50,000 Visitors Expected at Japan Expo Malaysia 2026

Japan Expo Malaysia (JEMY) 2026 will return for its seventh edition from 24 to 26 July 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), bringing together Japanese culture, business, tourism, entertainment and innovation, all under one roof. 

Featured as one of the official events under the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 calendar of events, the three-day expo will offer free admission to the public, making Japanese culture and experiences more accessible than ever. 

Japan Expo Malaysia is Malaysia’s largest all-Japan event. The inclusion of JEMY 2026 as part of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 further strengthens the event’s role as a major hub for tourism exchange, highlighting Malaysia’s growing partnership with Japan and offering a unique dual-tourism perspective.

Visitors this year can look forward to more than 50 exhibitors showcasing authentic Japanese cuisine, travel destinations, education opportunities, lifestyle products, anime and cosplay, technology, arts and cultural experiences. The event also continues to provide a platform for Japanese and Malaysian companies with opportunities to establish partnerships, introduce products and expand their market presence. 

The expo is expected to attract 50,000 visitors this year from across Malaysia and the region, further cementing its position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading Japanese lifestyle and cultural festivals.

“We are excited to welcome everyone back to Japan Expo Malaysia 2026,” said Wong Wai Jo, Managing Director of Siam Connection Sdn Bhd. ” This year’s event is designed to bring people closer to Japan through culture, entertainment, tourism and business. With free admission this year as compared to last year and a stronger curated programme, we hope more Malaysians will visit the expo to discover the many facets of Japan”

One of the major highlights of this year’s edition will be a special opening ceremony performance celebrating the enduring friendship between Malaysia and Japan. Award-winning Malaysian singer-songwriter and entertainer MimiFly will share the stage with renowned Japanese performer Naomichi Hanazono, whose contemporary take on traditional Japanese performing arts has earned him a strong following among younger audiences. Japan’s rich cultural heritage will also come alive through captivating Awa Odori dance performances from Tokushima Prefecture.

H.E. SHIKATA Noriyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, said, “Japan Expo Malaysia reminds us that the strongest friendships between nations are built through people. Every conversation, cultural experience and new discovery brings Japan and Malaysia closer together, and I hope this year’s event inspires even more people, especially the younger generation, to deepen that connection.”

This year’s expo will also feature a major entertainment lineup of more than 20 Japanese and local artists performing over the three-day event, offering a diverse program that includes traditional performances, instrumental showcases, and Japan’s contemporary J-Pop music and idol scene. Amongst the J-Pop line-up are Banzai Japan, Kotomen, Nakano Himawari, Rina Hime, KLP48 and many more.

Two exclusive concerts will also headline the entertainment programme. Japanese alternative band Atarayo will perform on Friday, 24 July, while internationally acclaimed and renowned idol group AKB48 will take the stage on Saturday, 25 July. These are the only ticketed concerts during the expo with ticket prices starting at RM180. Tickets are now available for purchase at www.etix.my.

All other stage performances and concerts will be free to attend with advance online registration, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide range of live entertainment throughout the weekend.

The programme will also include special recognitions through the Japan Expo Malaysia Awards 2026, where nine outstanding individuals from various fields and organisations will be honoured for their significant contributions in strengthening Japan–Malaysia cultural and business ties. 

In addition, the expo will host a major Cosplay Competition with a total prize pool of RM10,000, bringing together cosplay enthusiasts from across Malaysia. Inspired by Japanese pop culture, cosplay involves dressing up and role-playing as characters from anime, manga, video games and other popular media, and has grown into a vibrant creative community. Participants can pre-register by scanning the QR code on the official Japan Expo Malaysia Instagram page.

JEMY 2026 is organised by Siam Connection Sdn Bhd and G-Yu Creative Co. Ltd, proudly supported by the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur, Tourism Malaysia (Visit Malaysia 2026), and the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB)

The event is open to the public from 24 to 26 July 2026 at Hall 6, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Admission is free. 

For more event information, visit www.japanexpomalaysia.com, and follow Japan Expo Malaysia on Facebook and Instagram for updates.