Despite a sluggish domestic economy that is only now beginning to recover from its worst-ever recession, Japan’s 21st International Jewellery Tokyo fair showcased new and exciting designs from 1350 local and international companies.
IJT Show Management spokesperson Katherine Kanami Nishimura said the fair did record a slight drop in exhibitor and visitors numbers – but not as much as could have been expected given the country’s current economic situation.
The fair, which was held at Tokyo Big Sight from January 27-30, attracted 1509 exhibitors and 37,936 visitors last year and 1350 exhibitors and 35,763 visitors this year.
Nishimura attributes most of the drop in exhibitor numbers to local economic conditions and the fall in visitor numbers to the absence of seminars at this year’s fair.
She said the seminars attracted 2316 people to the 2009 fair.
“In that sense, we feel that this year’s visitor numbers have decreased but the number of actual buyers have increased.”
“Our exhibitors were quite satisfied with the show results and we were very busy all four days of the show.”
The 2011 International Jewellery Tokyo fair will be held from January 26 to 29.
For more information visit www.ijt.jp/english/