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Third-party Certification System for Exhibition Statistics
Eying the significant "ripple" effect of the exhibition industry on the economy, countries and regions around the world are devoting efforts towards promoting this sector. Until recently in Japan, the success of exhibitions has been measured mainly by the number of visitors. However, the difference in counting methods among exbhitors used to hinder horizontal comparison of this data and other analysis. Attracting overseas exhibitors to domestic events is essential to revitalizing the Japanese economy, but such unclear counting standards have inhibited participation.
To solve this problem and enhance reliability and transparency of exhibitions in Japan, the Third-party Certification System for Exhibition Statistics was launched in April 2012.
To operate the certification system, the Japan Exhibition Certification Council (JECC) was established under the instruction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI). It examines data such as the number of visitors, as well as the process of its calculation, reported by organizers of exhibitions throughout Japan, in accordance with international standards. For approved trade exhibitions, the JECC issues a registration certificate and grants the certification mark depicted at the top of this page.
In October 2014, Japan Exhibition Certification Council (JECC) was approved by the Union des Foires Internationales (UFI) (*1), the global association of the exhibition industry, as UFI's official certification organization in Japan (*2) through its confirmation of JECC's standards. As a result, JECC is now able to issue for the JECC-approved exhibitions an Audit Certificate that certifies that those exhibitions fully comply with UFI's standards. This greatly assists Japan's exhibition-related businesses such as show organizers and exhibition facilities who want to be UFI members because it enables those businesses to ask JECC to issue the above-mentioned certificates which are necessary for them to apply for UFI membership.
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), which serves as a member of the JECC, cooperates through promotional activities for certified exhibitions to ensure the certification system contributes to the globalization of the Japanese exhibition industry.
(*1) UFI：Union des Foires Internationales
(*2) List of Auditors of UFI Approved Events
For details, please refer to the following news release from METI.
“Launching of Third-Party Certification System for Exhibition Statistics”- METI
