#Japan #Tokyo #Small Businesses #Buyer’s Room

Announcement of Buyer’s Room 2025

The Product Evaluation Committee, as part of the National Federation of Small Business Associations located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, is set to kick off the recruitment of products for Buyer’s Room 2025 (November session). This initiative focuses on promoting unique local products developed from regional resources and skills, with the goal of supporting small and medium enterprises in expanding their market reach.

Since its inception in 2020, the Buyer’s Room has operated with a business matching evaluation format, emphasizing direct business negotiations. To date, the program has facilitated 1,627 new business discussions over nine sessions. This year’s efforts will emphasize enhancing value through awards while strengthening business matching opportunities.

Key Dates for Participation

• - Entry Period: From September 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM, until September 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

Image from previous year’s evaluation event

Background of the Initiative

It is common for small businesses around the country to face challenges such as: "We've developed products rich in local character and added value, but struggle with PR and market expansion, limiting distribution to only our region." The National Federation seeks to create opportunities for these small entities through Buyer’s Room, establishing a new place for business matching.

What is Buyer’s Room?

Buyer’s Room is an initiative aiming to address the challenges of product development and market expansion faced by small businesses across the nation. It brings together buyers, chefs, and other stakeholders in the distribution network to collectively resolve these challenges. Businesses looking to expand their reach can submit their products, which will then be evaluated and selected by industry professionals during a live event in Tokyo. This provides several benefits for participants, including the opportunity to enhance their market reach without incurring travel costs.

Event Structure:

1. Evaluation Meeting (Held on November 11, 2025)
A gathering of about 40 buyers from various sectors, including supermarkets, select shops, e-commerce platforms, and restaurants, will evaluate products through tastings. Outstanding products that generate business interest will receive special awards, creating further distribution opportunities.

2. Awards Presentation
The awards include the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Award, and gold, silver, bronze, and specific jury awards. The most voted product in past buyer evaluations will be awarded the Minister of Economy Award.
Additionally, the next product with the most votes will receive the Director-General Award, resulting in a single annual announcement scheduled for December 2025.

3. PR for Winning Products to the Distribution Network
The initiative's organizing committee, Little World, operates the Team Chef project, which includes a network of 900 distribution professionals aiming to bridge small businesses with the market. Winning products will be promoted to over 50 distribution partners through email outreach, significantly enhancing their visibility and sales opportunities.

Proven Success

• - Over the nine sessions, a total of 1,627 new business opportunities have been realized.
• - 55 products generated revenue exceeding 1 million yen due to this project’s matching efforts.
• - The overall revenue impact from these matches amounts to over 186 million yen from 2020 up to January 2025.

Overview of Buyer’s Room 2025

• - Entry Recruitment Period: September 1, 2025, 10:00 AM - September 30, 2025, 5:00 PM
• - Document Screening: October 1-2, 2025
• - Notification of Results: October 3, 2025
• - Evaluation Meeting: November 11, 2025, in Tokyo
• - Award Notification and Public Announcement: Mid-December 2025
• - Submission Categories: Foods including processed items, seasonings, sweets, beverages
• - Entry Fees: General Price - 20,000 yen for the first product, 10,000 yen for the second product (including tax). Special prices available for federation members.
• - Number of Products to be Evaluated: About 100 products expected after document screening.
• - Special Cooperation by: Team Chef

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted through the National Federation's official site under the 'Canvas' application section. Create an account for registration before applying. The URL for application is: Apply Here

Partner Buyer Companies (Tentative List)

(Companies listed in alphabetical order)

• - AKOMEYA TOKYO, Ardis, Anshin-do, Imikotomarche, Oishii Funding, Oizumi Foods, Ohno-ya, Kitano Ace, Kinokuniya, Keihan Department Store, etc.

Buyer’s Room Official Website

For more detailed information, visit the official website: Buyer’s Room

About the Federation of Commerce and Industry

Established under the Commercial Law, the federation is comprised of businesses voluntarily organized in their respective districts, boasting 1,589 associations throughout Japan and a membership of about 790,000 businesses.