The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau in Japan is upping its support for meetings and event organisers and actively promoting a variety of support services in collaboration with Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and the business community.
A new announcement from the Osaka International Conference Grant Executive Committee has established a new grant programme for international conferences.
The ‘Osaka International Conference Grant’ is designed to encourage more international conferences to be held in Osaka Prefecture, particularly in areas where Osaka has a strong advantage, and to contribute to the creation of innovation and the strengthening of industrial competitiveness the city authorities said.
The initiative comes as Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau and city stakeholders continue to promote the hosting of international conferences within Osaka Prefecture, with an eye on the opening of the Integrated Resort (IR) in 2030 and building upon the success of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo to the next stage.
Projects eligible for grants under the Osaka International Conference Grant programme include subsidies to organisers hosting a qualifying international conference and whose venue has yet to be decided. The grant can cover portion of the costs related to attracting and hosting an international conference. To qualify, the event must be held in the period 1 April, 2026 to 31 March, 2033 and last for three days or more. The conference must also have 50 or more participants on-site (including 20 or more foreign participants residing overseas), with delegates coming form at least three or more countries, including Japan.
Other stipulations include the venue needing to be a facility in Osaka Prefecture, while priority will be given to conferences with topics in the fields of Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Environment and Energy, International Financial City, Sports, Food Culture and Entertainment.
The idea is that qualifying events contribute to the creation of innovation and the strengthening of industrial competitiveness in Osaka.
Other conditions include an event not getting other subsidies from the national or local government or authorities. Qualifying events must also be held in rotation in three or more countries/regions.
For further details and application procedures, please check the website of the Osaka International Conference Grant Executive Committee.
