Gateway to Japan

The expectations that were placed on the combined trade fair prior to Tool Japan, Gardex, Ifex and Agriworld in mid-October 2015 were high: The organiser Reed Exhibitions Japan predicted quite early on, increased exhibitor and visitor numbers. Although the opening ceremony turned out to be quite a big event, it probably had little to do with these expectations but it fit the bill: More than 50 representatives of the participating industries from Japan as well as representatives from international exhibitor groups stood on the red decorated stage and symbolically cut the red ribbon together. And the expectations were met after all: The event with the four fair segments in the Makuhari trade fair in Tokyo, was visited by 38 820 representatives of the participating industries. That's 13.8 per cent more than the previous year. Also the number of visiting exhibitors from 25 countries increased to double-digits, namely by 15.9 per cent to 1 424 companies. Apart from Japan, large exhibitor contingencies came from Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Italy, Germany, the USA, Columbia, Ecuador and Israel, amongst others. Tool Japan took place for the fourth time. In this segment, around 210 suppliers exhibited. The eighth Gardex recorded approximately 250 exhibitors at the fair for garden products. The biggest share of exhibitors (530 companies), was recorded by Ifex; the flower and plant fair -the biggest in Japan - makes up the core of the event and has already been held eleven times. The remaining 480 companies exhi­bited at Agriworld.

Apart from the number of exhibitors, the supporting program served to highlight the focus on flowers and plants. The most spectacular was probably the large special exhibition for the Preserved Flower Contest, which was organised by the trade fair company together with Japanese trade journals. The best 200 shortlisted arrangements were shown here. According to the organiser, Reed Exhibitions Japan, 60 per cent of the exhibition space was already booked, during the fair, for the coming year. The next trade fair is: 14 to 16 October 2015. The location is once again Makuhari Trade Fair in Tokyo. For companies in the DIY and garden business, who want to gain a foothold in Japan, Tool Japan, Gardex and Ifex is a must. Mind…