Toward Continued Exchange and Business Collaboration Between Japan and Azerbaijan Both Sides Begin Establishing New Framework for Promotion JAZPA to Officially Launch in Japan on August 7

THE JAPAN ESSENCE GLOBAL EXPO 2026 (hereinafter “JEG 2026”)The Executive Committee and uA Co., Ltd. plan to formally launch JAZPA (Japan-Azerbaijan Partnership Association /Japan-Azerbaijan Exchange Promotion Association), headed by Saishi Usukura, on Friday, August 7, 2026, as a private-sector partnership platform to continuously connect the cultures, industries, and businesses of Japan and Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, on the Azerbaijani side, preparations are underway to establish the JABIC(Japan-Azerbaijan Business and Investment Council).

The establishment of JABIC is expected to take approximately three months, and the group aims to officially launch in time for JEG 2026, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in October 2026.

Photo: Saishi Usukura (left) and Jamid Movsumov (right) in the front row center (taken on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the “Japan-Azerbaijan Cultural Exchange Reception 2026”)

■ Key Points of This Press Release

・On the Japanese side, JAZPA, led by Saishi Usukura, is scheduled to be officially launched on Friday, August 7, 2026. The organization will appoint practitioners and experts from various fields as board members to promote ongoing exchange and business collaboration.

・On the Azerbaijani side, preparations are underway to establish JABIC, with Mr. Jamid Movsumov, representative of AFA, slated to serve as its representative.

・The names, areas of responsibility, and profiles of JAZPA’s board members will be announced sequentially on the official website and other channels.

・As a practical forum to solidify cooperation between the two countries, JEG 2026 will be held in Baku on Sunday, October 18, and Monday, October 19, 2026.

・Due to final adjustments to the exhibition categories, the application deadline for certain categories has been extended to Friday, August 14, 2026.

・Open registration for the alcoholic beverages and medical categories has closed. For other categories, registration may close before August 14 if the quota is reached.

■JAZPA to Officially Launch on Friday, August 7, 2026

Led by Representative Hitoshi Usukura, JAZPA is a Japanese private-sector collaboration platform that connects companies, organizations, and experts in Japan and Azerbaijan across fields such as culture, tourism, education, regional industries, food, beauty, health, traditional crafts, technology, and business.

Following the announcement of its preparatory efforts at the “Japan-Azerbaijan Cultural Exchange Reception 2026” held on June 16, 2026, at the Nogi Kaikan in Tokyo, JAZPA has been working to establish its organizational objectives, business activities, and operational structure.

Following its official launch, the organization will proceed in stages with the following main initiatives:

・Providing information related to Azerbaijan to Japanese companies, local governments, regional industries, and cultural stakeholders

・Establishing connections with local companies, organizations, and experts, and creating opportunities for meetings and business negotiations

・Implementing study tours, exchange programs, cultural programs, and corporate partnership initiatives

・Collaborating with experts and relevant organizations to address practical issues such as trade and business development

We plan to appoint practitioners and experts from various fields to the Board of Directors. The names, areas of responsibility, and profiles of each director will be announced sequentially on the official website and other channels following the official launch. Until the JAZPA dedicated website is launched, updates will be posted sequentially on the JEG 2026 official website.

<JEG 2026 Official Website: https://ua-jeg.jp/>

■ Azerbaijan is Moving Forward with Preparations to Establish JABIC

On the Azerbaijani side, preparations are underway to establish JABIC (Japan-Azerbaijan Business Cooperation Council), with Mr. Jamid Movsumov, Representative of the AFA, slated to serve as its representative.

JABIC aims to serve as a framework that connects Azerbaijani companies and related organizations with Japanese companies, supporting business negotiations, local expansion, business and investment partnerships, and the formation of ongoing business relationships. Its English name is “Japan Azerbaijan Business and Investment Council,” and its abbreviation is “JABIC.”

The organizational structure, board composition, and logo are currently under discussion, and details will be officially announced once finalized.

■ A Mutual Foundation to Ensure It’s Not Just a “One-Time Trade Show”

When Japanese companies expand into overseas markets, they require more than just exhibiting at trade shows; they also need ongoing dialogue with local companies, verification of products, pricing, and sales methods tailored to the market, practical coordination regarding imports and exports, and post-event support.

JAZPA and JABIC—which is currently being established in Azerbaijan—aim to connect companies, experts, and relevant organizations from their respective perspectives and support continuous collaboration both before and after the trade show.

■Comment by Hitoshi Usukura, JAZPA Representative and Chair of the JEG 2026 Executive Committee

“Our goal is not simply to introduce Japanese products and culture once and be done with it. It is to lay the groundwork for Japanese companies to build lasting relationships with local businesses and stakeholders, leading to actual transactions and joint ventures.

JAZPA and JABIC—which is currently being established in Azerbaijan—will serve as the respective points of contact, and we will make JEG 2026 the first major platform for putting this into practice.”

■About JEG 2026

JEG 2026 is an international exhibition held in Baku, Azerbaijan, that showcases Japanese culture, regional industries, food, beauty, health, traditional crafts, technology, and more, and facilitates dialogue, business negotiations, and market validation with local companies and stakeholders.

JEG 2026 is positioned as one of the first major opportunities to give concrete form to the ongoing collaboration sought by JAZPA and JABIC.

Name: THE JAPAN ESSENCE GLOBAL EXPO 2026

Dates: October 18 (Sun) and 19 (Mon), 2026

Venue: Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard

Location: Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan

■ Limited to Select Categories | Final Call for Applications

Due to final adjustments to the exhibition categories, JEG 2026 is extending the application period for certain categories only.

[Final Application Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2026]

This is the final call for applications, and we do not plan to extend the deadline further.

Please note that general applications for the alcoholic beverages and medical categories have closed due to adjustments to the exhibition category structure.

For other categories, applications may close before August 14 if the available slots are filled.

■ Exhibitor Information Session

・Thursday, August 6, 2:00 PM–

・Friday, August 7, 2:00 PM–

・Monday, August 10, 4:00 PM–

・Thursday, August 13, 3:00 PM～ [Final Session]

Details regarding the format and registration process will be posted on the official JEG 2026 website.

<JEG 2026 Official Website: https://ua-jeg.jp/>

■JAZPA Overview

Japanese Name: Japan-Azerbaijan Exchange Promotion Association

English Name: Japan-Azerbaijan Partnership Association

Abbreviation: JAZPA

Representative: Saishi Usukura

Scheduled Launch: Friday, August 7, 2026

Role: A private-sector collaboration platform on the Japanese side

Board Composition: To be announced sequentially on the official website and other channels following the official launch

Japan-Azerbaijan Partnership Association / Japan-Azerbaijan Exchange Promotion Association

■ JABIC Overview

English Name: Japan Azerbaijan Business and Investment Council

Abbreviation: JABIC

Designated Chairperson: Jamid Movsumov

Status: Currently in the process of being established in Azerbaijan

Future Announcements: Details regarding organizational structure, board members, logo, etc., will be announced once finalized

■ uA Co., Ltd. Company Overview

Company Name: uA Co., Ltd.

Representative: Representative Director Saishi Usukura

Address: 1F, Building B, Sarugaku, 26-2 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0033

Established: April 2016

Capital: 20 million yen

Business Activities: Beauty salon operations; development, sales, and training for AirSerum;

　　　　　 education in the beauty and health sectors, support for overseas expansion, planning and operation of international events,

　　　　　 Video and media strategy business

Company URL: https://ua-jeg.com/