CEATEC Japan Show Promoters Plan ‘IoT Town’ as ‘Special Exhibit’

CEATEC Japan, the annual consumer technology expo that has had declining attendance and exhibitor participation in recent years, will be “reborn” in 2016 as an IoT “venue,” promoters said in a Monday announcement. “IoT Town” will be a “special exhibit” at the 2016 show “to visualize and contribute to the creation of a future in which a connected society will benefit from the profound potential” of IoT, they said. Japan is “dealing with a myriad of social issues ranging from an aging population and low birth rate, environmental and energy issues, disaster prevention and safety to healthcare,” they said. “The question is how to enhance and manage society and the lives of its people in the face of such looming challenges. Cutting edge technologies will play a role in tackling these issues, but at the same time, the creation of a ‘forum’ made up of multiple dedicated players to collaboratively contemplate the future is indispensable.” The 2016 show opens Oct. 4 for a four-day run at the Makuhari Messe exhibition center in Chiba.