Maritime Industry Roundtable

Tuesday, 27 October 2026 @ Royal Norwegian Embassy, Tokyo

The roundtable is being organized in connection with the visit to Japan by representatives from the Norwegian Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Fisheries for their bilateral consultations with the Maritime Bureau of Japans Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) under the Norway-Japan MoU from 2011 on cooperation in the field of environmentally friendly maritime technology and industry.

The session will bring together maritime industry and government representatives for a focused exchange.

We would be delighted if you could join this important dialogue and contribute your perspective on how to strengthen the maritime cooperation between Norway and Japan. Participants will be invited to share a brief perspective from their organization, followed by a moderated discussion under the Chatham House Rule, and we encourage you to prepare an introduction for up to 2 minutes on one or more of the following topics for starting the “round around the table” before the discussions:

 A recent achievement or milestone in Japan

 An important market opportunity for your company

 A key challenge or barrier to growth for you in the market

 Recommendations to Norwegian or Japanese authorities

 Opportunities for future Japan-Norway cooperation

By participating the Norwegian maritime community can give valuable input in advance of the bilateral

consultations, by highlighting emerging opportunities in the market, barriers to growth, and give input on

what support you and important Japanese partners in the market need for developing even deeper

partnerships in business.

Practical information

Time: Tuesday, 27 October 2026 15:20 (Doors open 15:00)

15:20 Roundtable

17:30 Maritime Stakeholder Networking Reception

Venue: Aurora Hall, Norwegian Embassy

Language: English

Participation: By invitation and advance registration only

Organizer:: Norwegian Embassy

Co-organizer: Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Registration: Please register by October 20th via button below

Detailed roundtable program (changes may occur)

15:20-15:30 Welcome and Opening Remarks (MC: Michal Berg)

Welcome remarks, Kristin Iglum, Norwegian Ambassador

Opening remarks, Ottar Ostnes, Director General, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Fisheries (MoICF)

15:30-16:00 Setting the scene: Norway and Japan Perspectives (10 min x2)

“Japan’s Maritime Ambition and Shipbuilding capacity strategy” (Title TBC)

Kohei Iwaki, Director, Int. Planning and Coordination Office, Maritime Bureau, MLIT

“Norway’s approach to and role in the implementation of new (green) technology”

Nils Haktor Bua, Head of Section, New Maritime Technology, Norwegian Maritime

Authority (NMA)

16:00 – 16:30 Industry-Government Roundtable

Moderator Michal Berg, Norwegian Embassy

Each company takes 2 minutes to address their achievements, milestones and partnerships in the market, which can include including:

1. Achievement in Japan over the past 12 months

2. Most important opportunity for the company in the next 2-3 years

3. Biggest challenge or market access concern

4. One recommendation to governments

16:30-17:00 Moderated discussions based on topics from industry input

- Norwegian companies

- MoICF representative (welcome to be active participant in discussion)

- MLIT representative (welcome to be active participant in discussion)

- NMA representative (welcome to be active participant in discussion)

17:00 – 17:10 Key takeaways and recommendation or reflections from participants

17:00 – 17:15 Relocate to Ambassador’s Residence for reception dinner.