Norio Sasaki, Chairman of the CEATEC JAPAN Executive Board

The reception began with a welcoming speech from Norio Sasaki, Chairman of the CEATEC JAPAN Executive Board.

“CEATEC JAPAN attracts a great deal of attention from all over the world as an event that broadcasts the most recent information on advances in IT and electronics. This year, CEATEC’s 15th anniversary, there are exhibitors from 24 countries and regions. As well as driving the Japanese economy, ICT is one of the key industries that support business and employment in Japan. The world faces many challenges, but by employing ICT, we are hoping to realize a safe, secure and comfortable society, and to pave the way for a bright future. This year our theme is ‘NEXT – Technology Makes the Future.’ Leading-edge technologies and innovations are gathered together under one roof, a venue for visitors to appreciate for themselves the outlook, the vision, the potential, and the future value of the IT and electronics industries. We believe that collaboration with other industries will lead to growth in mobility, healthcare, energy, wearables, robotics, etc. CEATEC visitors will discover these technical innovations and new lifestyle concepts here. And at the “NEXT Innovation Plaza” special exhibit we are highlighting the technical strengths of the IT and electronics industries, as well as the creation of new businesses.”

Kosaburo Nishime, State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications

Next, guest speaker Kosaburo Nishime, State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, expressed congratulations and his hopes for CEATEC JAPAN.

“The key issue for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is defeating deflation, with the economy given highest priority. The Cabinet’s mission is to ensure that all of Japan is able to experience true economic recovery. And, to ensure that the economy’s virtuous cycle continues to turn, it is vital that we develop ever stronger capabilities in ICT, which is the foundation for economic activity. It is my fervent hope that this year’s CEATEC will trigger new ICT applications and new growth. We aim to make Japan the most active country in the world through technical innovation in the field of ICT, and in June this year we finalized the Smart Japan ICT Strategy. This also has a large role to play in the Japan revitalization strategy – Japan Is Back. At the 2020 Summer Olympics & Paralympics, we want visitors from all over the world to enjoy a truly world-class ICT environment; it will also be an important opportunity to demonstrate to the World Japan’s advanced technologies and logistics capabilities. In the lead-up to 2020, we are encouraging cooperation between government, industry and academia to achieve this, and at the same time promoting the pervasive use of ICT to create the world’s most advanced social infrastructure.”

Daishiro Yamagiwa, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Ribbon-cutting ceremony

Daishiro Yamagiwa, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, also made a congratulatory speech in which he discussed the potential of IT and his hopes for the future of the industry.

“It is two years since Prime Minister Abe took office, and the growth strategy that is the ‘third arrow’ of Abenomics differs from previous growth strategies. It is something that evolves on a daily basis, and its most vital component is supported by IT. It can be said that Japan is ahead of most other countries in having to face many challenges – including problems related to energy, an ageing infrastructure, and a population that is rapidly graying. Solving these problems will serve to revitalize Japan’s economy. I am certain that IT is the most important part; it is here that we shall find the means to solve these issues. IT is playing a role in fields that until now have not been directly related to it – energy, mobility, healthcare, and agriculture. I have heard that this year’s CEATEC includes many exhibits from these fields, in each of which IT is acting as a catalyst to initiate a chemical reaction. It is my hope that this CEATEC JAPAN functions as a vessel for many such energetic reactions – and that as a result a new growth strategy emerges.”