What is the JMEC Programme?

The Japan Market Expansion Competition (JMEC) programme – supported by 18 Chambers of Commerce in Japan – is a unique and long-standing business training programme in Tokyo that centres around a business plan writing competition. This year will see the 31st edition.

JMEC Participants are full-time mid-career professionals who are looking to enhance their business skills. By joining the JMEC programme they receive comprehensive training in researching and developing a professional business plan. This ‘mini-MBA’ style programme includes classroom sessions led by experienced executives and successful entrepreneurs who serve as lecturers.

JMEC Participants also gain hands-on experience in writing a business plan for a real business project, submitted by a real company. It is through this process of ‘learning by doing’ that they gain experience they can use to advance their career and add further skills to their CV.

More information is on the dedicated JMEC Participants webpage.

Testimonials from IJCC Member Participants

"My team at JMEC was diverse with people from many different backgrounds (culturally and professionally) and our team had a mixture of nationalities. We even had a team member participate remotely from India! The project was related to the Japanese market which had our team spending time to understand the typical Japanese market which I thought was a new experience for young non-Japanese professionals. JMEC will introduce you to new tools that you can use and at the same time, you can learn about the Japanese market through your project.  You are also able to expand your professional network throughout the programme.  I recommend anyone who is looking for new opportunities to join JMEC."

-Harumi Kanaya, JMEC 30 Team 7

"Coming into the competition with only a beginner's knowledge of international enterprise in Japan, I never felt like I didn't fit in or couldn't contribute during the competition. The coursework gave me everything I needed to get myself up to speed, and when the time came to start work for our client I was able to apply my existing background along with my newly acquired knowledge to deliver a workable business plan. I could tell that my more experienced teammates were also learning a lot during the competition. 

No matter your level of experience or career stage, I would recommend participation in JMEC."

-Sam Keane, JMEC 30 Team 5 - Winner of 'Best Next Steps Award'

Special Offer & Scholarship for IJCC Members

As a special benefit for the supporting Chambers, the IJCC can send 1 member as a participant in the JMEC programme at the reduced fee of JPY 50,000 instead of the usual fee of JPY 150,000.

The IJCC also provides an annual scholarship of 100,000 JPY to IJCC members who are interested in joining the programme.

If you are interested in JMEC and are an IJCC member, please get in touch at secretariat [at] ijcc.jp to register your interest.

The discounted offer and scholarship will be divided up depending on the number of interested candidates. Should we receive multiple candidates of interest, the winners may be chosen based on merit by a member of our Executive Team. You must be a member of the IJCC to avail of the above offers.

JMEC Information Sessions

If you want to know more about JMEC, information sessions for prospective JMEC Participants will take place from 29 August till 9 October 2024.