[Inter BEE 2018] Inter BEE 2018 is now open! During the opening session, the start of Inter BEE was declared loudly with much fanfare! 1,152 companies, the largest number in the show's history, will be exhibiting.

For 3 days, starting November 14th (Wednesday) until the 16th (Friday), the comprehensive media exhibition Inter BEE 2018 will be held at Makuhari Messe. The opening ceremonies for Inter BEE 2018 were held at Convention Hall A on the 2nd floor of the Makuhari Messe International Conference Hall, where the exhibition was kicked off to loud fanfare.

■ "This exhibition is making a great transformation into a comprehensive media event" - Masaki Sakuyama, Chairman, Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA).
At the start of the opening session, Masaki Sakuyama, Chairman of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), stood at the podium and made these remarks.
“As digital technology continues to make rapid strides forward, the world is experiencing great change. JEITA is working in cooperation with various industries to make the Ultra-smart Society 5.0 a reality. Inter BEE is no exception. This exhibition is making a great transformation into a comprehensive media event that not only features broadcasting equipment, but also focuses on collectively "making, transmitting, and receiving" uplifting and enjoyable user experiences with an emphasis on content. Jointly sponsoring Inter BEE with the DCEXPO exhibition, hosted by the Digital Content Association of Japan, is a part of these efforts.”
“4K/8K satellite broadcasting will finally begin next month on December 1st. At this year’s Inter BEE, there will be many exhibitions relating to the imminent launch of 4K/8K satellite broadcasting. 4K/8K keynote speeches by leaders from various broadcasting operators are also scheduled. I have great hopes that Inter BEE will play a significant role as we stand on the cusp of a new era of broadcasting about to start in two weeks time.”


Next, welcoming remarks were also provided by Toru Kunishige, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), and Hiroshi Yoshida, Deputy Director-General for IT Strategy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

■ "This will be a major force driving overall economic growth" - Toru Kunishige, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).
Mr. Kunishige spoke with great enthusiasm about the launch of 4K/8K satellite broadcasts. “On December 1st, 4K/8K satellite broadcasting finally gets underway. Viewers will soon be able to enjoy sensational programming filmed with the precise, colorful and highly-realistic images that only 4K/8K can provide. The eyes of the world will be on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, so both the private and public sectors must work together to speed up the proliferation and development of this viewing environment, in order to enable as many people as possible to watch these broadcasts."
He then expressed his hopes for the economic effects of broadcasting, video and communication technologies. “I have heard that the theme for this year’s Inter BEE will be to communicate the potential of new media to the world, and that a wide variety of equipment and services including 4K/8K, Internet distribution, and next-generation broadcasting technology will be unveiled here. The latest technology and products to lead the global broadcasting market will be a major force driving not only the development of the Japanese broadcasting sector, but of overall economic growth.”


■ "20 years have passed since the fusion of broadcasting and communications, and now we are linking up with other industries as well" - Hiroshi Yoshida, Deputy Director-General for IT Strategy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
Mr. Yoshida expressed his hopes for cooperative link-ups between broadcasting and communication technologies with other industries. “Around 20 years have passed since the phrase ‘fusion of communications and broadcasting’ was first used. Since then, transmission routes have changed and 4K/8K satellite broadcasting is about to start. The business environment, including smartphones, ICT, IoT, and AI has changed even faster and more dramatically. The ‘connected industries’ concept that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry came up with last year applies not only to the manufacturing industry but to the content and media industries as well. Using new technology to link-up with other industries and create new added values has now truly become a necessity.”

Mr. Yoshida also spoke about the changes in viewing formats with the advancements in device and Internet technologies, saying, "Thanks to smartphones and the Internet, the way content is being consumed has changed, with people able to watch whatever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want, on whatever device they choose. Under these circumstances, in order for content to succeed, it needs to successfully incorporate people's leisure time and spare moments." Mr. Yoshida also noted that in addition to the incorporation of new technologies, innovations in business and styles was indispensable to the success of the content business. "For that to happen, we need a new concept of what content means, including not only the content itself, but how it is provided, and how easy it is to use."
In addition, he pointed out that the content business was in the midst of a revolutionary period, saying, "At this year's exhibition, we see a great number of new technologies, such as VR and AR, which are blurring the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds. Where once digital content remained only in the domain of viewership, the concept of content has now become bigger and more widespread, with viewership and experience becoming a combined environment. We at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will continue to support these efforts to take on these enormous changes, adapting to consumer behaviors, or even incorporating these new technologies into content."

Finally, after a photo session which included all of the invited guests, TV announcer Rio Hirai, who performed MC duties, announced the start of Inter BEE 2018.
Inter BEE 2018 will be held for 3 days starting today, November 14th (Wednesday), until the 16th (Friday), at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Halls 1-8, the Event Hall, and the International Conference Hall.


[Event Overview]
■ Name:
Inter BEE 2018 / (54th) 2018 international broadcasting, audio and media technology exhibition

■ Dates:
2018, November 14th (Wednesday), 15th (Thursday) 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
November 16th (Friday) 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (3 days)

■ Venue:
Makuhari Messe (International Exhibition Halls 1-8, Event Hall, International Conference Hall)
2-1, Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-city, Chiba, Japan

■ Admission:
Free (registration required)

■ Organizer:
Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA)

■ Support:
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (order of ranking), NHK, The Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association, Association of Radio Industries and Businesses, Digital Content Association of Japan, The Association for Promotion of Advanced Broadcasting Services (no particular order)

* Admission is free. Prior registration is required for admission. All sessions require prior application in order to attend.