What Is JMEC? Find Out at Its Nagoya Meetup
If you're working in Japan and ready to get serious about business, you might be interested in the Japan Market Expansion Competition. JMEC is a competitive English-language business training program supported by 18 foreign chambers of commerce in Japan.
It has two aims: fostering the development of new foreign business in the Japanese market and strengthening the skills of up-and-coming executives. As a participant, you're placed on a team and write a real business plan for a real company looking to enter or expand in Japan.
JMEC has been running for over 30 years and is built for mid-career professionals. It starts with a Saturday lecture series on business plan writing and how business works in Japan, led by senior executives and startup founders.
From there, teams of four to six people spend four to five months researching, writing, and delivering that plan for their client company. Teams present to a panel of judges in May, and winners are announced at an awards ceremony in June.
The program typically draws 50 to 65 participants per cycle — roughly half Japanese, half non-Japanese, with an average age in the mid-30s and around 15 to 20 nationalities represented. The whole thing runs about seven months and costs ¥150,000, with applications for the next cycle open now through October 31 and the program starting November 14.
The meetup on June 21 is a good place to ask the practical question Nagoya participants will care about most — can you do this program without being in Tokyo? JMEC alumni are holding their first gathering in Nagoya at Imaike Library Club in Chikusa-ku. It's open to anyone. You don't need any connection to the program to show up — just bring your questions (and ¥500!)
The Imaike Library Club is a community-run English library worth knowing about on its own. Members get 24-hour access with their own passcode, and the space hosts events, study groups, and workshops throughout the year. The meetup runs from 15:00 to 18:00, costs ¥500, and you can bring your own drinks. Pizza is arranged on arrival.
The Details
JMEC Chubu Networking Meet-Up
Venue:
Imaike Library Club
Date:
Sun, June 21, 2026
Time:
15:00–18:00
Price:
¥500 per person
Food and drinks not included.
BYO drinks welcome.
Pizza orders arranged on arrival.
Open to:
JMEC alumni, friends of JMEC, and anyone interested in learning more about the program.
Address:
14-13 Honen-cho
Chikusa-ku, Nagoya
Websites:
JMEC Website
Imaike Library Club
Access
By Subway / Train:
Nagoya Subway Higashiyama Line / Sakura-dori Line — Imaike Station (H13 / S08).
Use Exit 1 and walk north toward Honen-cho. Continue past the Imaike Station area toward Miyako-dori / Honen-cho. Imaike Library Club is in the Clean Building at 14-13 Honen-cho, about 10 minutes on foot.
Nagoya Subway Higashiyama Line — Chikusa Station (H12) / JR Chuo Line — Chikusa Station.
Use the station exit on the Imaike / Uchiyama side, then walk east-northeast toward Honen-cho. The venue is about 12 minutes on foot.
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Further Reading
Nagoya Buzz
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