NEWS & VIEWS
October 2018
9
Inter BEE 2018 highlights the
possibilities of new media
TOKYO – Under the slogan of Telling the
World of the Possibilities of New Media, Inter
BEE 2018 will return to the Makuhari Messe
convention centre in Tokyo from November
14-16, with the intention to build on a proud
tradition of bringing together innovations
in the broadcast, video, audio, lighting and
media businesses.
Organised by the Japan Electronics and
Information Technology Industries Associa-
tion (JEITA), Inter BEE is now entering into
its 54th edition, and comes as Japan edges
closer to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which
Japanese public broadcaster NHK will be
broadcasting in 8K.
By December 1 this year, 4K/Ultra HD
(UHD)/8K satellite broadcasting will com-
mence in Japan, and Inter BEE 2018 will be
proposing new video and audio technologies
to broadcast and communication businesses
and content creators. Inter BEE 2018 will also
highlight the potential of 5G in the media
and entertainment fields in preparation for
the 2020 launch of commercial services in
Japan.
After a successful Inter BEE 2017, where
a record 38,083 visitors interacted with 1,139
exhibiting companies, this year’s show will
continue to provide a platform for business
trading and information exchange by bring-
ing the latest innovations together under one
roof — and to present new user experiences
in the media and entertainment field.
According to the show organiser, Inter
BEE aims to develop itself into a “compre-
hensive media exhibition”, with an emphasis
on content, from “making” (production),
to “sending” (transmission), to “receiving”
(experience) content.
For the first time, Inter BEE will also be
held in conjunction with Digital Contents
(DC) Expo, which had been traditionally held
at the National Museum of Emerging Science
and Innovation in Koto City, Tokyo. Digital
Inter BEE 2018 will look to build on the success of Inter BEE 2017, where a record 38,083 visitors
walked the halls of the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Tokyo.
Contents Expo will introduce a diversity of
technologies to enrich content production,
including virtual reality (VR), augmented
reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), 3D, com-
puter graphics (CG), artificial intelligence (AI),
drones and robotics.
Content technology is the lifeblood of
the content industry, said Kensuke Ichihara,
senior executive director of the Digital Con-
tent Association of Japan.
He explained: “The prime mover behind
the growth of the Japanese content industry,
and which makes new modes of expression
possible, is advanced content technology.’
“DC Expo has always showcased demonstra-
tions and prototype exhibitions of the most
trailblazing technology being researched
and developed at research institutions and
in-company ventures.
According to Ichihara, the DC Expo
has consistently focused on high-potential
technologies that will bring forth new busi-
nesses, including creations
in the pre-commercial
phase, for which eventual
business applications may
remain unclear. “Currently,
DC Expo is involved in
showcasing a variety of
technologies for which
the practical applications
continue to be advanced
— including VR, AR and
projection mapping,” he
continued.
“Being able to in-
troduce advanced tech-
nologies to creators and
Currently, DC Expo is involved in
development par tners
showcasing a variety of technologies for
represents a commercial
opportunity for the busi-
which the practical applications continue
nesses that deal with them.
Along with driving compe-
to be advanced — including VR, AR and
tition in the Japanese con-
projection mapping.
tent industry, new content
businesses offer a chance
— Kensuke Ichihara, Senior Executive Director, Digital
for development of part-
Content Association of Japan
ner businesses to greater
(For the first time, the Digital Content Expo will be
widen their market.”
held in conjunction with Inter BEE.)
Heralding the com-
bined hosting of the DC Expo and Inter BEE,
Ichihara expressed his desire to stimulate
the thinking of those who work daily on the
sites of film, drama and interactive content
production, and to enable more research to
be turned into practical products, as well as
the birth of joint projects between manufac-
turers’ development partners and exhibitors.
He added: “The creation of new busi-
nesses using advanced content technology
is not just about promoting the content
industry; the ripple effect of the expansion
of the content market can also be expected
to have a positive influence on related in-
dustries such as IT.”
Noting that Japan has been consistently
producing highly individual content post-
war, Ichihara described how this enterprise
has been brought forward to the Internet
era, where self-published works such as
blog novels and video uploads have been
of sufficient quality to be turned into major
productions.
“It seems that opportunities abound for
content produced in the period after the war
until now, borne of various societal changes
from economic growth to the ageing of the
population.
“Just as Japan continues to birth invig-
orating new content businesses and lead
the way for the future of content, so I hope
for the DC Expo to continue to effectively
show off the latest advanced technologies,”
he concluded.
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