Top 10 Japan Influencer Marketing Events in 2026. Why Global Brands Are Turning Their Attention to the Japanese Market Now

In 2026, the Japanese market is drawing global attention as a key stage for influencer marketing. Although Japan is a mature consumer market, it is characterized by a unique culture that places strong emphasis on empathy and trust. For global brands, this makes Japan a challenging market to navigate—but one where successful execution can deliver significant results.

Against this backdrop, influencer marketing in Japan has become a topic of growing interest worldwide. Alongside this trend, attention toward related industry events is also increasing as a way to better understand the market’s direction and underlying dynamics.

In this article, we first outline why the Japanese market is attracting renewed attention today, and then introduce 10 notable influencer marketing–related events taking place in Japan in 2026. We hope this serves as a practical reference for turning interest in the Japanese market into concrete action.

Why Japan’s Influencer Marketing Is Gaining Global Attention as a “Hot Market” in 2026

In 2026, Japan’s influencer marketing market is once again attracting strong interest from global brands and international marketers. The reason is not simply the size of the market.

Japan’s unique consumer culture—one that places a high value on empathy and trust—combined with an environment in which social media and purchasing behavior are closely intertwined, is beginning to generate results that differ from those seen in other countries.

Against this backdrop, influencer marketing in Japan is now being recognized both as an important topic that requires deeper understanding and as a field worth exploring on the ground to gather firsthand insights. In this section, we examine why the Japanese market is particularly hot right now and explain why participating in related events can serve as a valuable basis for informed decision-making.

A Market Structure and Quality of Growth Unique to Japan That Is Drawing Global Attention

Japan is a mature market with one of the largest economies and strongest purchasing power in the world. While its population size may suggest limited room for growth at first glance, the market is in fact characterized by high per-capita spending and sustained, long-term investment in brands.

This structure creates an environment that aligns extremely well with influencer marketing. Japanese consumers tend to prioritize trust, quality, and the story behind a brand or product over low prices alone. As a result, influencer messaging that is delivered consistently over time often has a stronger impact on purchasing behavior than short-term advertising.

In particular, influencers who have built deep, ongoing relationships with their followers are more likely to generate long-term results in Japan. This emphasis on trust and continuity is a defining feature of the market.

It is precisely this market structure—one that grows through quality rather than sheer volume—that has elevated Japanese influencer marketing into a hot topic on the global stage.

Consumer Behavior Where Empathy Drives Results—Distinct Even Within Asia

Another reason the Japanese market stands out is its highly distinctive consumer behavior, even within Asia. Japanese consumers tend to view influencers not merely as advertising channels, but as “trusted third parties.”

At the core of this perspective is a culture that places strong importance on empathy. Rather than focusing solely on the product itself, consumers pay close attention to context—why the influencer chose it, what values they hold, and what personal background informs their choices. As a result, superficial or overly promotional messaging is quickly recognized and often dismissed, while influencers who communicate consistently and authentically over time tend to build deep trust and emotional connection with their audiences.

In such a market, strategies that treat Asia as a single, homogeneous region are unlikely to succeed. Instead, approaches specifically designed for the Japanese market are required.

This is precisely why Japanese influencer marketing is now regarded as a field that demands local understanding, and why industry events are gaining importance as venues for accessing the latest case studies and practical, on-the-ground insights.

A Must-Watch Opportunity for Global Brands Targeting the Japanese Market

Influencer marketing–related events taking place in Japan in 2026 are more than just industry exhibitions or conferences. They are designed as platforms where practical knowledge for achieving results in the Japanese market is concentrated, bringing together multiple disciplines such as marketing, social media, influencers, e-commerce, and brand strategy.

In this section, we outline the common characteristics shared by these Japan-based events and explain why they have become essential opportunities that global brands cannot afford to overlook.

Why Marketers from Around the World Are Gathering — Japan-Origin Influence in 2026

Influencer marketing–related events held in Japan attract not only domestic companies, but also international marketers and brand representatives, particularly from across Asia, Europe, and North America.

At these events, participants can gain a structured understanding of success stories and operational models that originate in Japan. Rather than presenting outcomes alone, sessions often delve into the reasoning behind key decisions and the strategic thinking that shaped each approach—an aspect that sets these events apart.

Global marketers are coming to Japan because there is a clear need to understand, firsthand, what is actually happening in the Japanese market today. As opportunities to directly absorb the latest trends and insights from within Japan, these events are drawing significant attention worldwide.

What Kind of Sessions Offer Takeaways for Achieving Results in Japan?

One common feature of events held in Japan is that their sessions are designed to be directly applicable to real-world practice. Rather than stopping at the introduction of knowledge or trends, they place strong emphasis on the processes behind success—specifically, why certain approaches led to results.

In the Japanese market, outcomes are heavily influenced by factors such as how influencers are selected, the tone of their messaging, and how relationships with followers are built. These elements are difficult to evaluate through numbers alone and require judgment criteria developed through on-the-ground experience.

Event sessions share the thinking processes that lead to success in Japan from both the brand and creator perspectives. Because speakers often discuss concrete turning points between success and failure, the insights are easy to translate into one’s own marketing initiatives.

For global brands, gaining an understanding of the Japan-specific “ways of thinking” and underlying assumptions is itself a valuable learning outcome that these sessions uniquely provide.

Unique Opportunities to Connect with Creators from Around the World

One of the greatest values of events held in Japan lies in the people you meet. Influencers, marketing professionals, agencies, and platform representatives from a wide range of backgrounds come together in one place.

In the Japanese market, building relationships through face-to-face interaction is particularly important. By participating in events and establishing direct connections, it becomes much easier to move forward with future collaborations and partnerships.

In addition, Japanese creators tend to prioritize long-term relationships with brands that share their values, rather than short-term, transactional campaigns. As a result, connections made at events are especially likely to develop into ongoing collaborations, making these encounters a key advantage of attending in person.

Exclusive Experiences Only Possible at Events Held in Japan

The greatest appeal of events held in Japan is the ability to experience the market firsthand. Unlike reports or online information, these events offer direct exposure to Japan’s unique consumer culture and value systems—elements that are difficult to fully grasp through data alone.

At these events, exhibitions and sessions are designed around Japanese social media trends and everyday life contexts. This allows participants to intuitively understand why certain expressions, tones, or approaches resonate in Japan, and why specific strategies are chosen over others in this market.

If You Want to Succeed in the Japanese Market, Now Is the Time to Act

For global brands aiming to achieve results in the Japanese market, the single greatest differentiator is timing—specifically, when you choose to take action.

“The Japanese Market Won’t Wait” — Why 2026 Is the Year to Act, and the Opportunities You Don’t Want to Miss

2026 is expected to be a year in which collaboration among Japanese companies, creators, and platforms accelerates even further. One key reason is that as successful case studies become more widely shared, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve results using the same strategies.

The later a brand enters the market, the more time it tends to take to build trust and meaningful relationships. Whether you are able to act before these patterns become firmly established may determine your results over the coming years.

In the Japanese market, brands that move early are more likely to build sustainable competitive advantages. Choosing to “wait and see a little longer” can easily lead to missed opportunities.

2026 can be seen as a critical turning point for any brand that is serious about engaging with the Japanese market.

Three Key Outcomes of Attending Events: Trust, Connections, and Market Understanding

In 2026, the greatest value of attending events held in Japan can be broadly divided into three key outcomes.

The first is trust.

In the Japanese market, direct dialogue and on-the-ground understanding play a crucial role in building trust toward a brand. Actively participating in events and creating real points of contact helps establish credibility that cannot be achieved through remote communication alone.

The second is connections.

Opportunities to meet influencers and industry experts serve as important starting points for moving initiatives forward. Building multiple connections can become a strong foundation when launching new campaigns or expanding existing efforts.

The third is market understanding.

Events provide an experiential way to learn Japan-specific decision-making criteria that cannot be fully captured through documents or online information. In a market like Japan—where cultural uniqueness is particularly strong even within Asia—experiencing the atmosphere and on-site context firsthand is often the shortest path to success.

Your Move Comes Next

What truly determines whether event participation leads to results is how clearly you define your actions after the event. Attending alone should not be the goal—what matters is setting clear next steps.

First, before attending an event, clarify your company’s objectives and put into words the goals you want to achieve in the Japanese market.

Next, take part in the event itself and focus on building relationships with partners and creators you can trust.

When building these relationships, it is important to approach each initial connection with the intention of developing it into an ongoing collaboration, rather than treating it as a one-time interaction.

With these points in mind, we encourage you to take the next step and participate in Japan’s influencer marketing events to turn insight into action.

Top 10 Japan Influencer Marketing Events in 2026

①DigiMarCon Japan

source : https://digimarconjapan.jp/

Dates: July 2–3, 2026

DigiMarCon Japan is the Japan edition of the internationally recognized DigiMarCon digital marketing conference series, held in cities around the world.

Set in Tokyo, the event features the latest case studies and practical insights across key themes such as influencer marketing, social media strategy, digital advertising, and MarTech.

One of the main strengths of DigiMarCon Japan is the opportunity to gain both global marketing perspectives and in-depth insights from companies and marketers who are deeply familiar with the Japanese market.

Through conference sessions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities, participants can also build direct connections with Japanese companies, agencies, and technology providers.

This event offers valuable knowledge and meaningful encounters for global brands considering entry into the Japanese market, marketers looking to strengthen their presence in Asia, and professionals who want to stay up to date with the latest trends in influencer marketing.

②Influencer’sEXPO

source : https://www.influencersexpo.jp/

Dates: March 2026 (tentative)

Influencers EXPO is a specialized event dedicated exclusively to influencer marketing, held in Japan. It brings together brands, advertising agencies, marketers, and influencers to share the latest marketing strategies, successful case studies, and industry trends.

The event highlights promotion strategies centered on influencer collaborations, platform-specific approaches across different social media channels, and effective ways for companies and creators to work together.

Through exhibitions and networking opportunities, attendees can directly connect with influential Japanese influencers and related businesses, making it an excellent opportunity to build meaningful relationships within the local market.

For overseas brands and marketers seeking to understand influencer marketing in Japan and gain practical insights and valuable networks they can apply to real-world campaigns, this event offers significant value.

③ Influencer Banpaku

source : https://influencer-banpaku.com/influencer/

Date: March 17, 2026

Influencer Banpaku (Influencer Expo) is a business-focused event in Japan dedicated to influencer marketing. It brings together brands, corporate decision-makers, agencies, and influencers to share the latest use cases, market trends, and practical marketing strategies.

The event features platform-specific social media approaches, effective frameworks for influencer collaborations, and concrete solutions to common challenges faced by brands and businesses.

Through exhibitions and networking sessions, participants also have opportunities to connect directly with influencers and related companies actively operating in the Japanese market.

For overseas brands and marketers seeking to understand the current state of influencer marketing in Japan and gain actionable insights and valuable networks they can apply in practice, this event offers strong value.

④Cosme Lab

source : https://anymindgroup.com/ja/blog/cosmelab_25111516

Dates: July 2026 (tentative)

CosmeLab is a marketing-focused event and initiative organized by AnyMind Group, specializing in Japan’s beauty and cosmetics industry.

Centered on influencer marketing and social media strategies, the event shares insights into the key challenges faced by cosmetic brands, emerging trends, and practical success stories from the market.

CosmeLab highlights hands-on perspectives such as designing effective influencer collaborations, leveraging user-generated content (UGC), and implementing data-driven marketing strategies.

Through networking with brand representatives, marketers, and industry professionals, participants can gain a realistic understanding of current trends and dynamics within the Japanese beauty market.

For overseas brands and marketers looking to leverage influencer marketing in Japan’s cosmetics and beauty sector, CosmeLab offers valuable insights and meaningful connections.

⑤COSME Week

source : https://www.cosme-week.jp/tokyo/ja-jp.html#/

Dates: January 14–16, 2026

COSME Week Tokyo is one of the largest trade shows in Japan dedicated to the beauty and cosmetics industry, where influencer marketing and digital initiatives are also treated as key themes.

The event brings together cosmetic brands, OEM/ODM companies, raw material and packaging manufacturers, and marketing solution providers to share the latest industry trends and practical, business-oriented insights.

At the venue, visitors can explore exhibitions and seminars covering topics such as using influencers to build brand awareness and drive purchases, integrated SNS and e-commerce strategies, and D2C business models, with access to concrete, real-world examples.

For overseas brands and marketers seeking entry into the Japanese beauty market or exploring partnership opportunities, COSME Week Tokyo offers valuable business insights and strategic inspiration.

⑥ Hottolink, Inc.

source : https://www.hottolink.co.jp/event/20260114

Date: January 14, 2026

The Hottolink-hosted seminar is a specialized event focused on leveraging social media data and influencer marketing in the Japanese market.

The seminar explains, through real-world examples, how to analyze online word-of-mouth, user-generated content (UGC), and trend data from social media and apply these insights to effective marketing strategies.

Key topics include measuring the effectiveness of influencer campaigns, understanding the mechanisms behind social buzz, and designing data-driven marketing strategies that can be directly applied to practice.

This event provides valuable learning opportunities for corporate marketing professionals seeking to improve the precision of their SNS data-driven marketing, as well as overseas brands and marketers who want to better understand consumer behavior in Japan.

⑦Mimi Beauty Meets

source : https://mimitv.co.jp/lp/beautymeets_2026/

Dates: February 21–22, 2026

Beauty Meets 2026 is an influencer marketing event dedicated to the beauty and cosmetics sector. It brings together brands, agencies, influencers, and media professionals to share the latest promotional methods, success stories, and trends within the beauty industry.

The event covers practical topics such as designing effective influencer collaborations, using social media to drive brand awareness and purchasing behavior, and developing communication strategies that enhance brand value.

Through networking opportunities, participants can also connect directly with influential influencers and companies active in the Japanese beauty market.

For overseas brands and marketers looking to leverage influencer marketing in Japan’s beauty and cosmetics industry, Beauty Meets 2026 offers valuable insights and strong networking opportunities.

⑧ Women’s Empowerment Design EXPO

source : https://www.femtech-week.jp/hub/ja-jp/visit/business.html

Dates: May 27–29, 2026

Femtech Week / Femtech Tokyo is one of Japan’s leading business events dedicated to the femtech and women’s healthcare sectors.

The event brings together corporations, startups, medical and research institutions, and marketers to share the latest products, services, and marketing case studies focused on women’s life stages and health-related challenges.

At the venue, participants can gain practical, business-oriented insights into communication strategies using social media and influencers, D2C and brand-building approaches, and market development driven by data and analytics.

For overseas brands and marketers looking to understand Japan’s femtech market and female consumer trends, as well as explore collaboration and business opportunities, this event offers valuable information and networking opportunities.

⑨TOKYO AUTO SALON 2026

source : https://www.tokyoautosalon.jp/2026/

Dates: January 9–11, 2026

TOKYO AUTO SALON 2026 is one of Japan’s largest automotive customization and mobility culture events, and it has also gained attention as a platform for brand communication leveraging influencers and social media. Automakers, parts brands, and related companies gather to showcase the latest models, products, and lifestyle concepts.

At the venue, visitors can experience real-world examples of how offline events and digital marketing intersect, including influencer- and creator-led content amplification, as well as exhibition and experiential designs optimized for social media visibility.

For overseas brands and marketers seeking to understand experience-driven brand promotion in the Japanese market and influencer strategies rooted in lifestyle and culture, this event offers valuable insights and inspiration.

⑩ Marketing Week – Spring Edition

source : https://www.marketing-week.jp/spring/ja-jp.html

Dates: April 22–24, 2026

Marketing Week [Spring] is one of Japan’s largest comprehensive marketing trade shows, where influencer marketing and social media utilization are positioned as key themes.

The event brings together companies and marketers from a wide range of fields, including advertising, sales promotion, digital marketing, CRM, and data-driven marketing.

At the venue, the latest marketing methods, tools, and real-world case studies—including influencer campaigns—are showcased through exhibitions and seminars, providing practical insights that help address real business challenges.

For overseas brands and marketers looking to understand marketing trends in Japan and explore collaboration opportunities with agencies and technology providers, Marketing Week [Spring] is a highly valuable business event.

Turning Your Next Move in Japan into a Concrete Strategy

To succeed with influencer marketing in the Japanese market, it is essential to carry the insights and connections gained at events through to the execution phase.

Without a proper understanding of Japan’s unique culture, consumer psychology, and sensitivity to advertising expressions, even valuable opportunities may fail to deliver results.

hotice connects carefully selected Japanese influencers with international brands and supports influencer marketing strategies optimized specifically for the Japanese market.

From selecting creators aligned with your industry and objectives, to smooth multilingual communication, campaign planning and execution, and performance visualization, hotice provides end-to-end support. The company also has strong expertise in designing safe and compliant campaigns, with full consideration of Japanese laws, advertising regulations, and cultural context.

hotice is a global agency that has supported international brands in entering and growing within the Japanese market through PR initiatives leveraging celebrities and influencers.

If participating in events has left you wondering where to start in Japan, or if you want to clarify the best approach for your brand, please feel free to reach out.

We are here to help turn your next move in the Japanese market into a clear, actionable strategy.