Japanese buyers often prefer to find new food and beverage products at large trade shows or specially targeted trade showcases as opposed to via “cold calls” or requests for introductory meetings with individual companies. Many trade shows in Japan are well-suited for U.S. food and beverage companies, including two USDA-endorsed shows-FOODEX Japan and the Supermarket Trade Show. These shows allow buyers to view many products at once and provide a platform for U.S. exporters to meet with a large volume of prospective importers, retailers, wholesalers, and distributors. The ATOs in Tokyo and Osaka often organize USA pavilions or offer services to support participating U.S. exhibitors at these shows. Detailed information specific shows is provided below and in our Trade Show report.
FABEX is one of the largest trade shows in Japan, showcasing food ingredients, food products, equipment, and containers and packaging materials. These shows prominently feature the rapidly growing home-meal replacement and foodservice industries in Japan. FABEX Kansai attracts around 400 exhibitors and 40,000 visitors each year.
Held in mid-July, this the only show in Japan that specifically targets buyers of ingredients for the bakery and confectionary industries. The ATO often coordinates with U.S. organizations and Japanese importers to create a USA mini-pavilion space. This show is suitable for Japanese importers promoting nuts, dry fruits, and other ingredients for the baking sector.
The largest seafood trade show in Japan. The show, held at Tokyo Big Sight in late August, is suitable for introducing seafood to Japan and other Asian countries. The ATO often organizes a USA mini-pavilion.
Held twice annually in the Fall and Spring at Tokyo Big Sight, this is the largest gift and lifestyle trade show in Japan, showcasing gift foods at the “Gourmet and Dining Style” segment. The ATO does not have a pavilion at these shows. The target audiences are retailers, food service providers, wholesalers, importers, and manufacturers.
One of the largest shows of its kind in Japan showcasing food ingredients, additives, equipment, and supplies from companies all over the world. This sector-specific show held at Tokyo Big Sight targets food processors and institutional buyers.
Part of the International Food Design Show, this show exhibits food ingredients for health foods, functional foods, nutraceuticals, and organic foods. Held at Tokyo Big Sight in mid-November, this show attracts professional buyers from food manufacturers and health institutions.
Held in late-January at Makuhari Messe, this is Japan’s leading trade show for flowers and plants. IFEX attracts nearly 50,000 visitors from the flower, plant, and gift or interior industries, including retailers, wholesalers, importers, flower auction buyers, growers or nurseries, hotels, etc.
