RX Japan. First for business, talent and innovation
As the No. 1 event organiser in the third largest economy in the world, RX Japan is a dynamic driver of business growth and innovation across Japan and Asia. From world class events and cutting edge launches, to innovative event tech and award-winning talent, we look back over a busy few years for the company, and forward to an exciting future.
RX Japan launched their first jewellery trade show in 1986. Today, International Jewellery Tokyo (IJT) is one of the biggest and most influential jewellery trade shows in the Asia-Pacific region, and RX is now Japan’s leading event organiser, running 90 events every year, bringing together 1.3 million visitors and 30,000 exhibitors.
RX Japan operates across 38 industries, keeping a close eye on emerging trends and sector needs. In a country known for leading in technology innovation, it is incredibly successful at launching cutting-edge events that deliver for its customers.
“We’re in the business of building businesses” explained President Takashi Tanaka, who has been at the helm since 2019. “We cater for the unique needs of the Japanese market, while using the global expertise and resources of RX to add value for our customers. Through our market-leading events and strategic new launches, we facilitate significant business opportunities in Asia, and across the world, while also cultivating industry know-how, innovation and growth.”
World class events
RX Japan serves a broad range of industries, from electronics, manufacturing, IT and automotive, to smart energy, cosmetics, medical, fashion and food. Many of its flagship events in Tokyo are replicated in Osaka, Nagoya, Makuhari and other regional centres, enabling buyers and sellers to meet and do business in the heartlands of Japanese industry and innovation.
Now in its twentieth year, Smart Energy Week has expanded from the world’s first (and still largest) event dedicated to hydrogen and fuel cell technology to one of the world’s leading events for smart energy tech and carbon neutral solutions. Attracting a record-breaking 69,000 attendees, the February 2024 edition filled Tokyo Big Sight, showcasing the latest ground-breaking advances in hydrogen and fuel cells, solar power, rechargeable batteries, smart grids, wind power, biomass, and zero-emission thermal power.
As the popularity of Japanese cuisine surges worldwide so does Japan’s food-related exports. So, it was no surprise to see so many buyers exploring new products and partnership opportunities at the 8th Japan Food Export Fair in Tokyo in June 2024. Strongly supported by the Japanese Government, the fair took place alongside JFEX, Asia’s leading food and beverage show, which brought together 900 exhibitors and over 27,000 visitors, including some 4,000 overseas buyers from 70 countries.
June also saw the return of the powerhouse that is Manufacturing World Tokyo, Asia’s leading manufacturing trade show. Combining 11 specialised trade shows, the mega event showcased the latest digital transformation services for manufacturers, factory automation, additive manufacturing, mechanical components, measuring products and more. Manufacturing World returns to Osaka in October and Fukuoka in December, enabling more regionally targeted business interactions and growth opportunities.
Cutting edge markets
Japan is a hotspot for technology and innovation – and by keeping close to its customers and industry partners, RX Japan has developed an almost uncanny ability to successfully identify and launch events serving tomorrow’s big growth markets.
First held in 2017, AI Expo Tokyo addresses the burgeoning interest in artificial intelligence and has quickly become a cornerstone for AI innovation and collaboration. Advanced E-Commerce & Retail Expo focuses on the evolving landscape of e-commerce and retail technologies, enabling businesses to discover the latest solutions in online retail, digital marketing, and customer experience enhancement. And Sustainable Materials Expo supports the rising demand for sustainable practices, by showcasing innovative materials and technologies that contribute to carbon reduction.
Femtech Tokyo was launched in October 2022 when RX Japan saw the huge business potential for a platform designed to accelerate innovation and positive change in the women’s health sector. Japan has the highest number of cases of infertility treatment in the world, and long-held taboos around women’s health make it difficult for women to talk openly about what are perceived in Japan to be ‘delicate’ issues. So successful has the event been, that for 2024 it has been rebranded Fem+, (17-19 October), a more comprehensive event for women’s health and empowerment of all ages combining Femtech Tokyo and the Women’s Mental Health Care Expo.
The global space industry is expected to soar to $1.8 trillion by 2035*, and Japan is emerging as a key player. Unlike other space-related events focused on R&D, RX’s newly launched SPEXA transcends boundaries by bridging the gap between the space industry and other mainstream sectors. Making its debut in April 2024 at Tokyo Big Sight, the event featured a diverse array of exhibitors, including leading Japanese startups and businesses exploring space-related ventures.
Data-driven business opportunities
Not content with delivering cutting-edge events, RX Japan is harnessing the power of digital and data to drive more value for its attendees and exhibitors.
In 2022 the team began rolling out RX’s ‘Mercury’ registration and ticketing system, making it possible for attendees to pre-register themselves before the event, and to print their own exhibition badge at home. Now instead of waiting in line in to register, attendees at RX Japan’s events can pass straight through to the show and get down to business!
Introducing Mercury in Japan has also enabled the rollout of RX’s Lead Manager service, which enables exhibitors to scan the QR codes on attendee badges, capture their trusted registration data, and prioritise their leads by adding notes and star ratings.
“Exchanging business cards continues to be an important part of Japanese business etiquette, but Lead Manager enables much faster lead capture, qualification and follow-up” explained Tanaka. “Exhibitors also have access to Exhibitor Dashboard which enables them to view their leads, matchmaking recommendations and digital engagement in one place, in real time, and make data-informed decisions on how to get more from our events.”
Award-winning talent
At RX Japan, Tanaka has built an environment in which people can thrive. Every year RX announces its global NIMBLE awards to the RXers who best embody its values – Networked, Inclusive, Magical, Brave, Love of Learning, and Entrepreneurial. In 2023, two of the six awards were won by colleagues from Japan.
Sayo Hirano leads our International Sales Group (ISG) in Japan. The ISG are responsible for helping Japanese exporters access international markets through RX’s global portfolio of trade shows. Networking is key to a successful outcome, for RX’s event teams and for their clients, and Sayo’s networks are second to none! She is passionate about bridge-building and her win-win mindset inspires confidence in her team and her customers.
Junichi Kondo’s love of learning has accelerated his career as a Senior Sales Specialist for RX Japan. Keen to deliver more value for his customers, Junichi took a deep dive into understanding customer behaviours, studied for a qualification in statistics, and became a certified web analyst/SEO. By sharing his findings, he is now inspiring his colleagues to embrace learning too.
Looking to the future
In April 2023, RX Japan relocated to the newly completed Tokyo Midtown Yaesu building, right in front of Tokyo Station, Japan’s largest railway terminal. In its new HQ, aptly named RX Central, RX Japan is an organisation which is connected, forward-looking, and going places.
Reflecting the shift in workplace culture since the pandemic, RX Central’s open plan design puts flexibility, collaborative working and employee wellbeing at its heart. “Instead of working in silos, we can now choose how and where we want to work, resulting in greater interaction and creativity between our departments and teams” said Hiroko Higuchi, Senior Specialist in Corporate Branding, who led the relocation project. “To continue to build more business for our customers, we need to attract the best talent in the industry, and RX Central has put RX Japan well and truly on the map!”
With its central location, meeting and social spaces, RX Central is also a hub for business and social gatherings with customers, Embassy officials and industry partners.
“We have called our new HQ ‘RX Central’ for a reason,” said Tanaka. “It represents our bold determination to continue to lead the development of Japan’s exhibition industry, for the benefit of our people, customers, and partners. Together from RX Central we have embarked on an exciting new future.”
With over 90 events serving 38 sectors, RX Japan is your gateway to new partnerships, growth and innovation in Japan and across Asia. Check out their full calendar of events for more information.
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