Label Forum Japan to showcase international developments

A major label conference in Tokyo, Japan, will address the rapidly changing trends in this key global market, which accounts for one third of the labels consumed in the Asia-Pacific region. Label Forum Japan takes place at the Bellesalle Shiodome Tokyo between 22-23 July 2010.

Japan today is a major user of high quality, gravure-printed shrink sleeve labels, while the self-adhesive sector is characterized by smaller-scale converters printing letterpress. This situation is changing rapidly as gravure comes under environmental pressure and end users source labels outside Japan printed flexo or UV flexo.  

Organized jointly by Label Shimbun – Japan’s leading label-dedicated publication – and Labelexpo Global Series, and supported by Labels & Labeling and the Japanese Federation of Labels Printers (JFLP), the two-day Label Forum features an opening address from Akihiko Ouchi, president and CEO of conference sponsor Lintec. Lintec is in a unique position to understand trends in the label market in Japan, as it both manufactures labelstock and narrow web letterpress machines. The company is also agent for Mark Andy and HP Indigo, extending its reach into flexography and digital printing. The keynote address, on trends in the Japanese label market, will be delivered by Label Shimbun chief editor Natsuki Uchida.

The view of the end user comes from Hiroko Yamada of Kose Cosmeport, a Japanese toiletries and cosmetics products manufacturer which exports its products throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The conference will also hear from Munehiko Takada from beverage giant Suntory, the second biggest Japanese manufacturer of soft drinks, the country’s third largest beer manufacturer and main bottler of whisky.

Developments in digital printing are of key interest to Japanese converters, and the conference looks at this area in some detail. On the first day there are presentations from EFI, Durst and EskoArtwork. On Day two the JFLP leads a panel discussion looking at the future direction of digital printing in Japan. Later that afternoon, there are presentations from wide format inkjet specialist Roland DG and HP Indigo.

The growing interest in UV flexo in Japan is reflected in sessions led by Omet and Nilpeter on day two, when there are additional technology and market presentations from Avery Dennison on trends in self-adhesive technology, and from inspection specialist Erhardt + Leimer.

Day two will have a strongly international flavor, with L&L editor Andy Thomas looking at global label industry trends, followed by a panel session of international label converters.

Five leading label converters will talk about their strategies and how they have innovated in label manufacturing. There is a session on in-line label manufacturing, including advice on coating release liners and printing and converting of the substrate from Mr Yukosha, president of Masaaki Ono. Sunny Sealing president Hirofumi Tomiyoshi explains how to set up a strategic planning operation. Other converters on the panel include Shojyudo and Takakuwa Art Printing and CCL.

Wider business trends are covered by two presentations: Akihiro Nishizawa at design agency Eiight looks at label design and brand strategy and Munehiko Takada examines trends in beverage bottle labels.

The Label Forum also includes a tabletop exhibition featuring leading Japanese and international suppliers to the labels industry, including event sponsors Lintec, and Gold sponsor is Avery Dennison. The other sponsors are Durst, E+L, Nilpeter, MTJN, EFI, EskoArtwork, HP, Xeikon and Roland.

For more information and a full program listing visit www.labelforum.jp or www.labelshimbun.com.