Comprehensive Trade Show for Cutting-Edge IT & Electronics CEATEC JAPAN 2007 Opens Tomorrow at Makuhari Messe.

TOKYO -- The CEATEC JAPAN Organizing Committee announced today that CEATEC JAPAN 2007, the world's most comprehensive exhibition of cutting-edge information technology (IT) and electronics technologies, will open from tomorrow through Saturday, October 6, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture. The sponsors of CEATEC JAPAN 2007 are the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), Communications and Information network Association of Japan (CIAJ) and Computer Software Association of Japan (CSAJ).

* Show Theme: Experience the Frontline of Digital Convergence 

With the rapid development of digital technologies has come profound change in the fields of imaging, information and communications equipment and systems. At the same time, the expansion of information technology (IT) infrastructures has led to new convergence in areas such as broadcasting, communications and the Internet. All of these factors are combining to create new businesses, markets and industries.

Digital convergence represents the coming together of technologies, products, industries and markets under the umbrella of digital technologies, as well as the process by which these developments are absorbed into new industries and markets.

In 2007, at the eighth staging of CEATEC JAPAN, visitors will be able to witness industry and market trends in the IT and electronics fields. They will also experience new business styles and lifestyles by understanding the value-added technologies, products and services, the changes to our society, lifestyles and commerce, and the new industries and markets wrought by digital convergence.

* Details of the 2007 Show

This year, a total of 895 companies and other organizations, including 348 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions worldwide, have registered to exhibit in 3,199 booths. This is the largest combination of exhibitors and exhibition area in the show's history. Of particular note is the increasingly global aspect of the show. This year's foreign exhibitors comprise 39% of the total, an increase of 65 exhibitors from 2006.

CEATEC JAPAN 2006 had 807 exhibitors in 2,936 booth spaces, including 283 foreign exhibitors from 26 countries and regions. More than 200,000 visitors are expected to come to this year's show.

Reflecting the expanded scale of the show and efforts by the organizers to improve the environment for visitors, this year will see an increase in the number of rest areas on the show floor and wider aisles between booths. In addition, CEATEC JAPAN will make use of all the facilities available at Makuhari Messe, including Halls 1 to 11, the Event Hall and the International Conference Hall.

* Electronic Components, Devices and Industrial Equipment Stage (Halls 4-8)

The cutting-edge technologies and products on display in this stage (Halls 4 to 8 in 2007) sustain the creation of revolutionary innovations, new industries and new markets. This year, the stage will open under the theme "Monozukuri Innovation: Starting from Electronic Components and Devices."

This stage boasts 567 exhibitors, or 63% of the total in 45% of the overall booth spaces. These figures highlight the importance of the electronic components, devices and industrial equipment fields to the industry as a whole.

CEATEC JAPAN 2007 will once again offer the Must-See Item Navigation corner in the 2nd floor mall above the show floor. Here, the 137 central products of exhibitors in the stage will be introduced using panels printed in Japanese and English and divided by target end product in the five categories of Digital Home Appliances, Networks, Automotive, Home Appliances and Business Machines, and Industrial Equipment.

In addition, several Special Exhibits will be opened in this stage in the three categories of information systems, body systems and control systems. The Automotive Pavilion will feature exhibits on the expanding usage of IT and electronics by the automotive industry. The Advanced Jisso Process Technology Pavilion will introduce packaging technologies making possible smaller end products with more advanced functions. The Cross-Sector Interchange Pavilion, a center for interaction between university and other research institutions and industry, will promote the sharing of information on new achievements and the fostering of new talent for the electronics and IT industries. And the MONOZUKURI PLAZA will be a special corner introducing innovations that make possible the creation of new industries.

On October 6, the last day of the show, children and their parents will experience the fun and fascination of monozukuri, or new product creation, in the Juniors and Kids Electronic Workshop. In the Event Hall, visitors will be able to see monozukuri in action via the Paper Airplane Workshop, the Robot Football Corner, the New Radio-Controlled Model Corner and the Rescue Robot Exhibit and Demonstration.

* Digital Network Stage (Halls 1-3 and 9-11)

Digital technologies in our living and working environments, in wireless networks, automobiles, broadcasting and a host of other areas, are an increasingly vital element in the realization of a more abundant and creative global community. The Digital Network Stage is divided into the Home & Personal Zone (Halls 1-3 and 9-11) and the Business & Society Zone (Halls 9-11).

This stage includes 328 exhibitors, or 37% of the total and 55% of the overall show space. The main new feature in 2007 is the enhanced presence of exhibitors in fields related to digital contents.

CEATEC JAPAN 2007 will feature the Digital Contents Pavilion, a new Special Exhibit shining the spotlight on one of the core industries upholding the age of digital convergence. In addition, CEATEC JAPAN is working with the Japan International Contents Festival 2007 (CoFesta 2007) to open the Digital Contents Collaboration Square, which will bring together exhibits from contents creators, hardware makers and software producers. CoFesta 2007 started on September 19 as part of efforts by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry  (METI) to promote Japan's contents industries through activities to create new contents based on the linking of contents, software and hardware businesses.

On October 4, CEATEC JAPAN 2007 will sponsor the Contents Festival Reception, a special social event designed to use interaction to support the development efforts of industries related to digital contents, particularly on an international level. On October 6, the Digital Contents Workshop for the Whole Family will be held in Hall 8. This one-day Special Exhibit will let visitors experience cutting-edge visual technologies under the themes of 3D imaging, high-definition cameras and the virtual world of Second Life.

The Digital Network Stage is home to several highly topical exhibits by the show sponsors. These Sponsor Exhibits include the RFID Pavilion, introducing new technologies and applications of radio-frequency identification, as well as the HATS Plaza, Accessibility Plaza, and Exciting Experience: The Innovative Technology of Digital Broadcasting exhibit. The Joho Daikokai Consortium Project (Uncharted Waters of Information Consortium Project) will present services that meet new communications needs in daily life and business. u-Japan Best Practices 2007, held as part of the government's u-Japan policy to realize a truly ubiquitous society by the year 2010, will highlight applications of information and communications technologies to resolve diverse issues in our living and working environments. The NET KADEN 2007 (Networked Home Appliances 2007) exhibit will present a variety of special programs and the awarding of this year's NET KADEN Grand Prize for the products and technologies that contribute most to new lifestyles.

* Topical Keynote Speeches and Diverse Conference Programs

CEATEC JAPAN 2007 will feature 18 Keynote Speeches by industry and opinion leaders. The opening day of the show will see speeches by Mr. Katsuhiko Machida (Chairman and CEO, Sharp Corporation), Mr. Kaoru Yano (President, NEC Corporation), Mr. Shigefumi Wada (President, OBIC Business Consultants Co., Ltd.), Mr. Yasutoshi Magara (Managing Director, Microsoft Japan) and Mr. Mitsuhiko Yamashita (Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.). Keynote Speeches will be held daily through Friday, October 5.

The highly acclaimed CEATEC JAPAN Conference will offer some 150 sessions, including Trend Sessions, Advance Sessions, Special Sessions and Contents Festival Sessions, Industrial Systems Track, Software & Solutions Track and Communications Network Track. At the Asia Business Support Conference, to be held for the first time in 2007, special speakers, including guests from the People's Republic of China, will provide information of value to companies with operations in Asia, including the latest IT and electronics trends, and hints at maximizing the skills of local employees. Exhibitors will also hold their own presentations and seminars to introduce their latest technologies, products and services.

http://www.ceatec.com

For further information, please contact Mr. Torikai or Mr. Horai at the CEATEC JAPAN 2007 Press Center (043-295-4633), open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from October 2 to October 6. After October 6, please contact Mr. Torikai or Ms. Nishiyama at the CEATEC JAPAN Management Office in the Japan Electronics Show Association:

Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail]