions must be represented by three or more countries including Japan and must not have already selected Osaka as the host destination at the time of application.
Conventions could be affiliated with any of the following industries or themes: Osaka’s primary industries, such as life sciences, craftsmanship, environment and energy, international finance, sports, gastronomy or entertainment; the overarching theme of Expo 2025, which is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” or with one of the themes presented by the Expo 2025 Theme Weeks.
Conventions will also be eligible if they promote sustainability in the form of each of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or feature any other industry or theme that promotes innovation and industrial competitiveness within Osaka.
An increased amount of subsidy is available for ‘Tier 2’ applications, those conventions that meet all of the above criteria, which are organised by an international entity and which rotate between at least three different countries (including conventions that have been held in at least two different countries in the past).
AloJapan.com