UK trade missions aim to boost British music in Japan and Australia
Two upcoming major music industry trade missions are set to take place in Japan and Australia this August, organised by the BPI, the Department for Business and Trade and regional partners, offering music businesses an open door to explore business opportunities in two of the world’s largest music economies.
Japan Trade Mission: 13th – 20th August 2026, Tokyo
A UK music industry trade mission to Japan will be taking place from 13th – 20th August 2026, with applications now being accepted. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT), in partnership with the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), Music Tech Japan and Creative Man (Tokyo), are organising the mission, which will take place in Tokyo. The event will include delegates attending the Summer Sonic Festival. There will also be a reception at the British Embassy in Tokyo for delegates and invited Industry guests.
According to the IFPI’s latest Global Music Report, Japan was the second-biggest music market globally with revenues up by 8.9% in 2025. Asia as a whole saw revenue grow by 10.9% and accounted for 45.1% of global physical revenues, with Japan being noted as the world’s largest physical music market.
The mission will act as a catalyst for collaboration, exploration and expansion of the British music industry in Japan. It will include a programme of education, networking, B2B meetings, music company site visits and other music related activities.
Artists, managers, promoters, record labels, music publishers, digital distribution companies, festival bookers/directors/organisers and promoters, covering all genres of music are being invited to participate, and the mission organisers will be tailoring certain aspects of the program to suit all delegates.
Mission registration is just £200.00 per delegate including access to the Summer Sonic Festival, but please note that all travel, accommodation and other costs will need to be covered by yourself. Some of the activities being planned in Tokyo will include site visits, relevant to the delegation as well as several opportunities for B2B meetings and networking with opinion leaders and industry professionals.
The application form for the Japan mission can be downloaded here.
The deadline for applications is the 6th July 2026.
Australia Trade Mission: 28th August – 5th September 2026, Brisbane and the Gold Coast
A trade mission to Australia will then take place from the 28th August – 5th September 2026, with applications now being accepted.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT), in partnership with the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) are organising this music mission to Australia, which will take place in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The event will include delegates attending the BIGSOUND Conference in Brisbane with an additional opportunity to connect with the Australian Music Industry in the Gold Coast.
According to the IFPI’s latest Global Music Report, recorded music revenues in Australasia reached US $623M and grew by 1.5% in 2025. Australia grew revenues by 1.2% in the same period with New Zealand also growing by 3%. BPI’s own data shows Australia is the fourth largest export market for UK recorded music globally.
BIGSOUND is the Southern hemisphere’s biggest music industry event, where some of the world’s most influential tastemakers and adventurous music lovers come to discover the future of music over three electric nights in Brisbane every September. Attracting delegates from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, the UK and the USA, BIGSOUND is made more vibrant by international guests.
BIGSOUND is a gateway for Australian and British music industries to build meaningful connections while celebrating the ongoing relationship between our countries. Britain will be a featured country at BIGSOUND 2026, strengthening our relationship through a curated program of industry events, networking opportunities, and cultural exchange supported by the British Phonographic Industry and the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade. In addition to a series of curated events aimed at giving the UK delegates maximum impact at the event we will help curate a series of meetings per delegation member, organised by the BIGSOUND team.
The Gold Coast component of the mission will provide delegates with exclusive access to one of Australia's fastest-growing music cities and a unique opportunity to connect with the region's music, screen and creative industries ecosystem ahead of BIGSOUND.
Hosted by Invest Gold Coast, the program will showcase the city's Music Plan, investment in live music infrastructure, export development initiatives and growing reputation as a destination for music business, touring, and creative industry collaboration. Delegates will have the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, venues, artists and businesses while exploring future trade, partnership and market development opportunities.
Artists, managers, promoters, record labels, music publishers, digital distribution companies, festival bookers/directors/organisers and promoters, covering all genres of music are being invited to participate in the mission - the organisers will be tailoring certain aspects of the program to suit all delegates.
Mission registration is just £200.00 per delegate including access to the BIGSOUND Festival, but please note that all travel, accommodation and other costs will need to be covered by yourself. Some of the activities being planned in Brisbane and Gold Coast will include site visits relevant to the delegation, as well as several opportunities for B2B meetings and networking with opinion leaders and industry professionals.
The application form for the Australia mission can be downloaded here.
The deadline for applications is the 8th July 2026.