The choice of Japan as the honored country in this year’s Thessaloniki International Fair brings the Land of the Rising Sun closer to Greece, with the Greeks always valuing trade relations with Japan.
Greek drivers have long preferred Japanese cars, considering them to be the most reliable; its vehicles account for over 57% of the total value of Greece’s imports from Japan. Meanwhile, the placement of Greek products on the Japanese market is considered a particularly important achievement, not only because Japan is very far away, but mainly because the Japanese public is demanding.
The presence of Japan as an honored country for the first time at the Thessaloniki International Fair is inspired by the Takumi philosophy, which in Japanese means “craftsman” or “master.” Takumi does not simply describe the practice of a profession, but the timeless dedication to perfecting an art with an emphasis on craftsmanship, precision, detail and human-centered design. This philosophy is a foundation of Japanese culture, recognized internationally as a model of quality and excellence.
Despite the Greeks’ long-standing preference for Japanese technology and the more recent love for sushi, trade and investment relations between the two countries remain at relatively low levels. According to provisional Hellenic Statistical Authority data, Greek exports to Japan amounted to €318.20 million in 2025 compared to €224.37 million in 2024, while the value of imports of Japanese products into Greece tallied €279.36 million in 2025 from €306.18 million in 2024.
