LICENSING JAPAN Grew By 30 Percent

September 8, 2014

Japan is Asia’s largest market for merchandising licensed products accounting for 70 percent of the Asian market for licensed merchandise (source: Japan Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, 2012).

Being a strong and mature market, it is an ideal market to build reliable relationships and serves as a keystone of Asia at the vanguard of marketing trends in Asian countries.

LICENSING JAPAN is Japan’s leading international B-to-B trade show for characters and brands and this year’s edition of was successfully held from July 2-4 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan.

The show collectively gathered a wide range of characters, newly launched animations, world-wide brands, etc. from Japan, Asia and the world, expanded its scale by 30 percent from last year. Throughout the show period, participants were actively conducting business meetings, sharing various contacts and information with one another.

In combination with the exhibition, concurrent events allowed participants to learn the latest trends and catch key information in how to succeed in the Japanese market.

The conference provided an opportunity for participants to learn about Licensor’s know-hows, the latest and future trends of the market were shared by International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA, JAPAN), and other experts of the licensing field in Japan.

The winners of “Licensing of the Year 2014 in JAPAN” were also presented during the show at the official award ceremony, held within the exhibition hall. The Grand-prix winner was “funassyi”, a very popular mascot in Japan. 

LICENSING JAPAN served as the key venue to catch the latest trends in Japan as well as being a platform for license holders and potential licensees to discuss business with professionals from Japan and Asia. 

Exhibitors and attendees alike gave the show high marks.

"We exhibited for the first time to cultivate Japanese market. Having 45 meetings with potential licensees, we expect to close deals with several products such as Toys, Apparel,Beverage, and Gadgets, etc. Loyalty-based income will be approx. USD 50,000,” said a representative for AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI (Italy).  

A visitor from China added, "I had a very satisfying visit. Through this show we will become licensing agents of Japanese characters in Malaysia and Singapore market.” 

LICENSING JAPAN 2014 show concluded with a positive note and the booth space for the next edition has been almost sold out.

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