Greetings - Responding to the strong demand for physical shows -

The two shows, <JFW JAPAN CREATION (JFW-JC) 2022> and <Premium Textile Japan (PTJ) 2022 AUTUMN/WINTER>, were held concurrently over two days at the Tokyo International Forum/Hall E and ended safely on December 8. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the emerging new Omicron variant, all possible preventive measures were taken, including safety regulations such as limiting visitor numbers. Sincere thanks go to all who attended for their cooperation and support. This year, a total of 52 entries with 293 companies/187.9 booths, (cf. JFW-JC2021: 47 entries with 242 companies/168.9 booths) for JFW-JC, and 66 entries (companies) /98.5 booths (cf. PTJ2021AW: 66 companies/92.75 booths) for PTJ, were recorded, reflecting the impact of the pandemic. Despite ongoing COVID-19, however, we decided to go ahead with the shows to provide a business platform allowing visitors to exchange views in person and physically touch the fabrics on site. It was also in response to the strong visitor feedback in favour of holding the shows.

In terms of visitor numbers, we had a relatively slow start on both days, especially in the morning, with fewer attending than the previous year. This is partly due to certain companies imposing pandemic-related restrictions on buyer numbers to visit exhibitions. Nevertheless, the afternoon of the second day saw numerous visitors arrive, despite adverse weather, up to the prescribed limit of 1250, whereupon the numbers had to be adjusted three times as part of COVID-19 preventive measures. Meanwhile, despite work from home becoming the established norm, the significance of a physical show enabling direct dialogue for business negotiations and direct contact with fabrics was once again highly acclaimed and reflected in the enthusiastic atmosphere throughout the fair.

We also consider handling via digitalization a crucial area. Our JFW Textile Online Salon (JTO), newly launched this May, was introduced in the trend/index corner to further boost awareness. Although it is currently designed to complement the physical shows, we have been striving to complete the English version for the textile-producing regions in particular and aim to consolidate the content by inserting videos to be utilised as learning tools in future.

Our upcoming shows, <PTJ2023SS> for spring/summer will be held at the Tokyo International Forum/Hall E on May 25-26, 2022, followed by <PTJ2023AW> and <JFW-JC2023> in the autumn/winter, on Nov. 1-2, 2022 at the same venue. Thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to your visit.

Growing awareness of sustainability

Given ever-greater awareness of sustainability each year, we decided on a sustainability-related theme for our PTJ-related programme; >Textile Workshop – Let’s learn Japan fabrics>. This is a program for younger employees (with fewer than five years’ working experience), inviting lecturers from major textile-producing regions having exhibited at the PTJ/JFW-JC events to lecture on different thematic fabrics. We also aim to boost insights into and familiarity with Japanese fabrics and regions. Building on the success of the lectures on sustainability delivered during <PTJ2022SS> last May, we decided to develop the same theme further. A JFW textile seminar was also held on the second day, Dec. 7, featuring invited speaker Ms. Kikuko Hirasawa from TOYOSHIMA & CO., LTD., who gave a lecture on ‘Certification standards of sustainable fibres’. It was well received by attendees, with positive comments like: ‘It was easy to understand’, ‘We hope this kind of program will continue.’

This time around saw us celebrate the 30th edition of the JFW-JC event, as the sole comprehensive textile fair in Japan, while PTJ celebrated its 21st edition as a business-oriented salon. A ceremony to commemorate both anniversaries and express gratitude to exhibitors for their support was held on the night of Dec. 7. We consider that their collections, featuring newly developed products and promotions as well as the achievements made in both shows, have all been key to the success of the exhibitions organized to date.

Conversely, both shows have also promoted collaborative approaches between companies and textile regions, although this was not an explicitly stated aim. One of the dyeing/finishing companies, for example, made it a rule to indicate not just the finishing method on the sample hanger, but also name the supplier of grey fabrics to which their finish was applied. This reflected their intention to go beyond self-promotion alone and also introduce the fabric maker and supplier they work with. This attitude has evolved into rolling out new products, as exemplified by the collaboration between a finishing company and a fabric maker. Consolidating such teamwork, linking yarns, fabrics and finishing, will help the Japan-based textile industry further cement its presence worldwide.

The state of emergency issued in 19 prefectures alongside semi-emergency coronavirus measures in a further eight prefectures have been lifted since September 30. Demand for heavy clothing in shops in sales terms has also started growing amid November temperatures starting to fall. Apparently, the textile industry is showing long-awaited signs of recovery after a protracted and challenging period. That said, the global emergence and impact of the new Omicron variant has sparked fresh concerns. Regardless, the two shows <JFW-JC2022> and <PTJ2022AW> were held concurrently. Over and above the COVID-19 crisis, other recent issues emerging have included cost hikes, which can be summed up as follows: ‘Recently, soaring prices of crude oil, raw materials and chemical agents, as well as distribution costs, have hit us enormously and we are reaching the limits of what we can absorb ourselves in house. Deciding when to announce a cost increase is a serious concern, even more so than COVID-19 itself.’

Nevertheless, numerous positive comments from guests came throughout the fair: ‘Unlike communication by email, it was great to attend a physical show after a long interval.’ ‘We have been using China-made fabrics to date, but those made in Japan looked fresh and great.’ ‘Since all preventive measures were taken within the venue, it eased our concerns over COVID infection. We also found what we wanted to source.’ The feedback from exhibitors was also positive: ‘Many more visitors came to our booth than before, with clearly focused objectives.’ ‘We participated in the fair for the first time, counting on the chance to attract visitors and we are likely to win over new customers.’ ‘We have met buyers from different fields other than apparel, such as bag/umbrella makers. We see scope to expand our repertoire to encompass many other categories beyond apparel’, all of which reflect positive responses.

Meanwhile, the PTJ-related program included two lectures: <Textile Workshop - Let’s learn Japan fabrics. >. On Dec. 7, Mr. Shigeaki Uzui, from MEIRIN SENI CO., LTD. representing Fukui Region discussed ‘Sustainability based on raw materials’, while Mr. Atsuo Yoshida from YOSHIDA SENKO CO., LTD. representing Wakayama Region gave a lecture on ‘Sustainability at raw materials – dyeing/finishing’ on Dec. 8. Furthermore, in the JFW Textile seminar held on Dec. 7, Ms. Kikuko Hirasawa from TOYOSHIMA & CO., LTD. lectured on ‘Let’s learn certification standards of sustainable fibres right from the start.’, aiming to enhance the dissemination of information.

As for the JFW-JC related programme, on the second day, Dec. 8, an annual event; <PIGGY’S SPECIAL> (pigskin fashion show) was held at the exclusive stage in the lobby gallery. Twelve fashion-related schools participated in the student section while three designers; <tactor> (by Ms. Nayuko Yamamoto), <MIDDLA> (by Ohal Ando) and <Re:quaL≡> (by Tetsuya Doi) presented their works in the professional section.

On the night of Dec. 7, a ceremony to commemorate the 30th JFW JAPAN CREATION and 21st Premium Textile Japan events was held, at which the following companies were honoured with trophies:

- JFW-JC exhibitors achieving ten consecutive participations (nine companies/associations)

- PTJ exhibitors achieving ten consecutive participations (11 companies)

- PTJ exhibitors achieving 21 consecutive participations (nine companies)

【No. of exhibitors】

JFW-JC2022	:	52 entries, 293 companies /187.9 booths (incl. overseas exhibitors: 2 entries/ 5 booths)
PTJ2022AW	:	66 companies / 98.5 booths (incl. overseas exhibitors: 3 companies/3 booths)

【No. of visitors】

 11,387

JFW Textile Online Salon <JTO>

＊Highlighted fabrics by exhibitors at PTJ2022A/W & JFW-JC2022 - can be viewed via :

jfw-textile-online.com ＞＞＞

Premium Textile Japan 2023 Spring/Summer

Dates	:	May 25- 26, 2022 (Wed. – Thu.)
Venue	:	Tokyo International Forum/Hall E

JFW JAPAN CREATION 2023

Dates	:	Nov. 1-2, 2022 (Tue. – Wed.)
Venue	:	Tokyo International Forum/Hall E

■ To be concurrently held with: Premium Textile Japan 2023 Autumn/Winter