2012 International Home + Housewares Show: Japan Pavilion Exhibitors Rise Above Adversity

Buyers at the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show (March 10-13 at Chicago's McCormick Place) don't need to travel to Japan to experience first-hand the unique craftsmanship, high quality and design Japanese homegoods manufacturers can offer the U.S. market.

The Japan Pavilion Tohoku is a special initiative by JETRO, Japan's governmental arm for external trade, featuring ten manufacturers which hail from the three prefectures in Northeastern Japan hardest hit by last year's earthquake and tsunami - Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima. In fact, the disaster's one-year anniversary falls on Sunday, March 11, the second day of the Show. Their participation is a testament to the strength, resilience and perseverance of the Japanese people as each of these exhibitors has been affected by the disaster through property damage or loss of life, and the need to re-establish their supply chains. According to Atsushi Semimoto, Executive Director of Business Development & PR at JETRO New York, "Despite the scale of the disaster, all of our exhibitors have shown the courage to pick their lives back up, re-energize their companies, and look to new markets."

Whether vintage or contemporary, 'Made in Japan' homegoods are known worldwide for their elegant simplicity, sophisticated design and detailed craftsmanship.
Japanese design successfully merges tradition, culture and modernity - and above all, the Tohoku Region is most famous for its rich history of detailed craftsmanship, an art that has mostly been lost around the world due to mass production of homegoods. Japan is famous for the world-renowned 'Mingei Movement', which celebrates Japanese folk art and the beauty of everyday objects.

This makes Tohoku Region products highly suitable for U.S. consumers who embrace minimalistic home d�cor, value exquisite craftsmanship, enjoy international cultures, or who are devoted followers of the sophisticated Japanese cuisine. Semimoto added, "Several of our exhibitors are venturing into the U.S. market for the first time in an effort to bring their unique products to American consumers and to revitalize their businesses. They are eager to learn more about the market by participating in this show."

The ten Japan Pavilion exhibitors represent product categories ranging from wood and lacquer creations to cast iron cookware and glassware. Retailers and distributors/representatives can review the exhibitors' products in greater detail, and make appointments with them ahead of the Show, by utilizing Housewares Connect 365 on the Show's website at www.housewares.org.

Concluded Derek Miller, IHA Vice President, "The IHA is very pleased to be cooperating with JETRO on the Japan Pavilion at the 2012 Show. Helping the people and companies from the regions devastated by the earthquake and tsunami is a very worthwhile effort. We encourage all buying attendees at the Show to visit the Japan Pavilion and support the recovery effort."
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About the Japan External Trade Organization

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. JETRO has seventy-two offices in fifty-five countries, as well as six branches in the United States, located in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. Established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports, today JETRO's mandate includes encouraging overseas businesses to bring their operations to Japan, thereby stimulating healthy competition, providing new employment opportunities, and helping to improve Japan's overall economy. For companies in the US looking to expand or differentiate their product offerings, JETRO showcases premium g