From May 22 to 24, the 33^rd New Environmental Exposition 2024 was held alongside the 16^th Global Warming Prevention Exposition (GWPE) 2024 at the Tokyo Big Sight. Reporters from leading Japanese MICE news outlet, POP inc., covered the event.

This edition of the New Environmental Exposition, one of Asia’s largest environmental industry trade fairs, consisted of sixteen themed areas. The most prominent area was overwhelmingly the Waste Recycling, Waste Disposal, and Demolition Area, which covering nearly half of the entire exhibition space. Following in size were the Thermal, Waste Power Generation, and Heat Utilization Area, the Biomass and Organic Waste Disposal Area, and the Environmental Software, Scales, Measurement, and Analysis Area. In addition, two outdoor demonstration venues featured live demonstrations of everything from magnetic lifting attachments for excavators to plastic waste incinerators.

A total of 92,121 professional visitors attended the event over the 3-day period. Even on the opening day, exhibitors were already pleased with the attendee turnout. INTER-ACTION Corporation team members emphasized that the New Environmental Exposition has the number 1 attendance rate of their customers out of any trade fair.

Notably, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) played a major role in all aspects of the event. Exhibitors were eager to outline which of the 17 SDGs their products or services were designed to promote. In addition, reusable and recyclable materials were prioritized during booth construction and walkways were void of carpeting.

Exhibiting companies offered solutions to a myriad of problems. Environment & Development Co., Ltd. introduced its consulting services for construction of industrial waste management facilities, renewable power plant creation, disaster waste management, and residential, industrial, and commercial facilities development. The team hoped that their participation in the New Environmental Exposition’s seminars would encourage attendees to visit their booth as well.
Official website: https://www.etod.co.jp/

Next Action Company (NAC) focused its exhibit on the company’s environmentally-friendly waterless printing method. Most industrial printing requires ink to be dampened by using large quantities of water, which inevitably become wasted. Removing water from the process greatly reduces the negative impact on the environment, while simultaneously creating a crisper image and reducing printing costs. However, downsides, such as an increase in static electricity, are also present.
Official website: https://nac-1951.co.jp/

EQJ Co. Ltd showcased their asbestos cleaning machines in likely the most attention-grabbing booth in the venue. Featuring the “MAX Shower” and the “MAX S,” Managing Executive officer Yoshiaki Nemoto explained that safe asbestos cleanup has become a pressing issue in Japan in recent years. Since Japanese buildings are designed to be durable enough to withstand earthquakes, structures last for many years, which means that asbestos removal is still prevalent today. EQJ’s cleaning equipment helps to mitigate the spread of asbestos during building demolition by containing asbestos stuck to workers’ uniforms before they leave the worksite.
Official website: https://www.eqj.jp

Kayama Kogyo Co., Ltd. provides waste management solutions for PCBs and other materials, as well as collects waste from companies to be recycled and then reintroduced back into the market. At the company’s New Environmental Exposition stall, Kayama presented honey from its on-site apiary. Corporate Planning Division Member Maya Asmae elaborated that the team employs the bees as bio-indicators. By observing the bees’ health and habits, Kayama can estimate the effects that its waste management practices have on the surrounding environment, as well as work towards mitigating ecological damages. The apiary also offers opportunities for the local community to learn about sustainability while collecting honey.
Official website: https://www.kayama-k.co.jp/english

The upcoming 34^th edition of the New Environmental Exposition will be held from May 28 to 30, 2025, at the Tokyo Big Sight.

From March 21 to 24, Japan International Boat Show 2024 was held at Pacifico Yokohama and the Yokohama Bayside Marina. A total of 34,579 business and general public visitors and 214 exhibiting companies filled both venues. Overall, 232 marine vehicles were showcased, including boats, yachts, jet skis, and kayaks, the majority of which were able to be boarded or ridden.

Situated in the Yokohama Bayside Marina, opening into Negishi Bay, the main attraction of the Japan Boat Show was certainly the large boat and yacht floating exhibition. This year’s event hosted 57 luxury vessels, ranging up to 26 meters in length. Visitors were able to not only board each yacht, but also to probe into below-deck bedrooms, to take in the view from second or third floor top decks, and even to experience the sitting in the driver’s seat (provided, of course, that they first removed their shoes).
KAIWO Yokohama, the Japanese agent for Swedish yacht producer Hallberg-Rassy, showcased the company’s new Hallberg-Rassy 40C sailing cruiser yacht. The ship is outfitted with utilities to support multiple-day journeys, and local representative Yuka Sugita explained that the built-in kitchen is a popular amenity as many customers prefer to cook their own meals out on the water.
Saxdor exhibited its custom yachts, which offer a wide array of modifications to cater to various boating styles. Customizations include quantity of rotating seats, a wet bar and fridge for entertaining guests, and weather-resistant screens. Other boats provided options for fishing fighting chairs with rod holders, capitalizing on the popularity of recreational fishing in Japan.

In addition, alongside the exhibits, the Yokohama Bayside Marina also hosted hands-on activities for the whole family. The “Captain Kids Experience” offered children opportunities to ride mini motorboats and sailboats. Boat driving was also available for all visitors to try regardless of experience level or boat license.

Two methods of transportation between the venues were implemented by the organizers: a bay cruise on a luxury cruiser (paid) and a shuttle bus (free of charge). The Yokohama Bay Cruise ran for approximately 45 minutes one-way, during which passengers were treated to views of Yokohama landmarks while sailing through the bays and channels around the port of Yokohama. The hustle and bustle of Yokohama waters was tangible, as the cruise passed between cargo ships, barges, and recreational fishing boats, and even the occasional speedboat flew by.

Meanwhile, within the halls of Pacifico Yokohama, a more conventional, yet not less exciting indoor exhibition was also underway. On top of a vast selection of marine goods, the venue was comprised of a handful of “Villages.” The Fishing Village, Jet Village, Sailing Village, Marine Kids Village, and the brand-new Water Safety Village gathered exhibitors of similar products and services in convenient sectors.

Watersports were a hot topic this year, with booths featuring eFoil electric surfboards, standup paddleboards, and windsurfing boards. SE Amusement Co., Ltd. introduced WAKEPARX, a boatless wakeboarding park. At WAKEPARX, athletes are pulled along by an overhead cable system as opposed to by a boat. This permits controlled changing of speed, which is safer and more accessible to beginners.
Other exhibitors presented boat engines, GPS fishing map technology, lifejackets, inflatable house boats, water rescue gear, marina memberships, and boat leasing. For visitors who already own their boat, AV equipment, a draft beer machine, and high-end champagne were perfect for hosting parties out on the sea.

Finally, environmental protection and sustainability were overarching themes present in every facet of the event, especially due to the notoriety of large yachts to contribute to ocean pollution. Tyura Sango used their booth to educate visitors on the importance of protecting coral reefs, which provide a home to 1/4^th of all marine species, and to explain their organization’s coral replanting activities. The team encourages everyone to do their part in helping prevent pollution.

The Japan International Boat Show online content will be available until May 31 on the event’s official website. The 64^th edition will be held March 20 to 23, 2025, at Pacifico Yokohama and the Yokohama Bayside Marina.

On Tuesday, March 5, Foodex Japan 2024 commenced at the Tokyo Big Sight. Boasting over 2300 exhibiting brands, Foodex is the largest of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) for the food and beverage industry held in Japan. The opening day reported a total of 17,702 registered visitors.

This year’s Foodex hosts a wide array of national pavilions. The European Union Pavilion provides an introduction to the numerous European country pavilions by showcasing highlighted products that are available taste testing, including Italian salami, French roquefort cheese, and Riesling wine from Luxembourg. Throughout East Halls 1-3, Europe dominates the landscape with pavilions spanning from wall to wall and eye-catching signage sporting colors from each country’s national flag.

Italy is the largest of the European pavilions, followed by Spain, Turkey, France, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, and several others. Attendees can be seen throughout the venue snacking on the popular “Original Belgian fries,” which also offer a variety of condiments including a spicy “Samurai” sauce. Ludwig Winery Ltd., from the Czech Republic, has been exporting its wines to several Asian countries since 2010 and is looking to break into the Japanese market by negotiating with importers at Foodex. Ludwig also showcased its new grape tea and grape flour, which the company hopes will revolutionize the gluten-free industry.

Wine certainly holds a prominent position among the exhibited products. A vast majority of participating companies have brought wine to the table. In particular, Agro-Azerinvest LLC, which represents the wineries of the Qabala region in Azerbaijan, is introducing several wines chosen specifically for Japanese consumers. The flavors are cultivated to appeal to the Japanese palette, and the wines are made affordable to account for the Japanese inclination towards mindful spending. Agroi-Azerinvest has also been invited to attend the SAKURA Japan Women’s Wine Awards for 2024.

A little closer to home, China hosts the largest national pavilion overall. From Asia, Taiwan and Thailand feature impressively-sized pavilions, as well. Sri Lankan exhibitors are showcasing a variety of locally-grown teas. South Korea, capitalizing on the boom in popularity of Korean culture worldwide, has increased its efforts this year. Korean companies have come together with support from the sponsors of the Korean pavilion to cooperatively run a “K-Food Street” section. Fried food, snacks, and alcohol from various companies are available for taste testing in a food stall-styled booth in order to advertise Korean products that are already on sale in Japan, as well as to ultimately promote the spread of Korean culture even further. In addition, TYG Trading Co., Ltd., a Japanese importer of Korean snacks, is using Foodex as a means of advertising their products, as well as connecting with Korean manufacturers.

Not everyone is completely satisfied with the Foodex exhibition, however. Chilean wine exporter Bodegas Tagua Tagua (BTT) was disappointed in the amount of foot traffic by its booth on the first day. Though the company chose to exhibit at Foodex due its status as the largest trade fair in Japan, the BTT representative noted that other Japanese food industry exhibitions have had more significant buyer turnouts, and he was worried about the unusually long 4-day event period. However, the company is pleased to be able to meet known Japanese buyers and conduct pre-scheduled business meetings with customers. BTT remains hopeful for the remaining days of the exhibition.

Foodex Japan 2024 will continue until Friday, March 8, showcasing cuisine and spirits from the aforementioned countries, as well as from North America, South America, the Middle East, Oceania, and beyond.

On February 6, the 98^th Tokyo International Gift Show, Japan’s largest trade show, opened at the Tokyo Big Sight. Twice a year, the Gift Show gathers over 3000 exhibiting companies from regions throughout Japan and countries across the globe and spans 100,000 square meters of exhibition space.

The spring edition is partnered with the concurrent LIFE x DESIGN fair and the Gourmet & Dining Style Show to showcase a wide variety of goods that complement people’s lifestyles. Themed areas feature such products as home furnishings and decorations, daily necessities, stationery and paper goods, youth fashion, pet accessories, and even glamping and outdoor saunas.

The Tokyo Gift Show is a thoroughly international trade fair, and industry professionals from every corner of the world can be spotted perusing the booths and partaking in business negotiations. The 3 countries with the most prominent representation are Japan, China, and the United States.

Japanese companies from various rural areas brought their products to the Gift Show in hopes of expanding their reach to the Tokyo Metropolis and beyond. From Akita Prefecture, Sasaki Trading Co. introduced its flower petal and leaf flavored sustainable ice creams which have historically been exclusive to Akita. From Funabashi City in Chiba Prefecture, Kaiko Bussan Co. is presenting its stewed Konoshiro gizzard shad fish and carrot juice made entirely out of carrots. From Shizuoka Prefecture, Marushichi Seicha is showcasing its collection of craft brewed teas that, similar to wine, can also be paired with various cuisines, in response to the shift in popularity from tea leaves to bottled tea.

Chinese exhibitors congregate primarily at the official China Pavilion. Many Chinese companies, like Dongguan City-based For Season Clothing Co., operate their own factories and manufacture goods to be exported to Japan. For Season Clothing also receives orders directly from major Japanese franchises such as Sanrio for production of Japanese-licensed merchandise.

Popular United States brands such as Ty and Thrasher, as well as licensors of American cartoon and video game content, are taking advantage of the Tokyo Gift Show as an avenue to break into the Japanese market. Thrasher, in particular, is combining the efforts of several Japanese manufacturers of backpacks, shoes, and skateboard decks, under the management of Japanese wholesaler of foreign skate and street brands TRYON. Their goal is to create opportunities for the Japanese youth to find an entry into skate culture through Thrasher clothing, capitalizing on the gradually rising popularity of skateboarding in Japan as a result of the Olympics.

Tokyo International Gift Show Spring 2024 will run until Thursday, February 8. The 2024 Autumn edition will be held from September 4 to 6 at the Tokyo Big Sight.