By: RootSource Media,
The November 13–14 Japan International Hemp Expo will bring together more than 100 companies and organizations to examine regulatory changes, industrial applications, and international trade opportunities.
TOKYO, JAPAN | October 27, 2026
Japan’s hemp industry is entering a new phase as the Japan International Hemp Expo (JIHE 2026) returns to Tokyo November 13–14, bringing together business leaders, researchers, policymakers, and industry organizations from around the world.
Held at House of OMOTESANDO, the two-day event will feature more than 100 participating companies, organizations, and brands, with programming focused on industrial hemp, cannabinoids, medical applications, manufacturing, and international trade.
Organized by Asabis Inc. and co-organized by GREEN ZONE JAPAN, with support from the Asia International Hemp Federation (AIHF), JIHE 2026 comes as Japan implements significant changes to its cannabis and hemp regulations.
RootSource Media is an official media partner for JIHE 2026, providing coverage of the conference and developments across Japan’s hemp industry.
Japan’s Hemp Industry at a Turning Point
Hemp has been part of Japanese culture for centuries, used in textiles, ceremonial traditions, clothing, and agriculture. Despite that history, restrictive cannabis laws have limited commercial cultivation and processing for decades.
That is beginning to change.
Amendments to Japan’s cannabis legislation introduced a revised cultivation licensing framework in March 2025, along with new rules governing cannabis-derived products and their permitted uses.
The changes create opportunities for domestic growers, processors, manufacturers, and international suppliers, although businesses must still navigate strict licensing requirements, THC residue limits, and product compliance standards.
Japan’s approach reflects a broader regulatory debate over how to distinguish industrial hemp grown for fiber and grain from cannabis cultivated for cannabinoids and other resin-based applications.
For Japanese businesses, the challenge extends beyond cultivation. Building a competitive industry will require reliable genetics, processing infrastructure, manufacturing capacity, and established markets.
JIHE 2026 will examine these issues while connecting Japanese companies with international producers and technology providers.
International Industry Leaders Gather in Tokyo
The accompanying CannaCon conference will feature speakers from Japan, the United States, Canada, Thailand, Ghana, Portugal, Mongolia, and other markets.
Sessions will address cultivation, breeding, product safety, quality control, medical cannabis, regulatory developments, and the commercialization of hemp-derived products.
International participants include Paul Benhaim, co-founder of Bio-Smart Group and longtime hemp entrepreneur, along with representatives of the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC) and organizations involved in agriculture, manufacturing, and international trade.
Japanese businesses working in hemp foods, textiles, consumer products, and traditional applications will also participate, offering perspectives on both established markets and emerging commercial opportunities.
U.S.–Japan Hemp Trade Takes Center Stage
A featured discussion on Saturday, November 14, “The Future of the U.S. Hemp Industry: Government Support, Global Trade & Opportunities for Japan–U.S. Collaboration,” will examine trade opportunities and regulatory challenges facing the two countries.
Moderated by Morris Beegle, founder of Industrial Hemp International and international market development advisor to NIHC, the session will feature Doug Farquhar, NIHC board member; Veronica Frantz-Eggleston, NIHC chief of staff; Corby Miteff, president and CEO of KonopiUS; and Paul Benhaim, co-founder of Bio-Smart Group.
The panel will address U.S. hemp policy, government support, trade development, and opportunities for Japanese and American companies to establish commercial relationships.
Industrial hemp fiber, textiles, hemp foods and ingredients, agricultural technology, and processing equipment are among the sectors with potential for cooperation.
Japanese manufacturers could benefit from access to raw materials and processing expertise, while American producers are seeking additional markets for hemp fiber, grain, and manufactured products.
The discussion comes at a critical time for U.S. hemp policy.
Federal lawmakers and industry organizations continue to debate how to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoids while protecting agricultural production for fiber, grain, and other industrial uses. Changes to federal hemp definitions and THC restrictions could have significant consequences for domestic businesses and international trade.
For Japanese companies evaluating U.S. suppliers, regulatory certainty will be an important consideration in long-term purchasing and investment decisions.
Global Hemp and Cannabis Regulations Under the Microscope
Another November 14 panel will examine international regulatory and market developments and their potential impact on Japan.
Participants include Morris Beegle, Sharon Deidre Leyson (Dydy) of the Asia International Hemp Federation, Laura Ramos of CannaReporter, Dr. Mark G. Darko of Ghana’s Chamber of Cannabis Industry, and Bonita Money of the National Diversity & Inclusion Cannabis Alliance.
Although industrial hemp cultivation has expanded internationally, countries continue to take different approaches to THC limits, cannabinoid products, medical cannabis, and commercial licensing.
Thailand has undergone substantial regulatory changes affecting cannabis businesses, while European markets continue to navigate differing national requirements for hemp-derived products. The United States faces uncertainty over federal cannabinoid restrictions and the future of its CBD market.
These developments offer lessons for Japan as regulators and businesses consider how to expand domestic production while maintaining product safety and compliance standards.
The discussion will also address the practical challenges companies face when operating across markets with different regulations.
Industrial Hemp, Textiles, and Japan’s Manufacturing Economy
While cannabinoids and medical cannabis remain prominent topics, industrial hemp’s applications in textiles, food, and manufacturing will also receive attention at JIHE 2026.
Japan’s long history with hemp textiles provides a foundation for renewed commercial interest. Traditional fabrics have been valued for their durability, craftsmanship, and cultural significance.
Advances in fiber processing, cottonization, spinning, and textile manufacturing are opening opportunities for hemp in apparel, home furnishings, and industrial products.
A November 14 session focused on market development will include representatives from ASAFUKU, weavearth Linen and Hemp, Yawataya Isogoro, and other Japanese businesses bringing hemp-based products to consumers.
Japan’s established textile industry and advanced manufacturing capabilities could support the development of higher-value hemp products. Commercial expansion, however, will depend on consistent raw materials, suitable processing equipment, and competitive production costs.
These challenges are familiar across the global hemp industry, where investment in cultivation has often outpaced the infrastructure needed to turn harvested crops into marketable products.
Hemp foods and ingredients present another opportunity, particularly as international markets develop for hemp hearts, protein, oil, and other grain-derived products.
For Japanese companies, international sourcing and manufacturing partnerships may prove as important as expanding domestic cultivation.
International Hemp Consultation Precedes the Expo
JIHE activities begin November 12 with an international stakeholder consultation involving the Asia International Hemp Federation and industry representatives from multiple countries.
Discussions will focus on industrial hemp fiber and hemp-derived cannabinoids, including regulatory differences, commercial development, and international cooperation.
The main exhibition opens November 13 with a business-focused program, followed by a community-focused day on November 14.
For participating companies, the gathering offers opportunities to meet potential partners, evaluate Japan’s market, and examine trade prospects.
The discussions also come as the international hemp industry places greater emphasis on commercial fundamentals.
Despite substantial investment over the past decade, results have varied. Successful operations depend on securing buyers, establishing processing capacity, and producing materials that meet manufacturers’ specifications and price requirements.
These practical considerations will help determine how quickly Japan’s hemp sector can develop.
Looking Ahead
Japan’s changing hemp laws have created renewed interest in cultivation, manufacturing, and international trade, but regulatory reform alone will not build an industry.
Commercial growth will depend on investment, processing infrastructure, reliable supply chains, and products that can compete in established markets.
Japan brings a combination of agricultural heritage, technical expertise, and advanced manufacturing capabilities to the sector.
JIHE 2026 will offer an opportunity to assess the country’s progress, examine international business models, and identify where Japanese and overseas companies may find common ground.
RootSource Media will provide coverage from Tokyo, including regulatory developments, industrial hemp applications, and international trade opportunities.
Event Information
Japan International Hemp Expo (JIHE 2026)
Dates: November 13–14, 2026
Venue: House of OMOTESANDO, Tokyo, Japan
November 13: Business Day, 10:30 AM–10:00 PM
November 14: Community Day, 10:30 AM–6:00 PM
Admission: Free with advance registration
Official website: https://jihe.asabis.co.jp/en
Visitor registration: https://luma.com/hpztknzq
