Business Opportunities
CEATEC JAPAN 2015
A Vanguard Tradeshow for the Internet of Things (IoT)
Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan
October 7-10, 2015
An Eye-Opening Parade of Dazzling Products with Embedded Electronics at CEATEC JAPAN 2015
The CEATEC JAPAN (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) was held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan on October 7-10, 2015. This tradeshow aims to exhibit state-of-the-art IT and electronics technologies from around the world, with an emphasis on Japan and Asia, and to promote the convergence of IT and electronics with a wide range of industries like transportation, energy and health care.
CEATEC JAPAN Displays Accelerating Acceptance of the Internet of Things (IoT)
The CEATEC JAPAN 2015 has always been about IT and electronics, which were amply displayed at this year’s show. Robots, vision devices, you name it, the latest gadgets were on display. Yet, one of CEATEC’s main goals is the convergence of these technologies with products from far different industries.
Mr. Yutaka Tsutsui, Manager of Sales Support at KTL Corporation (Japan), noted how electronic parts were now in practically everything. “ For example,” he said, “twenty years ago Honda automobiles had maybe a few IC components, but now they have over 300.” Mr. Tsutsui should know, since he imports IC components from around the world to sell to Japanese manufacturers.
The American motorcycle manufacturer, Harley Davidson, had a prominent display in the USA pavilion. Motorcycles at an electronics show? “Our biggest connection with CEATEC”, said Mr. Chisato Kawai of Harley-Davidson Japan, “is our new Livewire all-electric motorcycle project. We’re conducting tours around the world to elicit customer ideas and opinions, and CEATEC is our first step here in Japan.”
Mr. Klaus Baldig, Head of R&D at GeBE Electronik und Feinwerktechnik GmbH (Germany), was exhibiting his thermal print testing system, aimed at the paper industry. “The big thermal paper markets are Germany and Japan”, he noted, “and when we asked the paper manufacturers what was the best show to exhibit at, they said CEATEC!”
Manufacturers, Universities, and Interest Groups Eagerly Pursue New Opportunities at CEATEC JAPAN
The range of exhibitors was impressive, from manufacturers, to trade associations like the Bluetooth SIG, to universities. The electronics manufacturers were more than happy to explore new business opportunities with the newcomers. According to Dr. Yucel Ugurlu, Senior Technical Marketing Manager, National instruments (USA), National Instruments has always supplied the test and measurement industry. But “now”, he commented, “we are here to address the IoT (internet of Things) market, including smart factories, smart sensors, etc. There are so many IoT applications here, it’s a great potential for National Instruments products.”
Universities also develop new technologies that need exposure at CEATEC JAPAN. Dr. Hiroyuki Shinoda of the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences at the University of Tokyo, was at the exhibition promoting the two-dimensional communication tiles developed at his laboratory. “This advanced technology sends signals in 2 dimensions through floor and wall tiles to avoid interference with wireless signals. Developing such radically new and high quality ideas is the job of universities and research institutes, which can afford to take the long view.” Dr. Shinoda would like to see this technology commercialized. “We want industry and general public to learn about 2DC tiles, so we thought it best to come to CEATEC, which has so many different kinds of visitors.”
A Business Tradeshow That Attracts Hordes of Tech-Hunting Individuals
CEATEC JAPAN is a huge show, no doubt about it. Said Mr. Conway Lu, of Bizlink International Corporation (Taiwan), “this is the biggest show in Japan. Our major customers like Sony and Fujitsu are here. The whole supply chain is on display here, down to the last customer.” Then Mr. Lu added, “and sometimes, we see retail customers too”.
This is a key point. Not only are all major players here, but so are many individuals looking to explore the future of the Internet of Things. Mr. Yosuke Nakata, Brand Manager at Kanjitsu Denki Co. Ltd. (Japan), distributes “UP”, a smart app for the wearable “Jawbone” activity tracker made in the US. “Our intention at CEATEC was to exhibit for the B2B (business to business) market, but we’re getting a lot of B2C (business to customer) as well. Customers at this show are looking for the latest tech, and customer quality is very high.”
This confluence of B2B and B2C was an extra bonus. Mr. Yoshihisa Abe, President of InfoSocket LLC (Japan), was exhibiting monitoring and security applications for home use. “We’re not ready to market abroad just yet”, he admitted, “because we want lots more knowledge and info. CEATEC is the perfect place to collect the latest info. It’s not just firms here, there are many types of visitors including the general public.”
One exhibitor, who preferred to remain anonymous, found benefits in both exhibiting and cruising the exhibition as an individual. “With such a large show, customer knowledge is high”, he remarked, “and it’s stimulating just to walk the show and absorb all the info on new products in the industry.” That sums up the comprehensive nature of CEATEC JAPAN quite nicely. If you want a high dose of the latest gadgets and technologies, start by attending (and exhibiting!) at CEATEC JAPAN.
| EXHIBITION DATA | |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Name |
CEATEC JAPAN 2015
|
| Dates | October 7-10, 2015 |
| Frequency | Annually (16th time in 2015) |
| Venue | Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan |
| Theme | NEXT- Today’s Dreams, Future Realities |
| Exhibitor Totals | 531 exhibitors (Overseas: 151 from 19 countries/regions) |
| Visitor Totals | 133,048 visitors |
| Ticketing |
1,000 Japanese Yen (free admission with online registration) |
| Organizer | CEATEC JAPAN Executive Board |
| Contact |
CEATEC JAPAN Management Office (Japan Electronics Show Association (JESA)) TEL: +81-3-6212-5233 FAX: +81-3-6212-5226 |
