Festivals - Japan Expo 2026: A forward-looking festival that places people, inclusion, and culture at the heart of its 25th anniversary

By Mulder, 01 july 2026

While this twenty-fifth edition impresses with the richness of its video game programming, it also illustrates the profound evolution of Japan Expo, which over the years has become a true cultural laboratory where the various facets of contemporary Japanese society come together. The days when the event was essentially limited to manga and anime are now a thing of the past. In 2026, the event fully embraces the new challenges facing the entertainment industry, as well as those related to education, the transmission of knowledge, digital inclusion, and intergenerational dialogue. This commitment is reflected, in particular, in the creation of spaces specifically designed to promote more responsible video game play, reminding us that behind the competitions, previews, and major international franchises lies, above all, a vast community of enthusiasts. This philosophy has guided Japan Expo’s growth for several years, as the event seeks not only to entertain but also to raise visitors’ awareness of the transformations in an industry that has become one of the primary cultural forces of our time.

The most striking example of this approach is undoubtedly the Safe Zone, a new space created at the heart of the Gaming Arena. Designed as a welcoming space for children, families, and all gamers wishing to explore a more respectful approach to digital gaming, this zone brings together several recognized organizations such as Safe Bear, Point de Contact, Respect Zone, e-Enfance, Women in Games, and Afrogameuses. Through interactive workshops, collaborative games, and educational activities, visitors will be able to explore topics that have become essential, such as preventing cyberbullying, respecting other players, toxic online behavior, and best practices related to social media and gaming platforms. At a time when online communities are playing an increasingly important role in the daily lives of millions of gamers, this initiative demonstrates that Japan Expo is committed to supporting the industry’s evolution while also emphasizing its social responsibilities. Using retrogaming as a bridge between parents and children is, in fact, a particularly relevant idea: sharing a game of Sonic, Street Fighter, or Mario Kart becomes a way to foster dialogue across generations around a shared passion.

The festival’s openness to all forms of Japanese popular culture is also reflected in its musical lineup. Sega will host an event entirely dedicated to *HATSUNE MIKU: Colorful Stage!*, a rhythm game featuring the famous virtual singer who has become one of the major icons of 21st-century Japanese pop culture. A true global phenomenon, Hatsune Miku goes far beyond the simple role of a video game character. Created using the Vocaloid software developed by Yamaha, she has evolved over the years into a virtual artist capable of filling concert halls around the world thanks to hologram technology and the creativity of thousands of independent composers. To celebrate this universe, Japan Expo will welcome Mayu Yoshioka and Rina Honizumi, the voice actresses behind two members of the group MORE MORE JUMP!, who will participate in various activities for visitors. Their presence once again confirms the festival’s ability to attract guests rarely seen in Europe and to facilitate unique encounters between Japanese artists and their Western audience.

However, this rich program should not overshadow the festival’s overall diversity. Far beyond video games, Japan Expo 2026 will feature over a hundred concerts and showcases, several dozen stage performances, more than 150 martial arts demonstrations, 63 conferences, 13 live drawing sessions bringing together mangaka and illustrators, 30 master classes, five exhibitions totaling over 1,300 square meters, and 17 hours of screenings. Added to this are nine autograph sessions, two meet-and-greet rooms, 120 Japanese artisans gathered in the Wabi Sabi area, and numerous workshops allowing visitors to discover traditional disciplines such as calligraphy, ikebana, the tea ceremony, and Japanese crafts. This coexistence of age-old traditions and technological innovations has likely been Japan Expo’s greatest strength since its inception. Few European events manage to bring Japanese cultural heritage, contemporary creative industries, and new forms of digital entertainment together in such a natural way.

This anniversary edition also takes on a special symbolic significance when we look back at how far the festival has come since its beginnings. Over the past twenty-five years, Japan Expo has witnessed the global explosion of manga, the rise of Japanese animation on streaming platforms, the widespread adoption of cosplay, the recognition of video games as a major cultural industry, and the international expansion of Japanese studios. The event has hosted thousands of artists, authors, musicians, directors, actors, developers, and creators who have shaped the collective imagination of several generations. For many visitors, Japan Expo represents much more than an annual event: it is a place for reunions, new discoveries, and sometimes even the starting point for professional careers in video games, illustration, animation, or audiovisual production. This role as a bridge between cultures largely explains why the event continues to attract an ever-growing audience despite the emergence of numerous competing conventions in Europe.

By bringing together leading figures from SEGA, ATLUS, Square Enix, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Arc System Works, Nintendo, Cygames, and Ankama—while also giving prominent space to heritage associations like MO5 and citizen-led initiatives such as the Safe Zone—Japan Expo demonstrates that it is possible to celebrate video games in all their forms: as works of art, as cultural heritage, as an economic industry, and also as a powerful tool for sharing. Few European events today manage to offer such a diverse program, capable of satisfying retro console collectors, esports enthusiasts, J-RPG fans, families coming to discover Japanese culture, and industry professionals alike.

At a time when video games occupy an unprecedented place in global cultural practices, this twenty-fifth edition stands as the perfect synthesis of everything Japan Expo has become over the past quarter-century: a place where traditions and innovations intersect, where creators meet their audiences, and where childhood memories meet the technologies of tomorrow. More than just an anniversary, Japan Expo 2026 stands as a true declaration of intent for the next twenty-five years. The festival thus reaffirms its status as Europe’s premier event dedicated to Japanese culture and reminds us that, beyond spectacular announcements, world exclusives, and major video game franchises, its greatest achievement is undoubtedly having built, year after year, an international community united by the same curiosity, the same passion, and the same desire for discovery.

(Source: press release)