Japan – a global economic powerhouse where tradition goes hand in hand with technology—will be the Honored Country of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), to be held from 5 to 13 September 2026. Preparations for organizing its participation and designing its pavilion have already begun and are progressing at an intensive pace. The Honored Country’s presence will be hosted in Pavilion 13 of the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center and is expected to impress visitors to the 90th TIF, a commemorative edition marking 100 years since the first TIF in 1926.

Greek and international audiences at the 90th TIF will have the opportunity to explore the distinctive Japanese “universe” through the three thematic pillars of “Takumi”: wisdom, empathy, and driving force. In particular, the Embassy of Japan in Greece, which has undertaken the coordination of the Honored Country’s participation in the 90th TIF, will present a panorama of Japanese companies and organizations from the sectors of tourism, technology, innovation, automotive industry, energy, and healthcare. At the same time, a rich program of events will be offered, including thematic days, educational activities, networking events, corporate presentations, as well as a series of cultural events.

Japan’s presence as the Honored Country at this year’s event is inspired by the philosophy of “Takumi” (ta-ku-mi), which in Japanese means “artisan” or “master craftsman.” Takumi does not merely describe the practice of a profession, but rather a timeless dedication to perfecting a craft, with an emphasis on skill, precision, attention to detail, and human-centered design. This philosophy is a cornerstone of Japanese culture and has been internationally recognized as a benchmark of quality and excellence.

The official announcement of Japan’s participation as the Honored Country at the 90th TIF was made at an event held yesterday at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Koichi ITO, in the presence of representatives of the Japanese community, leading companies of Japanese business, and Greek representatives of Japanese enterprises. On the Greek side, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the management of TIF–HELEXPO were in attendance.

During the event, ways of further informing Japanese and Greek businesses about Japan’s participation as the Honored Country at the 90th TIF were also discussed, while emphasis was placed on the significant opportunity created to strengthen and deepen Greek Japanese political, economic, business, and cultural relations.

“This year offers substantial opportunities for the further strengthening of Japan–Greece relations. I feel deeply honored to announce a milestone in our cooperation for 2026,” noted the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Koichi ITO.

“The participation of Japan as the Honored Country, beyond being a significant event in itself, also has another dimension: Japan is now among the top priorities of our economic diplomacy for the next five years. The country has adopted a strategic five-year outward-looking plan, and among the geographic priorities identified, Japan ranks at the very top—something that will also be highlighted this September at the TIF. This will mark the beginning of closer cooperation between the two countries,” stated Mr. Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Extroversion at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“It is a great honor for our organization that Japan will be the Honored Country at the 90th TIF, a commemorative edition marking 100 years since the first Thessaloniki International Fair in 1926. The institution of the Honored Country is extremely important to us and is inextricably linked to the technology, progress, and culture that each selected country brings to the Thessaloniki International Fair. In this case, we are dealing with a fortunate convergence, as these three concepts are embedded in the DNA of Japan—a pioneering country that also demonstrates deep respect for tradition and culture,” emphasized Mr. Christos Tsentemeidis, President of TIF–HELEXPO.

The company held its New Year’s cake-cutting ceremony

A new chapter of growth is opening in 2026 for Thessaloniki International Fair, both on the front of the redevelopment project and in its exhibition activity benefiting the company as well as Thessaloniki and Northern Greece. As highlighted during today’s event for the traditional New Year’s cake-cutting ceremony of TIF and its employees, the new year also marks the 100th anniversary of the first Thessaloniki International Fair in 1926.

“We have an ambitious goal, and that is the redevelopment. What I want to reassure everyone is that we have all the necessary tools to achieve this goal. What matters to us, however, is teamwork and participation. After all, this will not be the work of one person, but the work of all of us. It will change not only the company and the city, but the entire country,” emphasized the President of TIF, Mr. Christos Tsentemeidis, noting that 2026 will be a year of action. He also underlined the need for the local community to become part of this endeavor and pointed out that teamwork is key not only for the redevelopment project, but also for improving the company’s strategy regarding its exhibition and congress activities. “For the people of Northern Greece, TIF is more than a company, for many of us, it is a part of our lives,” he stressed.

Highlighting the historic significance of TIF, as well as its determination to look to the future, the company’s CEO, Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis, also referred to the 100 years that have been completed this year since the first Thessaloniki International Fair.

At the beginning of the event, the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Mr. Philotheos, officiated a blessing service, wishing for the advancement of the work carried out in recent years at TIF, so that good deeds may be revealed, as he said, as acts of kindness, and that the entire city may be promoted through them.

“The Fair is important for Thessaloniki, for all of Macedonia, and we are pleased because we look forward to its further development, for the benefit of the whole city and of the entire homeland,” he noted.

In his address, the Deputy Minister of the Interior (Macedonia–Thrace), Mr. Kostas Gioulekas, pointed out that the Fair is not merely the country’s only national exhibition institution, nor only TIF itself, but the Fair of Thessaloniki and it is inextricably linked to this city.

The long-standing support of the Region of Central Macedonia for TIF was emphasized by the Regional Governor, Mrs. Athina Aidona, who noted that “We must all work together to achieve the redevelopment.”

The President of the TIF Employees’ Association, Mr. Panagiotis Chatziioannou, described 2026 as a year of challenges, creativity, opportunities, and optimism, stressing the great bet of the redevelopment at its historic site. “We are ready to stand up to challenges and turn them into opportunities,” he said.

Greetings were also delivered by Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki B’ (New Democracy), Mr. Theodoros Karaoglou, Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki A’ (PASOK), Mrs. Rania Thraskia, and Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki B’ (KKE), Mr. Leonidas Stoltidis.