In light of the catastrophic trio of events of March 11, including what is now known as the Great East Japan or Tohoku megathrust earthquake, the ensuing tsunami and the resulting problems with reactors at the Fukushima I and II Nuclear Power Plants, the organisers of IGAS, the Japan Graphic Arts Suppliers Committee (JGASC), were at pains to point out that it is safe to travel to Japan and that the infrastructure at the exhibition building, Tokyo Big Sight, was not affected by the above incidents.
Whilst the Japanese people and industry have been urged to implement a 15 per cent reduction in electricity consumption due to the reduced electricity generation following the shutdown of a number of nuclear reactors, this reduction is apparently being achieved with minimum disruption – most noticeable by visitors as dimly lit and minimally air-conditioned public areas.
Stakeholders in the Japanese graphic arts supply industry decided, almost three months after the disaster, that the best way forward was to support the recovery of the industry by continuing with plans to stage Igas as normal, whilst offering the industry’s support for those most immediately affected by the disaster – including the residents of approximately 4.4 million households in northeastern Japan who were initially left without electricity and 1.5 million without water.
In the immediate aftermath of March 11, as digital communications broke down, residents of the affected areas came to rely upon analogue communications: paper-based communication was the only way many residents could keep in touch with events unfolding. “It is time to reflect on the true nature and value of paper communication at this time,” says JGASC and IGAS president, Yoshiharu Komori.
IGAS will occupy all halls of Tokyo Big Sight’s East Building, where 308 companies will exhibit on 2718 stands (as at July 29). The exhibition area in 2011 is approximately 60 per cent of the size of IGAS 2007, following the effects of the global economic crisis as well of course as the events and aftermath of March 11. Organisers are expecting 100,000 to attend the six-day event.
Being held exactly six months after the earthquake, organisers are using the event to provide assistance for the restoration of the printing industry in affected areas. Support activities, such as the presentation of donations, special exhibitions in support of reconstruction, a reconstruction assistance ‘stamp rally’ and more will rely upon the cooperation of visitors and exhibitors alike.
A member of the league of four largest printing equipment exhibitions in the world held on a rotating basis, IGAS includes lectures and conferences, among them the International Forum on the Environment, Global Print meetings, the Asian Symposium (Japanese Society of Printing Science and Technology), the Autumn Seminar (Japanese Society of Printing Science and Technology), the World Printing Conference (Japan Federation of Printing Industries) and the All Japan Printing Industry Association Forum (All Japan Printing Industry Association).
Meanwhile, the research activities of 14 laboratories at universities all over Japan are displayed in the “Advanced Technology Zone” which has become a highly anticipated offering of IGAS. Other industry groups scheduled to meet include Global Print, the Japan Printing Machinery Association, the All Japan Printing Industry Association and CIP4.
For detailed information on IGAS 2011 and the presentations of leading exhibiting companies including Fujifilm (Stand E5-1), Ryobi (E4-1), Dainippon Screen (E3-2), Horizon (E2-3), HP (E4-5), Konica Minolta (E1-1), Duplo (E5-2) and Komori (E3-1), refer to the August issue of Australian Printer magazine.
Entry to IGAS 2011 for the duration – six days – costs ¥2000 (approximately A$23.50); pre-registration is available for half that price, ¥1000 (approx A$11.75). Australian Printer readers are encouraged to contact the magazine for an Invitation which entitles the bearer to free entry to IGAS.
Go here for the complete IGAS 2011 exhibitor list, A to Z.
More information about the event and exhibitors will be published in the lead-up to IGAS 2011.
*New Zealand Printer and Australian Printer was the exclusive media invited from Australia or New Zealand to the IGAS 2011 Press Conference; representatives of other leading media were invited from China, Hong Kong, India, Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan.
