A trade mission from Scotland’s health technology sector is set to visit Japan next week to strengthen trade and innovation ties and promote Scottish expertise on the world stage.
Led by health secretary Neil Gray, the delegation will feature a host of forward-thinking health-tech firms highlighting Scotland’s strengths in digital health and life sciences at a series of events, including Japan Health 2025 in Osaka and a programme at the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025.
Among the firms taking part are iGii, a Stirling-based company working with advanced materials to create next-gen biosensors, Nami Surgical, a Glasgow University spinout developing miniaturised ultrasonic surgical scalpels for applications in robotic surgery, and Talking Mats, a social enterprise, also from Stirling, which has designed innovate tools to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties.
“We look forward to extending our partnership with SDM Japan; networking with peers in healthtech and forging wider connections at Expo and Japan Health,” said Margo Mackay, Talking Mats managing director.
“Talking Mats’ ambition is to grow our community internationally and supply innovative solutions to support our vision of accessible and inclusive communication for all.
“We see Asia as a key market for expansion.”
Also taking part in the trade mission are Konpanian, an Edinburgh-based human-centric robotics company, Wilkie, a textile technology firm headquartered in Angus, and Touchlab, based at Edinburgh’s National Robotarium, which is aiming to give robots the ‘power of human touch’ through artificial skin.
As part of the mission, the Scottish delegation will visit Canon Medical Systems Inc. in Tokyo – a key partner in Scotland’s growing medtech network – to explore opportunities for deeper technical cooperation.
The visit will also feature panel discussions and networking events at the British Embassy in Tokyo and the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025, with the aim of showcasing Scotland as a potential strategic partner in global health innovation.
The Scottish health secretary will also take the opportunity to meet with the Japanese Ministry of Health to discuss the shared challenges of caring for a growing ageing population, as well as chair a pitching session for new health-tech companies.
“Scotland has earned a strong international reputation for pioneering health technologies that improve outcomes and enhance care,” said Gray.
“This trade mission is an opportunity to demonstrate our strengths to new audiences, deepen our relationships with Japanese innovators and investors, and share how Scotland’s integrated approach to healthcare and innovation is delivering real-world benefits.
“By supporting Scotland’s healthcare innovation sector we can help to encourage the kind of technologies that will ultimately benefit patients in Scotland.
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The Scottish Government has increasingly been turning its eye to the Japanese market over the past year, having appointed Scotland’s first trade envoy to Japan last October to help find opportunities in the country’s energy, pharmaceuticals, med-tech and food sectors.
Following that appointment, the Government announced in April that eight Scottish games companies would take their products to Japan during a two-week visit focused on the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, where it was hoped they could meet potential new investors, customers and commercial contacts.
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