Efforts and Initiatives for Sustainable Business Events in Japan

With the many challenges common to all of humanity, such as climate change due to global warming and the depletion of natural resources, it is more essential than ever before to make business events sustainable. The Japanese business events industry is making the most of Japan's strengthssuch as its extensive public transport network, its clean and safe society, and the passing down of its unique culture to future generations-to strengthen its efforts to increase eco-friendliness and sustainability on multiple fronts.

Individual business event-related facilities are also taking positive steps in regard to SDGs. For example, PACIFICO Yokohama, a large MICE facility in Yokohama, has reduced water consumption by 65% through rainwater harvesting, and the recycling rate of waste generated in the facility has now reached approximately 90%. The Yokohama “Minato Mirai 21” area, where PACIFICO Yokohama is located, has been selected as a decarbonization leading area by Japan's Ministry of the Environment, and is working to build a model for decarbonizing metropolitan cities. Yokohama will host the 22nd World Congress of the International Federation of Automatic Control in July, which will bring together more than 2,500 delegates. The congress will enable the realization of a super-smart society through advances in areas such as the environment, energy, natural disasters, and health.

The International Conference Center ACROS Fukuoka, located in the west of Japan, has a rooftop green space to mitigate the heat island effect. It held 37,000 trees of 76 species in 1995 and now holds 200 species, brought in by birds. Fukuoka City will host the 27th Asian Pacific Congress of Rheumatology in 2025 with more than 3,000 participants.

Osaka, which will host the Osaka Kansai Expo in 2025, is focusing on the LGBTQ travel market as part of its efforts to create a diverse society. Proactive efforts are underway to accommodate travelers, including the launch of an LGBTQ website and the planning of events, and in 2024, Osaka will host the IGLTA Annual Global Convention, IGLTA’s first event in Asia.

In order to promote and educate Japanese local suppliers on the need for sustainability in business events, JNTO organized a seminar last year in partnership with IAPCO. JNTO will be releasing a new digital brochure in the coming months that will introduce Japan’s sustainable initiatives and strengths and inspire ideas for future business events in Japan. Please stay tuned!