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BATF leads UK trade mission at Interior Liefstlye Japan

BATF’s international team is in Tokyo this week leading a UK trade mission with the Department for Business and Trade at Interior Lifestyle Japan, bringing together 15 UK brands for a strong start to the show.

BATF’s international team is in Tokyo this week, leading a UK trade mission at Interior Lifestyle Japan in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade—bringing the very best of British design and craftsmanship to one of the world’s most influential lifestyle markets.

At the heart of the mission are 15 carefully curated UK brands, each chosen for their distinct offer and strong potential within the Japanese market. From day one, the programme has been designed to maximise opportunity, beginning with an insightful workshop at Playhouse, followed by a visit to Rakuten—one of Japan’s leading digital marketplaces. Together, these experiences have provided valuable market insight while setting a confident and forward-looking tone for the week ahead.

Momentum has built quickly across the delegation, with a strong sense of energy and collaboration already evident. Conversations on the ground have been overwhelmingly positive, generating promising early leads and opening the door to new commercial opportunities. Just as importantly, the mission has created a valuable platform for relationship-building—bringing brands, partners and stakeholders together in a shared international environment.

The opening day of Interior Lifestyle Japan delivered an encouraging start, with strong footfall and clear interest in the UK Pavilion. Exhibitors reported high levels of engagement, reflecting both the appeal of British products and the growing appetite within the Japanese market for distinctive, design-led brands.

With two days still to go, the focus now shifts to building on this early success—deepening conversations, strengthening connections and converting interest into long-term opportunities. The team looks forward to maintaining this momentum as the mission continues, showcasing the strength and diversity of UK design on an international stage.