FOODEX JAPAN 2025: Highest International Participation in Expo’s History [MICE News]

Opening on Tuesday March 11, FOODEX JAPAN 2025, Japan’s largest international cuisine exhibition, is being held at the Tokyo Big Sight. Celebrating its 50^th anniversary this spring, the world-renowned trade fair is continuing its tradition of promoting unrivalled business success for both exhibitors and visitors. This edition, the event is boasting an unprecedented level of international participation, featuring 2,000 companies exhibiting from abroad, which is approximately twice the number of Japanese exhibitors. On each of the first two days, almost 20,000 attendees gathered to discover the latest trends in food, beverages, and processing machinery from across the globe. Leading Japanese MICE news outlet POP Inc.’s reporters were on the scene to learn what makes FOODEX Japan so enticing to foreign exhibitors.

Divided into National Pavilions, each country is able to display its own unique charm and characteristic products. Out of a total of over 40 pavilions, the countries with the largest representation are China, Italy, Taiwan, and Spain. Nevertheless, though their areas may be smaller in size, other countries are not easily overshadowed, and each exhibitor has their own story to tell.

Indonesia: CV Cariza Khansa Pratama is showcasing its banana chips mixed with various flavors, including cheese, which is surprisingly a popular combination with bananas in Indonesia. The pavilion is organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and sponsored by Bank Indonesia, explained Tokyo-based public policy student and Bank Indonesia intern Amelia. In addition, Bank Indonesia helps support Indonesian SMEs in international expansion and exporting to Japan.
CV Cariza Khansa Pratama homepage: https://smesta.kemenkopukm.go.id/ukm/bananania-keripik-pisang-aneka-rasa

New Caledonia: New Caldeonia Export Service (NCES) is the sole exhibitor hailing from New Caledonia, a French island territory in the South Pacific. NCES is promoting their “Lagoon Salt,” which is collected sustainably from sun-dried salt farms fed by the UNESCO world natural heritage lagoons of New Caledonia. Japan coordinator Taichi Stanny Furukawa elaborated that Lagoon Salt is healthier than regular table salt because it is made from 100% natural ingredients. Next, sommelier and wine educator Yumi Furukawa introduced their locally-crafted alcoholic beverage lineup. The popular Manta Citron is a refreshing lemon-flavored fruity beer that has been recognized across the globe. On the stronger side, NCES offers their iconic Blue Gin, which as the name suggests is a vibrant blue color due to the Asian Pigeonwings flower from which the spirit is made. Furukawa demonstrated how when mixed with tonic, the Blue Gin changes to an unexpected color: pink!
NCES homepage: https://www.s-tym.com/nces

Turkey: RDM Trade specializes in importing and exporting chicken products and animal feed. The company is taking advantage of the Turkey pavilion to exhibit for the first time at FOODEX in the hopes of securing connections in order to break into the Japanese market. Sales Executive Seyhmus Kacan was optimistic about their potential for success, revealing that RDM had already gained several customers just during the morning of the first day.
RDM Trade homepage: https://rdmtrade.com/en/

Armenia: Organized by the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia, this pavilion is located in the FOODEX WINE section of the event. Throughout the multitude of brands being presented, Koor wines by Highland Cellars are the only Armenian wines available for purchase in Japan at this time, explained Commercial Director Zori Mkrtichyan. Despite being relatively less-known, the pavilion has been experiencing a constant influx of visitor traffic, and exhibitors are hopeful that more Armenian wines will soon find a home in Japan.
Highland Cellars homepage: https://koor.am/

Slovakia: MIGHTY WINE, an importer specializing in Slovakian wine, is representing the country’s pavilion in the FOODEX Global Wines Exhibit Zone. Offering tastings of several Slovakian wines, Wine Advisor and Sommelier Yoichi Ooka clarified that it has proven difficult for the country’s wines to enter the restaurant market in Tokyo since Slovakia is not as well-known as other wine-making regions. Currently they have only been made available at one wine bar in Ginza. Ooka added that FOODEX is crucial for Slovakia because it allows local sommeliers a chance to try the wines, though he worries that the exhibition’s Tuesday through Friday dates may not be optimal for restaurant professionals to visit.
MIGHTY WINE homepage: https://mighty-wine.com/

Mexico: San Cosme Mezcal is being imported to Japan by JDOX Co., Ltd. Though San Cosme is produced in Mexico, the owners are actually based out of Germany. According to a San Cosme representative, the German parent company originally began by exporting Jagermeister to Mexico before creating their own mezcal. Now, after partnering with JDOX, San Cosme has become the best-selling mezcal in Japan. 2025 is San Cosme’s third year participating in FOODEX, and the exhibitors are delighted with the visibility of their booth compared to previous years.
San Cosme homepage: https://sancosme.mx/

Hawaii: Kuleana Rum Works is exhibiting for the first time at a Japanese trade fair to test the demand for their all-natural rum Agricole. Distilled from native Hawaiian heirloom sugarcane, Kuleana does not use any added sweeteners or flavors in crafting its four varieties of rum. And the dedication to perfection has paid off; Kuleana’s “Hokulei” blend was named Best American Aged Rum in 2024. Building off this success, the company has decided to attempt expansion outside the United States, said Vice President of Hospitality Keith Mallini, and chose Japan as a likely contender due to the proliferation of Hawaiian-themed bars and restaurants and the general Japanese affinity for Hawaiian culture.
Kuleana Rum Works homepage: https://kuleanarum.com/

FOODEX JAPAN 2025 will continue until Friday, March 13. Admission is free of charge for food, beverage, and hospitality industry professionals after completion of online pre-registration.

JAPAN SHOP 2025: Innovations in Retail Technology at Tokyo Big Sight [MICE News]

From March 4 to 7, Japan’s largest retail technology exhibition, JAPAN SHOP 2025, was held at the Tokyo Big Sight. Spanning the venue’s entire East and South exhibition halls, JAPAN SHOP ran alongside the Architecture + Construction Materials Expo, LIGHTING FAIR, RETAIL TECH JAPAN, SECURITY SHOW, Building Maintenance CONNECT, Good Appliance Expo Tokyo, and the Japan International Franchise Show. By the third day of the event, over 100,000 attendees had visited, hoping to discover the latest innovations in efficient store systems, shop fixtures, and commercial space design. Reporters from leading Japanese MICE news outlet POP Inc. waded through the packed aisles to learn about the hottest trends.

For an environmentally-friendly way to increase efficiency in inventory management, whywaste japan introduced its “Expiry Management” app. The smartphone app logs the expiration dates of products and automatically sends notifications when said dates are near. Therefore, employees can immediately know which products need to be marked down or disposed of each day, as opposed to being required to check the entire stock. Customer Support Director Kankuro Arisumi elaborated that Expiry Management users have experienced an overall 80% decrease in work time, as well as a 40% decrease in food waste.
whywaste japan official homepage: https://www.whywaste-japan.jp/

Standing out amongst the store display manufacturers, OnTheWall Inc. creates plastered and painted walls for all types of commercial and residential facilities. Based out Shizuoka, the company uses Italian materials for their products. OnTheWall’s booth at JAPAN SHOP 2025 was abuzz with attendees experiencing hands-on the delicate yet strong balance of their craftmanship. OnTheWall representatives explained that the manufacturer has been exhibiting at JAPAN SHOP for five years straight, and the event is the perfect opportunity for them to meet face-to-face with both new and returning customers.
OnTheWall official homepage: https://onthewall.co.jp/

Meanwhile at the Japan International Franchise Show, Kids-UP Co., Ltd. was drawing in visitors with informational sessions for their “Vision-UP” service. Kids-UP currently operates a chain of English language schools for children with several dozen locations throughout eastern Japan. In addition to searching for investors to help expand their schools to other regions, the company utilized JAPAN SHOP in order to promote the various support roles offered by Vision-UP. These assist other educational facilities in improving their techniques, such as by sharing school management knowhow, training staff, and providing educational software and tools. Despite worries about inclement weather during the exhibition, booth staff was delighted by the heavy visitor traffic.
Vision-UP official homepage: https://vision-up.biz/en

Managed by Pizzicato Design Inc., Jelly Jelly Cafe leads the Japanese board game cafe market. What has brought about its success, Omiya branch manager explained, is the affordability. With the purchase of only one drink, guests are able to play boards games for a total of 5 hours, and bringing in food is permitted. Furthermore, not only is a vast collection of international games available to be played, but Pizzicato Design even produces their own board games.
Jelly Jelly Cafe official homepage: https://jellyjellycafe.com/

The next JAPAN SHOP is scheduled to be held from July 10 to 11 at INTEX Osaka in the Kansai region. Admission is free to all industry professionals.

Ginza Sony Park Celebrates Grand Opening

On January 26^th, the Sony Group held the grand opening of “Ginza Sony Park,” the final form of its project to rebuild the Sony Building in Ginza, Tokyo.

The Ginza Sony Park Project, based on the concept of “a facility open to the city,” aimed to reinvent the Sony Building, which has watched the growth of the Ginza district for over 50 years.

No tenants or permanent stores will be implemented. Each floor will offer activities that change over time.

For example, the B3 floor will be used for casual dining, and “blank” spaces throughout the building, such as the aboveground atrium, will be places where people can freely stroll or rest.

Sony also wanted its building process to be unique, so the first phase was an experiment in which the new building was not constructed immediately, but rather the partially demolished building was turned into a park from August 2018 to September 2021.

Afterwards, the second phase of the demolition and new construction was resumed, with the project being completed in August 2024.

By deliberately keeping the building low, at about half the height of the average Ginza building, Sony created a blank space and a new landscape in a city with a high concentration of buildings.

Name: Ginza Sony Park
Location: 5-3-1 Ginza, Chuo Ward, Tokyo
Floor configuration: 5 above ground, 4 below ground
Site area: 707.42 m²Total floor space: 4,357.49 m²Height: 33.9 m

Tokyo Gift Show Spring 2025: Strong International Prescence at Tokyo Big Sight [MICE News]

On Wednesday February 12, the 99^th Tokyo International Gift Show kicked off at the Tokyo Big Sight. Held alongside the 17^th LIFE X DESIGN exhibition, the 37^th Gourmet Show, and the 19^th LIVING & DESIGN exhibition, the Gift Show is Japan’s largest trade fair, featuring 3,000 exhibiting companies and covering approximately 100,000 square meters of booth space. Japan’s leading MICE News outlet POP Inc. spoke with exhibitors to explore the innovations in the gift industry.

The Tokyo International Gift Show exhibition hall is truly a delight for the senses. Visitors are whisked away to a new world with each aisle they enter. Bright, eye-catching licensed merchandise exhibits of beloved characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Tom and Jerry that feature virtually every neon color known to mankind are juxtaposed with the lush, green jungles of gardening and floral exhibits. Fragrant perfumes and beef sizzling on the grill offer feasts for the nostrils. And the lulling tunes of hand-crafted wooden guitars are contrasted with the upbeat tones of children’s xylophones.

International participation is at an all-time high this year. A total of 342 international exhibitors from 14 countries and regions are exhibiting, with some companies coming from as far as Spain, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Outdoor recreation brand Waboba Inc. hails from Sweden and has arrived at to the Tokyo International Gift Show in order to showcase their patented Moon Ball, the “highest bouncy ball on Earth.” The company’s booth features a giant gumball machine full of Moon Balls that draws a constant crowd. Global Sales Manager Jonatan Fällman Olander explained that this Gift Show marks Waboba’s first time ever exhibiting at a trade fair in Japan. After participating in international exhibitions throughout Europe and North America, the company is looking to expand into the Japanese market, and Olander has high expectations after a successful first day.
Waboba official homepage: https://waboba.com/

From Taiwan, Tailloon Balloons Co., Ltd. is a balloon manufacturer that produces the country’s most prominent line of balloon products, Prolloon. Tailloon exhibits at two Japanese trade fairs every year: the Tokyo International Gift Show’s spring and autumn editions, said representative Scott Yu. Compared to other international fairs across the world in which the company also exhibits, the Gift Show provides a consistently good turnout, and Yu added that there had already been significant traffic by the Tailloon booth on day one.
Tailloon Balloons official homepage: https://www.prolloon.com/

By far the country with the most exhibitors, however, is China, with a whopping 273 companies. Traveling from the southern metropolis of Zhongshan, F.F. Commerce and Trade Co., Ltd. is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that predominantly produces candles at their self-owned and operated factory. At the Gift Show, the company is showcasing their “omamori” style charms that each incorporate an original fragrance. F.F. is able to exhibit at Japan fairs many times per year due to assistance from their Japanese agent ForAsu.

Though the international representation is certainly impressive, Japanese companies at the Gift Show are equally hard at work presenting new and exciting trends to shake up the status quo.
TAKEO Co., Ltd. is revolutionizing the world of insect cuisine. The company creates a wide variety food and beverages made with protein from insects, and some fan favorites include salted whole-insect snacks and lollipops with insects fossilized inside. At their cafe in Asakusa, Tokyo, TAKEO offers such delicacies as silk moth meatball curry, cricket ice cream, and even giant water bug beer. Chief Sustainability Officer Shinjiro Saeki recommended the sweet and fruity Water Bug Cider, which is made from the similarly fruity extract of the insect and has been making waves among the booth visitors. Popularizing consumption of insects as an alternative protein source may be an important step towards ameliorating the world food crisis.
TAKEO official website: https://takeo.tokyo/

Based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Kishi’s Co., Ltd. produces party goods for every occasion. Their booth is decorated to look like a traditional Japanese festival with a touch of flair and showcases the company’s signature festival stalls. The stalls are lightweight and portable, and they feature popular children’s carnival games such as target shooting, yoyo fishing, and ring toss. Sales Planning Division’s Tomoyuki Fukuyama elaborated that Kishi’s can also custom-make original stall designs for their customers.
Kishi’s official homepage: https://www.kishis.co.jp/index_en.html

The 99^th Tokyo International Gift Show Spring 2025 will continue until Friday, February 14. Admission is free for all industry professionals.

HCJ 2025: Restaurant and Hotel Show Satisfies Tastebuds and Eyeballs at Tokyo Big Sight [MICE News]

On Tuesday, February 4, Japan’s largest hotel and restaurant trade show, HCJ 2025, commenced at the Tokyo Big Sight. HCJ is the gathering of 3 major exhibitions: HoteRes Japan – The International Hotel & Restaurant Show, Caterex Japan – The Exhibition for the Catering Industries, and the Japan Food Service Equipment Show. The 2025 edition features over 850 exhibitors across 20,000 square meters of booth space showcasing products and services benefitting hotel and restaurant operators. A total of 12,068 industry professionals visited HCJ on the opening day, and approximately 60,000 attendees are expected throughout the 4-day event. Reporters from Japan MICE media outlet POP Inc. spoke with exhibitors to uncover the latest trends.

Immediately upon entering the Big Sight’s East exhibition halls, visitors are greeted with an array of scents, from crispy potato croquettes straight from the fryer to fresh linens on hotel beds. The Big Sight venue offers a unique mixture of comfort and relaxation with exciting live cooking demonstrations and energetic foodservice robots.
Speaking of food, among all of the culinary delights being presented at HCJ 2025, the prevalence of waffles stands out in particular. Only to mention a few examples, Suntec Corporation is exhibiting its waffle batter dispenser and waffle maker for use in cafes and restaurants, complete with unorthodox toppings such as salsa and Bolognese sauce. Gibier Inc. is presenting premium Belgian waffle Danish pastries. And the American Waffle Company is offering its Golden Malted waffle and pancake flour mix and personal waffle maker.

However, Japanese sweets are not content to take a back seat to their international counterparts. Rex Very Co., Ltd. an Asakusa-based ice cream manufacturer, is showcasing its wide variety of gelato and Japanese snacks. Furthermore, the company is using HCJ 2025 as a platform to reveal its new “First Flush Tea” product line. Originating from Rex Very’s own matcha sweets cafe named Kaminari Issa, First Flush Tea provides individual tea bags containing the cafe’s original matcha blend, as well as other varieties of green tea. Designer Mayumi Matsuzaki explained that the tea bags are perfect for use in hotels as a welcome drink for guests, or placed in lounges or on buffets.
Rex Very official homepage: https://rex-very.com/

A newcomer to HCJ this year, Lusciouz is making a big impression in the glassware sector. The manufacturer has dedicated its booth entirely to exhibiting its decanters, sommelier corkscrew knifes, and its pre-release “HOTARU” line of crystal wine glasses. “Hotaru” is the Japanese word for “firefly,” which denotes the glasses’ signature characteristic: their glowing stems. When a HOTARU glass is placed under a spotlight, the stem becomes a luminous beam that is striking to behold. Each glass is meticulously hand-crafted and stands out remarkably in bar or restaurant settings.
Lusciouz is a division of Fukuoka-based Adaptrend Co., Ltd., the distributor of the well-known “Shogun Candy” Japanese snack boxes, which have become widely popular internationally. CEO Akimasa Okazaki elaborated that at this point, Shogun Candy has accumulated the highest number of reviews for Japanese goods on US Amazon. He hopes that unveiling Lusciouz products will allow them to also gain traction in Tokyo as the company works toward a full release.
Lusciouz official homepage: https://lusciouz.jp/

In addition to products, services are playing a prominent role in the exhibition as well. Pasona Group Inc. is introducing its Avatar Work Service, employing an animated avatar staff member to assist customers. A Pasona Group operator controls the avatar remotely in order to check in visitors at hotel reception desk, answer inquiries at an information booth, or fills in for any number of other roles. Avatar Solution Team Member Mari Fujimoto explained that since one operator can act as multiple avatars at one time, the service is critical in mitigating the stresses caused in light of recent labor shortages. The Avatar Work Service also offers personnel training and career counseling for employees who may find it easier to discuss more openly with an avatar.
Pasona Group official homepage: https://avatarwork.pasonagroup.co.jp/

Custom art solutions provider K ART Corp. is offering interior design for commercial facilities based around creating the optimal art to “harmonize” with their spaces. From total design consulting of an entire interior concept from scratch, to implementing art installations that complement company branding, K ART has solutions for every situation. At HCJ 2025, the company’s art gallery has created an interior design space that allows visitors to immerse themselves firsthand into the harmony that their art provides.
K ART official homepage: https://k-art-tokyo.com/

HCJ 2025 – HoteRes Japan, Caterex Japan, and the Japan Food Service Equipment Show will continue until Friday, February 7 at the Tokyo Big Sight. Admission is free for all industry professionals with pre-registration.

Shopping Center Business Fair 2025: 37,470 Visitors During 3-day Event

From January 22 to 24, the Japan Council of Shopping Centers held the 49^th Japan Shopping Center (SC) National Convention, Japan’s largest SC industry event, at Pacifico Yokohama. The convention consisted of SC Business Fair 2025 and the 30^th National SC Customer Service Roleplaying Contest.

The number of visitors to SC Business Fair 2025 totaled 36,920 throughout the 3-day trade exhibition held in the Pacifico Yokohama exhibition hall (previous year’s result: 36,750). In addition, approximately 550 people participated in the Seminar and Social Gathering that was held on January 22 (previous year’s result: approximately 500).

Furthermore, a total of 2,000 visitors attended the 30^th National SC Customer Service Roleplaying Contest on 24 in the conference center main hall (previous year’s result: 2,000). Overall, the 49^th Japan Shopping Center National Convention finished with 39,420 participants (previous year’s result: approximately 39,250).

The grand prize winner of the 30^th National SC Customer Service Roleplaying Contest was Kyushu and Okinawa delegate Ryutaro Isobe from the Bandai Namco CrossStore Hakata in Canal City Hakata, who shone as Japan’s number one customer service representative. This was the first time since the contest’s inception that an amusement facility staff member had won the grand prize. Isobe was also presented with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award.

The 50^th edition of the Japan Shopping Center National Convention is planned to be held from January 21 to 23, 2026.

LIVeNT 2025: Live Entertainment Expo Opens at Makuhari Messe [MICE News]

On Wednesday, January 22, LIVeNT 2025, Japan’s premier trade fair for the live entertainment and events industry, kicked off at the Makuhari Messe. Despite the change to new dates and venue, the exhibition halls were just as packed as ever with attendees excited to discover the newest innovations in event technology and solutions. LIVeNT is proving that business exhibitions don’t have to be all business! Visitors can be seen enjoying fresh-spun cotton candy, being immersed in a VR rollercoaster experience, or even interacting with a giant animatronic dinosaur. Leading Japan MICE news outlet POP Inc. was on the scene to learn more about the hottest trends.

Likely the most eye (and ear) catching booth at this year’s LIVeNT is that run by Highest Crew Inc. Highest Crew offers solutions for all aspects of organizing BtoB and BtoC events, while focusing on 3 overarching areas: “Event Management,” “Imaging Technology,” and “Participant Engagement.”
During the show, the company is showcasing its capacity for creating exciting live entertainment. Its booth consists of a massive 2-story DJ tower complete with a stage that stretches high above the surrounding exhibits. At regular intervals throughout the 3 days of the event, Highest Crew is using this stage to demonstrate DJ shows, dance group performances, and professional wrestling matches. The first wrestling exhibition match plus DJ combo has already proved to be a big hit amongst visitors, culminating in uproarious applause after the finale’s swan dive off of a ladder. Both music and cheers from the Highest Crew booth reverberate throughout the venue.
Highest Crew Inc. official homepage: https://highest-crew.co.jp/

For a more hands-on event experience, RENORY Co., Ltd. offers live animal educational events aimed at families with young children. These events feature a wide variety of animals such as rodents, reptiles, fish, and insects that are all able to be petted. The company has collaborated with theme parks, shopping, malls, and even hotels, and it boasts that organizing animal petting events are beneficial to these facilities by bringing in new customers, raising customers’ satisfaction levels, lengthening the time that customers spend in the establishment, and improving overall brand image.
LIVeNT attendees can experience the appeal for themselves firsthand, as a number of RENORY’s resident animals are available for petting at its booth. Sales Manager Nao Okuda notes that the large beetles are the most loved by children, and in particular the Hercules beetle is the star of the show.
RENORY Co., Ltd. official homepage: https://www.renory.jp/

IKUSA Inc. organizes events for large groups and corporate gatherings with an emphasis on fun! Offering over 100 types of in-person and online activities, IKUSA’s main objectives are promoting team-building, recreation, socializing, and disaster preparedness. The company also holds training sessions for businesses that teach useful skills such as logical thinking through the use of game-like programs.
At LIVeNT, IKUSA’s programming features a demonstration of the company’s “Warring States” activities, including its most popular “Chambara Battle.” Complete with attendee participation, players wield soft, flexible katanas to partake in “chambara,” a style of traditional Japanese sword fighting. After a spirited introduction by IKUSA “Fun Consultant” Yae, who was clad in historical armor, participants battled it out until only the last man was standing. After the dust had settled and both players and spectators were thoroughly entertained, Yae further explained that since Chambara Battle is easy to understand and accessible to all ages and genders, the company regularly holds battles at local festivals around Tokyo that anyone is welcome to join.
IKUSA Inc. official homepage: https://ikusa.jp/

In addition to services, event merchandise is also a hot topic at LIVeNT. Amongst exhibitors promoting multi-colored penlights, acrylic stands for polaroid pictures, and magnetic pouches for smartphones, CASTEM Co., Ltd. stands out with its revolutionary new product line.
Goods manufacturer CASTEM is exhibiting its “History Maker” line, which captures people’s likeness with 3D modelling. Through use of its Body Casting technology, the company creates life-size metal statues of hands and feet by using a mold of the actual limb, usually for professional athletes and celebrities. Deput Chief of Sales Kanae Maki elaborates that statues of boxers’ fists and soccer players’ feet have been exceptionally popular.
Furthermore, CASTEM produces lifelike reproductions of celebrities by 3D scanning them and then 3D printing plastic figurines. No painting is required as the figurines are 3D printed in full color, and since scanning each pose takes only a second to capture, built-to-order manufacturing is also possible.
CASTEM Co., Ltd.’s History Maker official homepage: https://www.history-maker.jp/en/

LIVeNT 2025 will continue to be held until Friday, January 24 at the Makuhari Messe. Live entertainment and event industry professionals can enter the exhibition free of charge.

Inter BEE 2024: On the Forefront of Media Industry Innovation

[Leading Japanese MICE news outlet POP Inc. Event Report]

On Wednesday, November 13, Japan’s largest comprehensive media trade fair Inter BEE 2024 opened at the Makuhari Messe’s halls 2 through 8. Over a 3-day period, a total of 1,058 exhibitors will showcase the latest innovations in video production, broadcasting, entertainment, lighting, audio, and every type of media solution. On the floor, massive camera rigs loom above the booth walls and enclosed audio booths are filled floor to ceiling with variously sized speakers. Many of the exhibitors even offer hands-on experiences, allowing visitors to test cameras on sets with live models. Reporters from MICE news outlet POP Inc. spoke with exhibitors to discover the latest trends.

One field that is attracting a good deal of visitor attention at Inter BEE is the emerging technology of extended reality (XR). XR combines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in order to create experiences in which the virtual world and the real world interact with each other.
Hashilus Co., Ltd., a producer of interactive devices, is offering visitors the chance to partake in its “GAZTUNT XR” demo, which consists of donning a headset and viewing several short experiences that demonstrate the possible applications of XR. These include a live show by a virtual idol, a guided tour of the Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa, and a showcase of popular Japanese cuisine. Furthermore, the true piece de resistance of the exhibit is decidedly the “Kickway” motion simulator. The Kickway comprises of a VR headset and a standing platform with handlebars, reminiscent of a segway, that shakes, rumbles, and blows wind at the user in order to further the realism of the experience. Operation and maintenance manager Takashi Iwamoto noted that people who normally become motion sick while using VR should be able to comfortably enjoy XR because it allows them to retain their grasp on the real world surrounding them.
Hashilus recommends that XR be used for exhibiting products that would normally be too large to showcase at an event. Amusement centers and museums can also rent Kickways for entertainment or education experiences.
Hashilus Co., Ltd.: https://hashilus.com/

Innovator One Co., Ltd. is promoting their original brand “Miramage,” the word being a portmanteau of the English “miracle” and “image” combined with the Japanese word for “future”. Innovator One develops a wide variety of devices capable of 4K resolution output, such as television screens, AI video cameras with facial recognition, and casting devices that stream 4K footage from a laptop to a screen in real time.
In addition, the highlight of Innovator One’s Inter BEE exhibit is the 3D Light Field Display, which shows impressive 3D images that are visible with the naked eye. The 3D screens range from an 11-inch tablet to a 98-inch flat screen television, and can be used in advertising, digital model creation, or even during live video calls with loved ones. The Light Field Display at Inter BEE surprised passing visitors with its vividness as they walked by, many stopping in their tracks as the 3D image came into view and proceeding to admire it from various angles.
Innovator Co., Ltd.: https://www.innovator-one.com/3d

In addition to product exhibits, Inter BEE 2024 also features a plethora of special events, the most notable of which being the Inter BEE Cinema. Each day during the event, the Cinema’s Studio Set Area showcases an actual recording of a scene on a film set in order to showcase cinematography techniques. The first live filming demonstration focused on recreating natural lighting artificially, with emcees explaining each technique in detail. Switching from daytime to evening within one take, mixing multiple colors of light to mimic a sunset, and utilizing a fog machine to manipulate light, the trade secrets of film professionals were on full display.

Inter BEE 2024 will be held until Friday, November 15 at the Makuhari Messe. Entry is free of charge for media industry professionals with online pre-registration required.

Inter BEE Cinema film set daytime version

Inter BEE Cinema film set evening version

JIMTOF 2024: Japan’s Largest Trade Fair Reports Event’s Largest Scale to Date [MICE NEWS]

[Leading Japanese MICE news outlet POP Inc. Event Report]

On Tuesday November 5, the 32^nd annual Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF 2024) kicked off at the Tokyo Big Sight. As the single largest business trade fair in Japan, JIMTOF stretches from wall to wall throughout every one of the Big Sight’s East, West, and South halls, featuring impressive exhibits of machine tools, manufacturing equipment, and various machinery as far as the eye can see. The organizer, the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association, is even offering a free shuttle bus service to facilitate efficient movement between the halls. Reporters from POP Inc.’s MICE news division were on the scene on the opening day to uncover the hottest trends.

Not only is JIMTOF the largest exhibition in the country, but this year’s exhibitor participation is the highest in the event’s history, A record 1,262 exhibiting companies from 19 countries and regions have erected 5,743 booths, which encompass a total of 118540 square meters.

Speaking of large-scale, the biggest exhibit at JIMTOF by far is that belonging to DMG MORI, which covers almost the entirety of East Hall 8. DMG MORI is a “Machining Transformation” company that focuses on process integration and automation in order to advance the manufacturing industry’s efficiency and sustainability. The company’s massive booth showcases a wide variety of its cutting-edge solutions, and the main attraction is a live demonstration of the company’s AMR 2000 automated pallet handling machine.
DMG MORI: https://www.dmgmori.co.jp/en/

Smaller exhibitors, however, are not discouraged from raising the competition. BLIN Machinery Co., Ltd. is a machine tool manufacturer and exporter from Ningbo, China. The company focused its exhibit on two of its most popular products, the Slant Bed CNC Lathe and the CNC Turning Center. CNC, or Computer Numerical Control, is a process which automates the control of machine tools with pre-programmed computer software, thereby expediting item production, improving surface finishing, and reducing excessive human involvement for increased safety. BLIN’s CNC machinery is available for inspection in-person at JIMTOF.
BLIN Machinery: https://www.blinmachinery.com/

At a trade fair, branding is an important aspect to draw in visitors. Hatsuta Seisakusho Co., Ltd., which manufactures and installs fire extinguishers and firefighting systems, is collaborating with Hello Kitty to produce a line household fire extinguishers that feature the beloved character in four new designs. Not only are these fire extinguishers stylish, but they are also relatively easy to operate due to their light weight. Furthermore, Hatsuta proudly promotes its “Eco-Cycle System” for recycling both the unused dry chemical agents and the equipment materials from their extinguishers, showing the company’s commitment to environmental protection.
Hatsuta Seisakusho x Hello Kitty: https://hatsuta.co.jp/english/products/list/fire_extinguisher/household?products=kitty

JIMTOF 2024 will continue to be held at the Tokyo Big Sight until Sunday, November 10. The West and South exhibition halls are open from 9am to 7pm, and the East hall is open from 10am to 6pm. All halls close early at 4pm on the final day. Participation is free for business professionals.

Japan IT Week: Exploring Trends and Innovations in Business Tech [MICE News]

[Leading Japanese MICE news outlet POP Inc. Event Report]

On Wednesday, October 23, Japan’s largest IT and digital transformation (DX) exhibition opened its doors to visitors at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture. The show consists of four specialized exhibitions: Japan IT Week, Japan DX Week, Sales & Digital Marketing Week, and E-commerce & Store Week. From the opening day, a total of 623 exhibiting companies and their passionate employees were eager to showcase their services for assisting in and optimizing a variety of business operations. Reporters from POP Inc. spoke with exhibitors to discover the latest trends in IT and DX.

Experiencing an eruption in popularity in 2024, generative AI is being featured prominently throughout all areas of the exhibition. NewtonX, presented by SERAKU Co., Ltd., provides a safe and efficient avenue for corporations to utilize ChatGPT. The NewtonX booth is emphasizing the service’s retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), which produces answers by drawing from a wide pool of reliable information. Ryoka Shimizu of the business development sales department explained that special security features elevate NewtonX over silimar AI software, especially those for information leak prevention, suppression of false responses, and protection against OpenAI absorbing data from user interactions in order to re-train its algorithm. Furthermore, the SERAKU team offers templates for prompts and suggestions of ways to utilize ChatGPT tailored to each client’s individual needs.
NewtonX: https://www.seraku.co.jp/pr-site/newtonx/

In the realm of web marketing, Onion News Inc. is a jack-of-all-trades. The “Life Design Network” company provides comprehensive support on all facets of marketing in order to efficiently promote business growth. These include website design, online advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), direct-to-consumer e-commerce, and even video production. Onion’s accomplishments include establishing online stores for a local Chiba prefecture coffee brewery and for a sake-focused fine dining establishment.
Onion News: https://www.onionnews.co.jp/

For companies who wish to get an advantage over their competitors, SimilarWeb offers its Digital Marketing Intelligence service. This collects market data from corporations’ websites and compares and contrasts it with the client company’s data. The service provides detailed graphs and analysis for website page views, the avenue through which users arrived at the website, popular keywords, e-commerce sales data, and trends in these categories among others.
SimilarWeb: https://www.similarweb.com/

Floating amongst the vast seas of service providers, the relatively fewer physical product exhibitors are still certainly making a splash at Japan IT Week. Electrical equipment manufacturer PULAX Corporation is showcasing its “1mm Industrial Endoscope,” which features a one-millimeter wide high-definition camera that is implemented at the end of a two-meter long cable. Development Department Deputy Director Daisuke Nakamura demonstrated how the endoscope can be used to get a magnified view of hard-to-see places, such as the nooks and crannies of a motherboard or inside the USB ports on a laptop. A LED light-equipped version is also available.
1mm Industrial Endoscope: https://www.pulax.co.jp/business/industrial_endoscope_camera.html#camera

Japan IT Week will continue until Friday, October 25 at the Makuhari Messe, and entry is free with registration for all business visitors.

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