Until we can meet you again, we at the Japan Convention Bureau are doing our best to continue informing you on our destination and helping you prepare your future events.

 

In this newsletter, we give you a recap of our first webinar for meeting and incentive planners in France, as well as a case study of a hybrid event in Japan. 

 

We also share with you reports that will guide you through Japan’s innovative clusters and attractive convention destinations. Finally, we introduce you to online experiences of Japanese culture and new hotels that await your return.

• Japan began its vaccination campaign on 17ᵗʰ February, starting with healthcare professionals.

• On 1ˢᵗ March, the government of Japan has lifted its state of emergency in the regions of Nagoya, Gifu, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Fukuoka. It lifted it in Tokyo and its surroundings, the last targeted regions, on 21ˢᵗ March. Although the number of confirmed cases has decreased, the authorities continue to call for vigilance, and some cities such as Tokyo are maintaining measures to make businesses close earlier.

• On 20ᵗʰ March, the authorities in charge of organising the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced that, due to the global health situation, they will not be able to welcome foreign spectators. The tickets bought by foreign spectators to attend the Games will be refunded. Read more on Tokyo 2020's statement.

• Phased measures toward resuming cross-border travel remain suspended until further notice. Check the most up-to-date information on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.

Last month, we organised our first MICE webinar for French meeting and event planners with our partners Japan Airlines, JTB Europe and Prince Hotels & Resorts.

 

Using a complete and interactive platform, we have offered our guests an overview of what Japan and our partners have to offer for their events, as well as an update on the measures taken against Covid-19.

We know that post-Covid events will require an even higher added value.That is why we decided to help you make the most of one of Japan’s key strengths: innovation.

 

In our latest report, you will find overviews of 16 cities. These leading venues for international meetings will inspire your participants with their scientific and technological innovation during your conferences, seminars and study tours.

In 2020, the organisation of international conferences has had to completely change due to Covid-19.

The Asia Pacific Summit of ICCA (the International Congress and Convention Association), held in December at PACIFICO Yokohama, was an opportunity to demonstrate innovative methods to connect local attendees and Asian members participating online.

In our case study, we interview the Summit organisers and give you a glimpse of the topics discussed during this hybrid conference.

With 19 Japanese cities ranking in the top 100 of the ICCA Statistics for Asia Pacific meetings, Japan offers a large range of leading destinations for international conferences.

In its latest report, HQ, the magazine for associations, shows the reasons of this success and walks you through 4 cities to consider in the future: Kitakyushu, Hiroshima, Toyama and Sendai.

Finally, experts share their conference experiences in Japan in two case studies.

Although visiting Japan is not possible at the moment, you can still get a feeling of the country’s culture, cuisine and spiritual traditions from the comfort of your home thanks to the online experiences we recommend on our website.

What better time than now to try Zen meditation or learn how to cook authentic Japanese vegan cuisine? And to then reward yourself by enjoying the charming company of an actual geisha.

Marriott International will open its first W hotel in Japan in Osaka city this March. The hotel’s contemporary design pays homage to Osaka’s playful culture.

The Azumi, a new Japanese hotel brand (pictured above), is also opening its doors in March. Stylised as a traditional Japanese inn for the global modern traveller, the property is in the famed Seto Inland Sea.

Kyoto welcomes the new Fauchon L'Hotel Kyoto, an unexpected but delightful French twist in the heart of Japanese tradition.