From June 25 to 27, International Tourism Trade Show (iTT) 2025 was held at the Tokyo Big Sight. Featuring two specialized exhibitions, the Tourism Marketing Expo and the International Wellness Tourism Expo, key players from all corners of the tourism and accommodation industries flocked to the event. International participation was greatly favored, and the venue implemented an international visitor lounge that welcomed the multitude of visitors who traveled from all across the globe in order to participate. Amidst a general air of positive reception, reporters from Japanese MICE news outlet POP Inc. uncovered the latest trends.
Exstan Human Resource provides services for hiring and supporting foreign laborers who wish to enter into the Japanese workforce, as well as for connecting them with Japanese companies. Exstan covers the entire employment process from recruitment to assistance in visa acquisition to support of workers after hiring. At its iTT 2025 booth, the company was actively expounding upon its “noborder” online tool that capitalizes on Exstan’s expertise in handling resident status applications. Employers can use noborder to neatly manage all of the documents and information necessary for their employee’s visa renewals.
Exstan representatives further added that supporting foreign workers is becoming increasingly beneficial in combatting the current labor shortage in Japan.
Exstan’s homepage: https://exstan-hr.studio.site/
The LEX Institute, formerly known as the Institute for Language Experience, Experiment & Exchange, showcased the cultural programs it organizes through its “Hippo Family Club.” The main focus of the institute’s iTT exhibit was its multilingual nature camps. Popular with enthusiasts of all ages, four annual programs are offered throughout Japan, including a “deserted island” camp that teaches survival skills, as well as camps in China, Indonesia, and Mongolia. Estefania Mares Medrano of the Transnational Division explained that a wide range of languages are spoken freely during the programs. Since she is proficient Spanish, English, and Portuguese, for example, participants have the opportunity to practice their skills in these languages in a fun and relaxed environment that is conducive to growth. In addition, campers can also immerse themselves in the nature and culture of the locales.
LEX Institute’s homepage: https://www.lexhippo.gr.jp/
eMoBi Co., Ltd. drew attention at iTT for the eye-catching design of its 3-wheeled electric vehicle. Approximately the size of a smart car, the vehicle can seat up to 3 people. With a battery charge that last for 4 to 5 hours, eMoBi promotes the EV as a sustainable mobility solution that offers a fresh way to sightsee and go on adventures. The eMoBi EVs are currently available to rent in several areas throughout Japan for anyone with a driver’s license, and they are most popular near the beaches of Okinawa and Kamakura, where riders can enjoy cool sea breezes blowing through the open-air concept.
Visitors at iTT were able to test drive the vehicle on a course inside the venue. The EV controls similarly to a motorcycle with acceleration and brakes connected to handlebars, and participants were impressed with how easy maneuvering was even for first timers.
eMoBi’s homepage: https://www.emobi.co.jp/company/en
Pocketalk, partnered with SoftBank Corp., is an AI-driven automatic pocket translator that is innovating the field of translation. Users simply hold the microphone button and speak into the device, and it immediately translates their speech into the desired language, which it then proceeds to read aloud. Pocketalk is compatible with over 74 languages and offers a 2-year SIM that allows unlimited use in over 170 countries worldwide. The translator is recommended for individuals traveling abroad, as well as business owners who accommodate international customers and wish to improve hospitality and raise customer satisfaction.
For MICE participants, SoftBank In-bound Business Deputy Manager Yutaka Abe also recommended Pocketalk Conference. The software is specifically designed for real-time interpretation of conference speakers’ speeches, and it simultaneously shows what is being said and the corresponding translation side by side. This allows for attendees who speak multiple languages to be able to understand the same conference without need for individual human interpreters.
Pocketalk’s homepage: https://www.pocketalk.com/
After a resounding success, the next edition of the International Tourism Trade Show is expected to be held in summer 2026.
