Japanese Companies in DMCC: Insights from the Tokyo Roadshow

In April 2024, DMCC held its first "Made for Trade Live" roadshow in Japan, in Tokyo. The focus was on three areas — Web3, AI and gaming — and leading Japanese gaming companies including Cygames, Next Ninja and Square Enix took part.

DMCC runs these roadshows in cities around the world as seminar and business-matching events to attract new member companies. Choosing Tokyo as a venue is itself a sign that DMCC regards Japan as an important target market.

As of April 2024, 83 Japanese companies were registered with DMCC, equivalent to around 24% of all Japanese companies operating in the UAE. DMCC's Executive Chairman and CEO, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, has spoken of the significant untapped potential of the Japanese market and has shown a proactive stance on attracting more Japanese companies.

In December 2024, he also spoke as a panellist at "Investopia Tokyo", organised by the UAE Ministry of Economy with the cooperation of METI, JETRO and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry — a sign that ties with the Japanese government and business organisations are steadily developing.

• DMCC itself has publicly described the Japanese market as untapped and is actively seeking to attract Japanese companies.
• DMCC is placing particular emphasis on Web3, gaming and AI — fields in which Japanese companies are globally competitive.
• Under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, DMCC aims to double its membership over the medium term (from 26,000 to around 52,000 companies) and is expanding its international roadshows worldwide.

For Japanese companies, a period in which the free zone is actively reaching out to attract them can also be a favourable moment to discuss setup terms and conditions.

Our consultants have directly handled DMCC company formation for a major Japanese energy-related company, supporting it all the way through to document submission. What we sense from our practical dealings with DMCC is the scale of the opportunity ahead: expectations for the Japanese market are high, while the support environment for Japanese companies is still developing.

Japanese companies that move early are also better placed to establish themselves as first movers within DMCC's sector ecosystems, from commodities to technology and financial services.

Biz Easy does not stop at company formation. We are an advisory firm whose strength is seeing the work through — from strategy and company setup to visas, bank account opening and day-to-day operations. We offer Big Four-level expertise at a more accessible cost.

Since our founding in 2021, we have supported more than 200 companies expanding into the Middle East and Africa. For expansion in Web3, AI and gaming in particular, we provide practical support informed by the commitment DMCC demonstrated at its Tokyo roadshow.