JAPAN – The Japanese exhibition sector suffered another setback on 12 April as Japanese authorities raised the severity rating of their Fukushima nuclear crisis to the highest possible.
The news, which reflects the ongoing release of radiation at the plant rather than a sudden deterioration, brings the severity level to seven, a level last seen during the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine.
The crisis entered a new phase last week when a second earthquake led to the evacuation of the nuclear plant.
Tokyo, home to the Tokyo Big Sight (TBS) exhibition complex as well as the offices of several regional organisers, felt the aftershock, which came one month after the initial earthquake struck off Japan’s north-east coast, leaving more than 13,000 dead and 150,000 homeless.
The disaster has had a lasting effect on Japan's economy, with the International Monetary Fund downgrading its growth forecast for Japan's economy to 1.4 per cent this year, compared to a previous forecast of 1.6 per cent. However, its projection for Japan's growth next year rises to 2.1 per cent.
For international organisers, the post-quake clearup operation and ongoing nuclear crisis has created confusion as to whether or not it is prudent to proceed with international events in Japan. Some organisers and venues are postponing or cancelling events, while others are continuing in the hope that it will help limit the damage done to the Japanese exhibition industry.
TBS cancelled events including International Auto Materials and Processing Technologies Tokyo (16-18 March) and the Tokyo Motorcycle Show 2011 (25-27 March), while Reed Exhibitions Japan and Messe Frankfurt Japan both claimed that events will be held as scheduled. UBM also postponed several shows, primarily in the medical sector, including MedTec Japan, the Tokyo Health Industry Show and CPhI Japan.
Speaking to EW about the situation in Japan, UBM Asia MD Jime Essink said that the issue lies not with radiation levels or potential damage to venue walls, but instead with local priorities and the mindset of the Japanese people.
“You need to have consideration,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense to push out a show when a country is still in shock, or when you’re sure the turnout of the event would be very negative because no buyers will show up.
“Our policy is to think about the long-term value of the brand and the company, so it’s better to postpone or to cancel for the sake of yourcustomers.
Essink added that contractors such as electrical suppliers, and in many cases the delegates and companies these events designed for, would better serve the areas affected by the disaster. “Of course we would like to do our business but sometimes there are different priorities,” he said.
UBM postponed its own Japanese events until June, and moved one event to Osaka as a result of the disaster.
“We look at it day by day,” said Essink. “In a certain situation there is a need to go ahead with a show, because people also need confidence that life will go on. But that will need careful timing.
“As long as this plant is not under control, it will be very hard to push an event through.”
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