Welcoming Global Innovators to Sapporo

From April 28, we had the great pleasure of welcoming Korea’s leading digital twin technology company, to Sapporo Transnational Expansion and Partnership (STEP) in Sapporo. We were honored to host their representatives including the CEO, who brought not only cutting-edge technology but also a strong spirit of collaboration that deeply inspired us.

It is always a pleasure to finally meet in person the international partners we have previously engaged with online. During their stay, we arranged as many meetings as possible with potential business partners, and we were delighted to see several productive and meaningful discussions take place over just a few days.

As is often the case when speaking with globally active leaders, the conversations extended beyond business. We exchanged perspectives on shared societal trends, work-life balance, and cultural shifts across Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. One notable topic was the changing lifestyle of younger generations in all three regions—many are drinking less alcohol and choosing to spend more time with family and friends rather than attending work-related gatherings. This reflects a clear shift away from the traditional “nomi-nication” culture once common in Japan.

Turning back to their technology, their digital twin solutions demonstrated strong potential across a wide range of fields, including tourism, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure. It was highly encouraging to witness the positive response from Japanese companies, with lively discussions and genuine interest in future collaboration.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the representavives of our local company network, and the City of Sapporo for fostering such open and constructive dialogue.

From Sapporo to Hokkaido, Japan, and beyond, Sapporo Transnational Expansion and Partnership (STEP) remains committed to building bridges and expanding global partnerships. We are here to support your next step.