On March 7th, Japan Tourism Agency(JTA) held “the second MICE Conference for the enhancement of international competitiveness” in the executive conference room of the Central Government Building No.3.

Twelve members of the committee selected from MICE-related associations, private companies and local governments as well as the staffs of JTA including the director general Mr.Ida of JTA attended the conference.

The officials of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan also attended the conference as observers.

Opening the conference, the result of the interview conducted by organizers of international conference was introduced.
They requested：
・Necessity of the support from the government seeing the attraction of international conferences as an investiment
・To recognize the invitation of international conferences as a career development opportunity for young people
・In case of the failure of the invitation of a conference, the cost in the preparatory stage will be a risk and the income unfixed up to the event.

etc.

As an immediate measure to take, the fostering of MICE cities is proposed.

As a first step, select and support MICE cities in the next fiscal year. As a second step, select strategic major urban areas in 2015. Eventually, look to build self-sustained global knowledge hub cities and boost up to be able to stand up to other international conference host cities.

The final draft is scheduled to be produced this May.

Japan DIY Industry Association made an announcement about hosting “JAPAN DIY HOME CENTER SHOW 2013” at Makuhari Messe for three days from August 29th to 31th.
This show has been held since 1978 as the largest-scale event related to a housing life, gathering companies both in Japan and from overseas in the DIY & home center industry for the purpose of diffusion and enlightenment of DIY and total development of peripheral industries.

This year is 49th year since its initiation and its theme is “Dreaming tomorrow! -World is full of dreams-“.

This event has been held to send the message to the society that considering DIY is not only the repairment but also the decoration of the life for enjoying DIY and manufacturing.

Inspired by gaining popularity of DIY among female consumers, Japan DIY Industry Association promoted “DIY girl” on several media which increases the number of female audiences by 5.1% and the ratio of female audience became 45.3%.

In this year, “Shining DIY girl” corner which introduce the product for female customers was placed again and the nursery item were added to the list of items.

MPI Japan Chapter is holding an “MPI Japan March Seminar” on March 22nd in Roppongi Academy Hills 49.
The theme will be “Exhibitions, MICE and Diversity”, Mr Hoshikawa Yasuyuki from The Accessible Design Foundation of Japan and Mr Tanaka from our company’s editorial department will give a lecture.
Membership fee for members is free, regular visitor 3000JPY, student 1000JPY.

Contents:
Part 1: “Why include exhibition in MICE”
– Situation of the industry, exhibitions participating in MICE, the challenge

Part 2: “Exhibitions and events in the age of diversity”
– Aims of  The Accessible Design Foundation of Japan, exhibition and meeting’s diversity

For more information: Access MPI Japan Chapter, Tel:03-5210-3688 / secretariat@mpijapan.com