Tokyo Pack targets international growth

Owned and operated by the Japan Packaging Institute (JPI), Tokyo Pack is a packaging exhibition that takes place in the Japanese capital, featuring more than 2,600 booths representing 600 companies in the 23,000 sq m exhibition space, and attracting more than 70,000 visitors from inside Japan and overseas.

Exhibitors include those presenting packaging substrates and consumables, from inks and laminating adhesives to carton and biopolymers, and printing and converting equipment, from digital press technology to laminators, die-cutting units and platemaking equipment. Design, workflow, inspection and distribution are other categories and services represented by exhibitors at the event.

During the last edition in 2012, more than 170,000 people visited the four-day exhibition in Tokyo. The next instalment takes place on October 7-10, with 2016 to mark the 50^th anniversary of the show’s launch.

EP Resources provides specialized packaging industry information in the Asia-Pacific region through its market analysis and consultancy services, and through its publishing division.

Tasked with raising the profile of the Tokyo Pack exhibition, and helping JPI members and Tokyo Pack exhibitors grow their international presence, EP Resources will provide analysis and assistance to introduce Japan’s packaging industry and Tokyo Pack 2014 in the strategic overseas markets of South East Asia, Europe and North America.  In addition, EP will consult on developing the Tokyo Pack 2014 English language website, printed materials, advertising and communication.

A major part of the co-operation will be a one-day orientation program to Japanese packaging for foreign visitors on October 6. Jointly developed by EP Resources and JPI, the Tokyo Pack Insight Japan Tour will provide an introduction to the Japanese packaging industry, introducing the key drivers of Japanese consumer packaging, environmental, legislative and the cultural influences on packaging technology, research and development, and design.

‘The Japanese packaging industry is frequently mischaracterized in the West as being cute, elaborate and over-packed,’ said Stuart Hoggard, chief executive officer of EP Resources.

‘This is far from the truth. Our job is to de-mystify that image and help JPI, its members and Tokyo Pack 2014 exhibitors expand their markets overseas.

‘Certainly packaging in Japan is elaborate, but the common view in Japan is that “if a company’s packaging is not 100 percent perfect, the product inside might not also be perfect”. This mindset and demand for quality is what has made Japanese packaging so technologically advanced as well as sustainable.

‘The Japanese packaging industry is well-poised for growth not only in Japan, but in international markets. EP Resources is honoured to have been chosen by Japan Packaging Institute to be its strategic markets partner and look forward to helping Japan cement its position as one of the world’s leading packaging markets.’

Yoichi Sonoyama, secretary-general of the Tokyo Pack 2014 secretariat, said: ‘The appointment of EP Resources will strengthen the Tokyo Pack exhibition in the international market as exhibitors and Japan Packaging Institute members are increasingly looking to expand sales and operations overseas.’

Hajime Furuya, JPI director and secretary-general, said: ‘Japan Packaging Institute has had a close relationship with Mr Hoggard since 1996, when he first addressed the Japanese International Packaging Symposium held at Tokyo Pack, and we are now pleased that we are able to collaborate with EP Resources to further develop our members’ overseas interests.’

Pictured (from left): Hajime Furuya, director and secretary-general of the Japan Packaging Institute; Stuart Hoggard, CEO of EP Resources; and Yoichi Sonoyama, secretary-general of the Tokyo Pack 2014 secretariat