JAPAN – The Japanese events sector suffered another setback today (12 April) as Japanese authorities raised the severity rating of their Fukushima nuclear crisis to the highest possible level seven, last seen during the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine.
The crisis entered a new phase last week when a second earthquake.
Tokyo, home to the Tokyo Big Sight (TBS) event complex, as well as the offices of several regional event organisers, felt the aftershock, which came one month after the initial earthquake struck off Japan’s north-east coast.
The disaster has created confusion as to whether or not it is prudent to proceed with Japanese events https://www.old.c-mw.net/newsdetails/1260/overseas-quake-coverage-damaging-to-japanese-events-says-jexa-chief. Some organisers and venues have been postponing or cancelling events, while others are continuing.
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.
Speaking to CMW about the situation, 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 your customers.
Essink added that contractors such as electrical suppliers, and in many cases the delegates and companies these events designed for, are in demand in the areas affected by the disaster. “Of course we would like to do our business but sometimes there are different priorities,” he said.
UBM Asia postponed its events until June, and moved one event to Osaka as a result of the disaster.
“As long as this (nuclear) plant is not under control, it will be very hard to push an event through,” said Essink.
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