NBLO Expands Bulgaria–Japan Engagement Through Strategic Participation in Japan

Expo 2025 Osaka

New Balkans Law Office (NBLO) was pleased to represent Bulgaria at Expo 2025 in Osaka—an international platform of significant diplomatic and commercial importance. Our Associate Michael Ivanov who is a Japanese speaker, attended on behalf of the firm, promoting Bulgaria as a strategic gateway to the European Union for Japanese startups, technology companies, venture capital investors, and internationally focused entrepreneurs.

NBLO’s participation in the Expo aligns with our broader strategy to foster deeper engagement between the Bulgarian and Japanese business and legal communities. Earlier this year, we co-hosted the forum “Cross-border Tech and Venture Capital (VC) between Europe and Japan”, which brought together prominent stakeholders from the private sector, government, and academia. The event highlighted Bulgaria’s growing appeal as a regional base within the EU for Japanese investors and innovators.

EU–Japan Healthcare Conference

On 26 June 2025, NBLO took part in the EU–Japan Healthcare Conference: “United for Saving Lives”, organised under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event convened leaders in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, and healthcare policy from across Europe and Japan.

During the conference, NBLO engaged with members of the Bulgarian official delegation and met with Japanese institutions, public bodies, and healthcare innovators. Dialogue centred around expanding bilateral investment and collaborative innovation in the healthcare sector—an area where Bulgaria is increasingly well-positioned to serve as a bridge to the EU market.

Japan Health 2025

From 25–27 June, NBLO also attended Japan Health 2025, the country’s first international exhibition dedicated to the medical and healthcare industries. Hosted at INTEX Osaka and officially part of Expo 2025’s Health & Wellbeing Week, the event attracted leading manufacturers, researchers, government agencies, and startups from Japan and beyond.

The exhibition provided NBLO with a valuable opportunity to connect with key stakeholders in digital health, regenerative medicine, and elderly care. It also reinforced the firm’s commitment to supporting cross-border healthtech ventures through regulatory advisory, investment facilitation, and strategic legal support.

Long-Term Collaboration

NBLO is proud to advise both Japanese and Bulgarian clients on market entry strategies, corporate and investment structuring, EU regulatory compliance, and cross-border transactions. Our deepening engagement in Japan reflects a long-term commitment to advancing legal certainty, commercial opportunity, and collaborative innovation between our two countries.

We are grateful to the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) for supporting our participation in these landmark events, and we look forward to continuing to contribute to the legal and commercial infrastructure underpinning Bulgaria–Japan relations.