JAPAN DIY HOMECENTER SHOW 2018

Toshiyuki Inaba
Chairman
Japan DIY Industry Association

 

The Japan DIY Industry Association will be hosting "JAPAN DIY HOMECENTER SHOW 2018" at the International Exhibition Hall in Makuhari Messe for period of three days from August 23rd(Thu.) through August 25th(Sat.) 2018.
The "Japan DIY Homecenter Show", which will be held this year for the 54th time (the total number of shows in both East and West Japan) was first held in 1978. It is now one of the largest comprehensive lifestyle-related exhibitions in Japan and aims to help popularize and raise awareness of the sound practice of DIY, contributing to the overall development of the home-improvement center industry and to a richer lifestyle for people living in Japan through cooperation between manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of DIY-related products and materials, bringing together a wide range of products and services under one roof, and leading to the creation of vibrant business opportunities, the exchange of ideas, and improved publicity for the industry vis-a-vis general consumers.
We are extremely grateful as this success is the result of understanding and cooperation shown to our association by various lifestyle-related related parties including numerous corporations and organizations.
As we see in so many TV programs and magazine features, people have in recent years become fascinated with DIY and crafts. To cement this trend, and not let it end up a passing boom, we have this year further enhanced the content and will be striving to reach our goal of 500 participating companies and 120,000 visitors to the show.
The theme of this year's show is: "Let's Find! for your Tomorrow,"Tip" of Lifestyle." The show will present all visitors, including industry stakeholders and general consumers, with ideas and tips on how to use their own originality to create things and concepts, from the thinking and creating stages right through to utilizing and enjoying their creations. The theme comes from our wish to promote the DIY industry and increase the number of people coming to DIY stores by offering attractive store displays that cannot be experienced through online transactions, and tips that help visitors discover a lifestyle that works for them.
In these times of rapid development into a digital society, this show aims to offer products and experiences that simply cannot be obtained over the Internet, as well as opportunities to find new ideas and to interact with domestic and foreign exhibitors.
The venue will be divided into three large zones this year, each featuring various events: "Kirari! DIY Girls", which supports women's DIY; the "Men's Workshop", offering hands-on experiences for advanced-level DIYers; and the "Children and Future Zone", which introduces the next-generation to DIY, and showcases games and toys unique to Japan.
As well as promoting DIY among general consumers, these events will offer store development tips for retailers and a buyer's day will be staged to attract lots of retail business operators. On top of all that, seminars on quality control will also be held to provide useful information to industry stakeholders.
We will also hold a business matching event "HOMECENTER BUSINESS MATCHING", an event for the exhibitors to hold business talks with experienced buyers who are members of our association. A further service on offer is free interpreting, for overseas exhibitors/visitors wishing to exchange information with Japanese visitors/exhibitors. We are also hoping to set up various events sections where exhibitors can take part in a number of different ways to publicize their own products. In order to encourage visits to the exhibition by industry representatives, members of the press, and members of the public, we will of course be publicizing the event itself, but we will also engage in a publicity campaign that will feature information on the exhibitors and other information across a wide range of media channels.
That completes my summary explanation of the show and our major events, and I hope that everyone in the industry will be able to exhibit and take part in the Japan DIY Homecenter Show 2018.

Feb. 2018