On August 4, the Japan Ministry of the Environment selected national parks for their “Advanced Model Project for Enhancing the Appeal of Lodging in National Parks” based on their “Policy for Efforts to Enhance the Overall Appeal of National Park Activity Hubs Centered on the Accommodation Business,” which was released on June 29, 2023.

The Ministry will enhance the appeal of activity hubs by establishing a regional cooperative implementation system, formulating a master plan for hubs, instituting lodging facilities that provide unique and emotional experiences in conjunction with nature activities, and creating a mechanism for a virtuous cycle between conservation and use.

Selected National Parks

Amid a rapid recovery in demand for inbound tourism, the Ministry of the Environment has decided to promote lodging and high-value tourism, focusing on emotional experiences in the national parks’ beautiful natural areas. The Study Group for Enhancing the Overall Appeal of National Park Activity Hubs Centered on the Accommodation Business has been studying the direction of high-value use of national parks, as well as how to proceed with advanced model projects to enhance appeal of hubs centered on lodging facilities that provide the unique emotional experience of national parks.

The Ministry of the Environment selected these 3 national parks for the “Advanced Model Project for Enhancing the Appeal of Lodging in National Parks” from a policy perspective, taking into account the opinions of the specialist committee, which included experts in the field.

The selection of the candidate parks was based on the 4 sections of the action policy with a goal for future expansion to other areas.
1. A standpoint of promoting utilization over a wide area
2. Estimated significance and effectiveness of the government’s coordination and implementation of initiatives
3. A framework for building of local consensus, and action plan for utilization, and a foundation for the Ministry of the Environment’s structure
4. Inclusion of specific potential activity hubs for lodging and high-value tourism

The feasibility of the project will be examined during the current fiscal year in the selected parks from the perspective of the promotion system status and the potential of each park to promote lodging and high-value tourism. 1 or 2 activity hubs will be selected from the examination.

FOOMA JAPAN 2023 was held from June 6 to 9 in the Tokyo Big Sight’s East Exhibition Hall.

The Japan Food Machinery Manufacturer’s Association (FOOMA) organized the event. This year’s theme was “Accelerate FOOMA”.

The exhibition’s goal was to create a gathering place for food production solutions to accelerate the resolution of issues present in the food industry. In addition, companies aimed to promote a “prosperous future pioneered by food technology” through the use of cutting-edge food machinery, technology, products, and services.

A record number of 953 companies exhibited this year. The Startup Zone, which was newly instituted the previous year, was expanded to 29 companies, 20 of which were new exhibitors.

In addition, the FOOMA Tokyo Bar, a food plaza for attendee networking during the event, was instituted in a collaboration between Koto Ward and Tokyo’s 11 islands.

106,104 visitors attended the trade fair, 3,178 of which came from overseas.

Exhibition Sectors
・Raw material processing
・Food production / processing
・Snacks / Bread
・Meat / Seafood
・Noodles
・Side dishes / Cooked foods
・Beverages / Dairy products
・Agricultural products
・Tofu
・Fermentation / Brewing
・Other food products
・Engineering
・Robots / IT / Internet of Things / FoodTech
・Freshness control / Quality maintenance
・Packaging / Filling
・Preservation / Shipping / Transport
・Measurement / Analysis / Inspection
・Sanitation measures / management
・Environmental protection / Energy saving / Recycling
・Facility machinery / technology / components
・Consulting / Patents
・Information services / groups
・Startup Zone
・Academic conference (Organizer-run)

Mitsubishi Chemical Engineering proposed new technologies for production facilities, including a smart factory that focuses on environmental friendliness, quality, profitability, and ease of work.

Hitachi exhibited equipment and systems that help realize next-generation smart factory with “total seamless solutions” that resolve issues for digitalization and green transformation strategies, operations management, and manufacturing sites.

Tsubaki Group presented several Tsubaki products that can solve various problems in the food machinery industry under the theme, “Don’t stop our food cycle! Shaping the future of the food industry with ‘mobilization’ technology.”

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries introduced solutions for decarbonization of existing infrastructure in food factories, warehouses, and logistics sites.

Ace System showcased a continuous steam rice cooking system using superheated steam.

Lion Hygiene presented their “Clean Vegetable SaO System” machine, which was a new addition to its unique ozone-based vegetable cleaning solutions. The company also showed their “Rich Foam GB,” a recently released cleaning agent for oil stains used to clean processing lines and equipment in factories.

Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation showcased solutions based on the concept of “strong support for food manufacturing sites with UV and AI solutions” in order to solve problems from 3 perspectives: “workplace hygiene solutions,” “production process hygiene improvement solutions,” and “on-site digitalization solutions.”

Japan Railways (JR) Group announced that the price of the Japan Rail Pass has been revised starting on October 1, 2023.

Jointly offered by 6 JR Group companies, the Japan Rail Pass is a convenient, discounted ticket that can be used to travel by train throughout Japan. This special ticket can only be purchased by tourists visiting Japan from abroad.

In addition, starting on the same day, a new Nozomi / Mizuho Ticket (Exclusive to Japan Rail Pass users) went on sale for Japan Rail Pass passengers.

Imaginus, a science facility directly managed by Congrès Inc., has opened in Suginami ward in Tokyo.

Imaginus, which claims to be a “Suginami science lab for building the future” and a “next-generation science education facility”, uses the resources from the site of former Suginami 4th Elementary School. While the outside maintains the appearance of school grounds, once inside, visitors can enjoy the world-famous science show, “Nutty Scientists”, as it premiers in Japan for the first time, as well as experience full-scale science experiments and casual craft activities.

Families from Suginami were invited to the opening event held on October 7, and Suginami Ward Mayor Satoko Kishimoto and Congrès President Noriko Takeuchi joined local children to participate in the Nutty Scientists show. Mayor Kishimoto stated in regards to the facility, “I think people can enjoy an entire day here. I believe that the name ‘Imaginus’ has various meanings, such as imagination, but it also includes ‘Suginami’. I’m glad that we were thought of in this way.” She also spoke about the facility’s main theme, science. “It has an image of being difficult, but science is truly precious to us.” President Takeuchi added, “Sometimes it is said that we are moving away from science, but I want to use this facility to convey: Science is interesting! And fun! Various programs have been arranged for that purpose.”

President Takeuchi expressed her confidence that adults could enjoy Imaginus as well, continuing, “I believe that there is also some nostalgia with the stage being set at an elementary school, so please come visit. There is an abundance of content that even adults can enjoy in various ways, such as the lab, the café, and the science show.”

The facility will have meeting areas that can be rented out for exhibitions and sports events, as well as a video studio for filming and livestreaming. In regards to the possibility of use for MICE, President Takeuchi stated, “There are an assembly hall and a theater in the facility, so the building could be used as a unique venue, as well as for hands-on tours. I feel as though Imaginus is an interesting establishment that can be used for events that aim to foster engagement and motivation, in addition to those for team-building. I am looking forward to hosting various types of MICE programs and projects, so I would like to collect ideas.”

There is also a special exhibition area within the establishment, in which the manufacturing company TASKO is currently holding “Manufacturing Work Exhibition: From the Desks of TASKO” until March 7, 2024.

Admission into Imaginus is free, and prices vary for the experiences and show viewings. The staff aims to bring in 300,000 visitors per year.

On November 25, 2023, the Japan Amusement Industry Association (JAIA) will hold the “Amusement Expo in Tokyo Big Sight” in the convention center’s East Halls 2 and 3.

JAIA has been holding their amusement and entertainment industry exhibition, Japan Amusement Expo (JAEPO), since 2013. However, due to the expansion and development in amusement and entertainment establishments, especially in arcades, demographics who were previously unfamiliar with these facilities have begun to discover their appeal. From the viewpoint of increasing the fanbase being of great importance, the event will be steered in a new direction to be more focused on the general public, while still retaining the features of a conventional business exhibition.

At the venue, 30 companies are expected to exhibit, including manufacturers of arcade cabinets, related equipment manufacturers, and businesses operating amusement facilities. Popular arcade games from various genres will be showcased, such as video games, crane games, photo booths, and medal games, which attendees will be able to play free of charge. In addition to an abundance of events being held at each booth, merchandise will also be available for purchase.

For business visitors, entrance is free with pre-registration. Prices for general admission will be announced on October 25. Children elementary school-aged and younger will be able to enter for free.

On October 6, Japanese travel agency JTB summarized their report on travel trends in a review titled, “People going on trips longer than a 1-night stay over summer vacation (July 15 to August 31).”

The report was calculated based on various economic indicators, industry trends, transportation company activity, hotel reservations, and various customer surveys. JTB has been releasing the travel report since 1969, and this is the 54^th publication.

In 2022, the average cost and expenditures of overseas travel were not announced due to the implementation of border control measures as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A summary of the report reveals:
● Domestic travelers totaled 72.5 million, which is up 116.9% from 2022, recovering to the same level as before the pandemic.
● International travelers totaled 1.2 million, up 214.3% from 2022.
● International travel trended towards short trips, with increases in travel to Hawaii, South Korea, and Taiwan.

*Total travelers are based on the gross total of people. Average travel cost is calculated as the average cost per 1 person per trip.
*Percentages of previous year values are rounded to the first decimal place.
*Domestic travelers only include those who stay at least 1 night (limited to sightseeing and vacations). International travelers encompass the total number of people leaving the country (including business travelers).
*Domestic travel average cost includes transportation, lodging, souvenirs, and food, among other trip expenses.
*International Travel Average Cost includes fuel surcharges, as well as transportation, lodging, and food at travel destinations.

「Travel Trends Questionnaire: Survey Method」
Survey Period: 6/14~17/2023
Survey Participants: Individuals from throughout Japan, Age 15-79, M/F
Sample Size: Preliminary survey – 20,000 people, Main survey – 2,060 people
(Participants applicable for the main survey were selected from those who answered “Will travel / will most likely travel during summer vacation” on the preliminary survey.)
Survey Content: Travel of 1 or more nights to be conducted between July 15 and August 31, 2023 (Domestic travel is limited to sightseeing and vacations. International travel includes business travel.)
Survey Method: Internet-based questionnaire survey (Research conducted by Macromill, Inc.)

With approval from the Japanese government, admission ticket options and prices have been finalized for the 2025 World Exposition Osaka Kansai, as follows.

In addition to advance tickets, many variations are available, including multiple-entry passes, summer and full-year passes, and group discount tickets.

Advance tickets are expected to go on sale by the end of 2023.

※Prices are shown in Japanese Yen and include sales tax.
※Ages discounts are decided by age on April 1, 2025. Free admission for children under 3 years.
※Advance tickets will be on sale until April 12, 2025.
Super early bird discount sales for one-day tickets ends on October 6, 2024.
Early bird discount sales for one-day tickets will occur from October 7, 2024, to April 12, 2025.
※Admission tickets will be issued as electronic tickets. Tickets can be purchased from smartphones and computers. In addition, for those who may have difficulty purchasing online, tickets can also be acquired through travel agencies and various ticket offices.
※Attendees are required to make a reservation for the date and time of their visit, which can be done up to six months in advance. The reservation process will be announced in the summer of 2024.

UCC Coffee Professional and Hakuten Corporation collaborated to realize their goal of a sustainable event at UCC Smile Festa 2023, an exhibition and business trade fair held by UCC throughout Japan.

This time, we covered the Tokyo event, which was held at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center from March 28 to 29.

What is UCC Smile Festa?

UCC Smile Festa is an exhibition of coffee and food products for professional use, mainly targeting attendees from the food and beverage industry.

The UCC Group and approximately 80 manufacturers of ingredients, beverages, sales promotion materials, and other items that support cafe operation exhibited both in-person and online, offering hints on how to become the “Restaurant of Choice”.

At the venue, UCC’s products were showcased in 2 main areas, UCC’s Creation and UCC’s Sustainability.

UCC’s Creation Area

“Upping” Area: Proposal of initiatives aimed at upping the unit price per customer and increasing value. Attendees experienced a menu arranged using coffee and tea, as well as blended products created with UCC’s special attention to detail.

“Basic Update” Area: Showcase of machines capable of speedy serving, private brand coffee and food products popular with a wide range of customers, and other products to solidify restaurants’ foundations.

“Approaches that Resonate with Different Generations” Area: Proposal of items and menus that resonate with every generation, including sweets made with professionally cultivated coffee, coffee and sweets pairings, and beverages that address the health concerns of each generation.

UCC’s Sustainability Area

At the UCC’s Sustainability Area, the process from cultivation to a cup of coffee was divided into 7 categories, and UCC’s integrated sustainability measures from farm to cafe were showcased.

In addition, initiatives were proposed that restaurants can start right away, such as sustainable products for regular coffee, eco-drip without use of paper, and drink menus that use milk alternatives.

Sustainability Initiatives (SDGs)

Another highlight of the exhibition was the various initiatives towards the implementation of sustainable events.

Based on the data from last year’s UCC Smile Festa 2022, UCC further strengthened its efforts this year, aiming for a 10% reduction in both CO2 emissions and garbage and working towards a goal of zero waste.

1. Exhibition Booth Construction

Goal: Reduction in waste from wooden decorations by 10% from 2022 levels

87% of the event’s decorations were made of reused materials, which was up 12% from the previous year, and generated waste was disposed of by using it as a heat source.

Since many of the materials used for the 2022 event were thermally recycled, this year, materials that can be chemically recycled were actively selected.

2. Exhibition Lighting / Distributed Materials

For exhibits, LED lighting was introduced due to its lower power consumption and longer lifespan.

In addition, QR codes were used on information leaflets and other materials in order to promote digitalization and reduce paper usage.

3. Reduction of Food Loss

Goal: Reduction of emissions from food waste by 10% from 2022 levels

<Preparatory Stages>

Prevention of excess of food tasting samples by monitoring the number of attendees at different times of the day and sharing this information with exhibiting companies

<Initiatives During the Event>

• Promotion of tastings via product study sessions for employees
• Establishment of an area where excess food can be shared among exhibitors

4. Waste Disposal

Goal: Reduction in garbage generated at venues by 10% from 2022 levels

Focus on improving the rate of recycling in addition to reducing the amount of garbage generated. Proper separation of garbage was also promoted.

5. Removal of Plastic

Goal: Reduction of one-way plastic by 10% from 2022 levels

Serving of drinks in paper cups whenever possible. Environmentally friendly plastic cups were also used. Trays, forks, and spoons used for tastings were switched to paper or wood whenever possible, after confirming their compatibility with the food to be tasted.

6. Measurement of CO2 Emissions

CO2 emissions will be calculated and recorded for use in reduction efforts at future events.

• Emissions from electricity used at venues
• Organizer truck emissions (transport of martials, goods, and decorations)
• Emissions from travel and lodging of organizer office personnel

2022 Measurement Data
Total 26.98t CO2
Equivalent to 1,927 cedar trees (based on the amount of CO2 absorbed by an 80-year-old cedar tree in one year)

7. Generation of Reports

After the exhibition, an environmental impact report was posted online and shared with stakeholders. Continuous efforts will be made to reduce environmental impact from the next event onward.

8. Co-creation with exhibit manufacturers

The theme of this year’s trade fair was “Make new value together through co-creation; continue to change for the future.”

• In order to have exhibit manufacturers cooperate with sustainability initiatives, an online exhibitor briefing was held in advance of the show to share policies and goals.
• A “Waste Not Want Not Corner” was implemented so that excess food could be shared, and measures to reduce food loss as much as possible were also put in place.
• Exhibitors’ names were written on their trash bags to encourage garbage separation, and exhibitors who cooperated in a resource-recycling event received recognition in order to further promote participation.

Hakuten Corporation developed and is operating an internal policy on event sustainability in response to the growing needs of corporations and local governments regarding environmental protection.

Furthrmore, the company has been promoting community activities featuring sustainable brands since 2015 through media and events such as the Sustainable Brands Exhibition.

In a survey conducted at the exhibit manufacturers meeting, approximately 95% of companies responded that they understood and empathized with the sustainability initiatives.

The Tokyo Fire Department, Tokyo Big Sight, and Tokyo International Fire and Safety Exhibition 2023 Executive Committee held the Tokyo International Fire and Safety Exhibition 2023 (FIRE-SAFETY TOKYO) from June 15 to 18 at the Tokyo Big Sight’s East Exhibition Hall. One of largest fairs in the event’s history, 326 companies exhibited in 1,652 booths. It was comprised of 4 areas:

1. Firefighting, first aid, rescue, evacuation, and guidance
2. Disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparedness
3. Information systems and communication services
4. Other products and services related to fire and disaster prevention

In addition to the latest fire trucks, electric vehicles, and services promoting firefighting digitalization, there was also a special project zone focused on emergency power sources.

Furthermore, for the general public, the indoor venue offered a VR disaster prevention experience, records from the Great Kanto Earthquake, an exhibition of classic firefighting vehicles, and a seminar stage featuring talks by notable celebrities. In the outdoor exhibition zone in East Hall 7, there was a firehose experience for children, a showcase of special Tokyo Fire Department vehicles, and firefighting and rescue performances.