Japan's most prestigious jewellery exhibition focused on retailer buying for the upcoming Christmas and Year-End season, the Japan Jewellery Fair, opened its doors today with 450 companies from 11 countries around the world exhibiting an extensive array of high-end jewellery, pearls, diamonds, gemstones and accessories.

The Fair, organised by the Japan Jewellery Association and UBM, organizer of the world's largest jewellery exhibition in Hong Kong as well as many other Asian cities, marks its 26th edition this year. The Japan Jewellery Fair is a trade-only exhibition that features parallel events such as the unveiling of the winners of the 2018 Japan Jewellery Association's (JJA) Jewellery Design Awards, the announcement of the "Jeweller's Choice Woman of the Year," and a full program of fashion shows, seminars and workshops.

"Demand for exhibit space at this year's show has been high reflecting the current buoyancy of Japan's jewellery market. The increase in international tourists visiting Japan is driving growth in retail sales across the board including luxury items such as jewellery. Retailers such as jewellery shops and department stores use the Japan Jewellery Fair to place their orders for the all-important Christmas and Year-End retailer season. We are also seeing growing numbers of professional buyers from overseas visiting the Fair to source products from Japan as they are guaranteed the best quality and highly competitive prices. We are looking forward to a busy show over the next three days."

Japan Jewellery Fair 2018 Highlights:

Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, Visits Japan Jewellery Fair

As one of Japan's highest-profile politicians, Ms. Koike is regularly in the news and wears sophisticated and stylish pieces of jewellery when in public. So we were delighted that she visited the Japan Jewellery Fair today to meet the winner of the Governor of Tokyo Award in JJA Jewellery Design Contest and talk about the importance of the jewellery industry.

2018 JJA Jewellery Design Awards - The Most Important Jewellery Design Competition in Japan

Today the Japan Jewellery Association (JJA) officially announced the winners of the 2017 edition of the JJA Jewellery Design Awards today. The design awards are regarded as the most prestigious jewellery design competition in Japan with a 29-year history. The award-winning jewellery items were featured in a lavish catwalk fashion show and have been put on display in a special event zone for the duration of the Fair.

Yasuko Matsuyuki Chosen as 2018 Woman of the Year

Each year the Japan Jewellery Fair selects an outstanding woman personality as the winner of "Jeweller's Choice Woman of the Year." This year,Yasuko Matsuyuki, one of the most popular actresses in Japan, was chosen and she will make a stage appearance to talk about her recent career and her thoughts on jewellery on the second day of the Fair.

Spotlight on Pearls

This year the Japan Jewellery Association and the Japan Pearl Promotion Society have launched a nationwide campaign to promote pearls. Under the slogan of "Pearls at Twenty", the campaign is aimed at encouraging young women who are coming of age to appreciate the beauty, versatility and utility of owning a set of pearls. A special seminar will be held at Japan Jewellery Fair to highlight the campaign.

SOURCE UBM Japan Co., Ltd.