160 Years of Belgium – Japan Friendship Celebrated at Made in Asia!

A unique immersive Japanese experience over three days!

February 23, 2026

Ambassador Takeshi Osuga, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Belgium / Hatsume Nagai, Executive Director, Paris Office, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

Brussels – To celebrate the 160th anniversary of friendship between Japan and Belgium, Japan will be in the spotlight at Made in Asia, from 27 to 28 February and 1 March at Brussels Expo. This is a unique opportunity to discover the richness and beauty of Japanese culture.

The Embassy of Japan in Belgium and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), in partnership with the Japanese airlines JAL and ANA and travel agencies such as Amazing Tours and BCT-Touristik, will be present in the Japan Crossroads area, ready to welcome visitors and provide information on travel, regional attractions, and unique cultural experiences to enjoy in Japan.

“This year, 2026, marks the 160th Anniversary of friendship between Japan and Belgium. This milestone offers an excellent opportunity to further strengthen the ties between our two countries. Participating in Made in Asia as Team Japan is a wonderful way to share the appeal of Japan with a wide audience. I sincerely hope that many visitors will stop by our booth and be inspired to explore Japan.“ said Ambassador Osuga - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Belgium.

“We are delighted to join Made in Asia Spring 2026 for the first time as we celebrate the 160th anniversary of friendship between Japan and Belgium. Travel from Belgium to Japan continues to rise, with over 60,000 visitors recorded from January to November 2025—a 37% increase from the previous year. At our booth, we will share tourism information from regions across Japan to help visitors discover even more of the country. Anyone interested in traveling to Japan is warmly invited to stop by.“ said Hatsume Nagai, Executive Director, Paris Office, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).

Dive into the Heart of Japan

In addition to this collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) in Belgium, Made in Asia will celebrate the Land of the Rising Sun over the three days with an immersive Japanese experience! Visitors will be able to:

Try Japanese calligraphy
Paint their own lantern with black ink watercolor
Learn to draw a manga page
Take part in origami workshops
Discover traditional Japanese board games
And enjoy many other surprises spread throughout the festival.

Made in Asia is set to welcome between 60,000 and 75,000 visitors for an edition that will offer an authentic journey into Japanese culture, suitable for all ages and families.

Bonus: free entry for children under 11 years old.

Infos and tickets : www.madeinasia.be/en