Japanese Exhibitors Find Success @ NYIGF 2012

For more information on the exhibitors and event details please see the Event Page

With over 36000 visitors and over 2700 exhibitors in attendance, this year's New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) was, once again, a huge success for the 26 Japanese exhibitors under JETRO's 14th annual Japan Pavilion. Represented at the show were companies from 11 different prefectures (including 3 companies from the Tohoku region) each one with their own unique brand of gift-type goods including kitchen tools, livingware, fashion accessories and other specialty items.

Japanese goods have been increasingly popular at NYIGF in recent years, a reflection of the trend towards the simple and timeless, but modern, designs Japanese companies offer. In this tough economy, many consumers are attracted to items that won't go out of style but are still unique, even when the cost is a little higher. This year was no different, as all of the exhibitors under the Japan Pavilion received plenty of positive attention including visits from over 20 major U.S. companies such as: T.J. Maxx, MICHAELS, Target, JC Penny, Williams-Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond, The Container Store, Crate & Barrel, Staples, Office Depot, west elm, The Metropolitan Museum and the MOMA. 

As a part of JETRO's ongoing efforts to promote the distinctive and efficient designs of Japanese goods to US companies, the Japan Pavilion at New York International Gift Fair continues to be an important and ongoing event.

If you missed the opportunity to see these exhibitors at NYIGF 2012, you can find more detailed information about the companies and their products at HERE

* Spotlight on Japanese design companies from the Tohoku region: 
With the help of JETRO, 3 earthquake-affected companies from the Tohoku region were able to participate in the Japan Pavilion at NYIGF 2012. Below is a summary of their experiences at this year's show.

1. Kodaisangyo -- Headquartered in the Fukushima region, Kodaisangyo is a leader in the DIY market in Japan, using only FSC-certified and sustainable Japanese cypress and Japanese cedar wood to create aesthetically pleasing as well as environmentally conscious items. In order to directly address the concerns of US buyers about radiation in the Fukushima region, the company brought a radiation detector to the show. This was used to demonstrate to potential buyers that all Kodaisangyo products are absolutely safe and unaffected by the nuclear disaster. The company prides itself on the high-quality and eco-friendliness of their products and came to NYIGF determined to impress these values upon potential US buyers.
   
   
   
2. Konno Printing -- Konno Printing, headquartered in Sendai, Japan, participated in the NYIGF for the second time this year thanks to their great experience at the event last August. Although still recovering from the aftermath of the quake when they first attended the show, their difficult circumstances only further motivated them to participate. Taking all that they learnt from their first experience, the company felt they were much better prepared this time. And, working with JETRO's support, managed to create more appealing displays, improve buyer interactions, and better select products specifically targeting the US market.
   
   
   
   
3. Azoth -- Hailing from the Sendai/Miyagi region of Northeastern Japan, Azoth produces original design T-shirts targeting young modern audiences. Azoth's unique vision is to create products which incorporate themes of tradition and modernity which will appeal to young passionate job-seekers with dreams and hopes for the future. The Azoth factory in Sendai was severely damaged by the earthquake but thanks to strong partnerships in other regions, the company was able to move production to a partnering factory in Kyoto for the time being. Company representatives were particularly happy to meet with Whole Foods buyers at the show who expressed strong interest in the Azoth's use of unique natural dying techniques in their T-shirts.